Clear on Intent

What is the primary intent in having cabin-crew on board a commercial aircraft? Well, it is to ensure passenger safety.? The Merriam-Webster dictionary’s meaning of the word “intent” is “having the mind, attention, or will concentrated on something or some end or purpose.”? “Intentness” is its noun form.

The French origin NGO, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) has been providing medical care to people regardless of race, religion, gender, or politics, in more than 70 countries. Their care receivers are often people who cannot access medical care because of who they are or where they live.? MSF’s care, compassion, and determination are without borders.?? Their intent: to mobilize quickly and efficiently to provide lifesaving medical care to the people who need it most, whether those needs are in the spotlight or not.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is India’s premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and education.? IISc is creating the next generation of physician-scientists in India by fostering interdisciplinary research, to address the healthcare needs of the world.? With this need in mind, and with a large heart to give, philanthropist couples Susmita and Subroto Bagchi, and Radha and N.S. Parthasarathy collectively donated ?425 crore (USD 50+ Mil) to IISc to set up a postgraduate medical college and an 800-bed multi-specialty hospital on its Bengaluru campus. The Bagchis and Parthasarathys had a shared intent and belief that they must spend their money for this larger good in their own lifetime.

A few years ago, when one of the greatest cricketers of our times, Virat Kohli, was looking at regaining his batting form and getting back to scoring runs like the run machine that he is, it was his dogged intent and will that made it happen.

Whether it is an act of philanthropy or an organization in the service of mankind or a sportsperson regaining form to get back into winning ways, or individuals at their job, the common focus is the intent - staying the course. To do that, one must have intentness.

In his May 2024 commencement address at Duke University, comedian Jerry Seinfeld told the graduating students, “Just be willing to do your work as hard as you can with the ability you have.?Make an effort.? Effort always yields a positive value.? Don’t blame work.?Work is wonderful. I definitely will not be looking back on my life wishing I worked less.”? The comedian that he is, Seinfeld quipped, “If that’s not how you feel at work. Quit. On your lunch break. Disappear. Make people go. What happened to that guy? I don’t know, he said he was getting something to eat. Never came back.” ???

Seinfeld added, “Don’t think about having, think about becoming. Having is fine, but focus on becoming.”

Becoming is intent realized by taking purposeful actions.