20 1/2 lessons over 20 years

5th May marked the completion of 20 years of my professional career, 20 years at HUL – a milestone that is not just a testament to my loyalty but to this amazing organization. A milestone like this cannot be let pass uneventfully, something notable must mark this moment – and I couldn’t think of a better way but to let the writer in me take charge.

In this article (first of three such articles), I bring to you “20 ? personal (and occasionally provocative) lessons I have learnt over these 20 years Why three articles, you wonder? Find that out at the end of this article ??

1. In decision making – to rely on “Gut” Or “Data”?

Well, to begin with “gut-based decision making” is a misnomer. The gut doesn’t think, nor does it feel – it's your “experience/knowledge” on which your so-called “gut feeling” is based. So, until you have significant experience or knowledge on a subject, base your decisions on data. (Unless the decision is linked to eating or pooping, in that case trust your gut. Always! ??)

2. Lifer v/s Hopper – which one to be?

Some people are “lifers” – they have longer tenures with organizations while some are “hoppers” – they go through organizations like a man hopping on rocks to cross a river bed. Which philosophy holds greater merit? Actually - both choices are fine, neither is wrong. The merit lies in the reason behind each individual choice.

3. Is “Karma” really that divine leveller?

Well, bad things don’t always happen to bad people and sometimes good things don’t happen to good people.

Still its nicer to believe we live in a universe where such a law applies. So, maybe you choose to believe it!?

4. Standing against authority?

It is more a matter of tact than grit! Don’t be fooled to think otherwise. And don’t be reckless!!

5. Risktaker – to be or not to be

Humans are wired, in general, to be more “risk averse” than “risk taking”.  So, in most situations, it is good advise to be a risk taker. And don’t worry too much about goofing up “too badly” – organizations are money making machines, they have checks and balances in place to ensure you don’t goof up too bad ??. Make bold risky moves – its good for organizations as well - most large organizations are stuck experiencing “middling” performance simply in absence of the same.

6. Skill building – depth v/s width

Building cross functional knowledge may seem such a waste of time but it just isn’t. Imagine your organization is like the European continent and each function is like a language in that continent (French, German, Dutch, English…). Imagine if you could speak each of these languages (even if not well!), how well would engage with your fellowmen across the continent, elicit support from them and accelerate your understanding of the organization! Organizations face business problems and seek business solutions, the better the appreciation of the various functions, the more likely you have a solution that works for the business

7. Peer comparison - is inevitable, but what does it get you?

Today you could envy someone for landing placement at a better company than yours, 2 years hence you could envy someone else for landing a better role in the company, a year later you could envy someone for getting a promotion sooner than you, 2 years hence you could envy someone for landing an international assignment, a year later someone for being put on a special high visibility project….each year, or every other year you will find one or another reason to envy someone for being in a situation better than yourself….

Many years from now, none of these will matter, none will necessarily adversely impact your career…so spare yourself the heartburn and loss of sleep. Career paths are like a multiverse – each pathway creates a new parallel universe and each person creates a different universe for her/himself basis the choices made by them, from the options offered to them. The only thing constant across all these universes is that hardworking people are doing well and better than those who are not.

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If you have managed to reach this far, clearly you are raring for more….but learning is truly embedded only when we reflect on what we have learned. So before we go to the next set of learnings, take time to reflect on what you read. 

Next set of learnings to follow next week.