Curiosity stream #9 : Winning in Life is all about margins -or is it ?

It's been couple of days since India won the T20 Cricket world cup 2024 , an ICC World-cup trophy after a long wait for 13 years, bringing elation and joy to billions of Indians.

As I reflect on the victory and sequence of events which unfolded in the entire tournament there were multiple things which went right for the Indian team and each of the playing eleven member and the support staff had a role to play.

But eventually it came down to that blinder of the catch by Surya(SKY) which sealed the deal and got us the championship. I would have seen the replay for that catch at least 100 times by now and i am left wondering by the reality that how a catch taken 2 Centimeters away from the boundary changed and probably will re-shape the history of Indian Cricket and players who played the game, forever. I am also reminded of 2023 ODI Cricket world cup final on 19th Nov where Jasprit Bumrah bowled a menacing out swinger to Travis head on the fourth ball of third over only to miss hitting the stumps by 2 Centimeters and rest was history.

Two similar situations with World Cup on line and 2 contrasting results.

Difference 'Margin of 2 Centimeters'

One led to agony which lasted 8 months and another led to ecstasy and Joy.

We've all heard the motivational mantras: "Aim high!" "Shoot for the stars!" While ambition is crucial I want to explore a different perspective: Life, and perhaps success itself, is all about margins.

The corporate world mirrors this reality. Mergers can hinge on fractions of a percentage point in negotiations. Large orders can be snatched away by competitors after bidding wars with few point difference in pricing. A single line of code, missed during testing, can bring a multi-million dollar project to its knees.

But margins are a double-edged sword.

Here's where the "or is it?" comes in. Focusing solely on margins can breed a culture of micromanagement, stifling creativity and innovation. Think of a company so obsessed with efficiency that they miss out on disruptive opportunities.

So, what's the sweet spot?

The key is to find the right balance between ambition and calculated risk-taking.

• Focus on process excellence, and leave room for opportunity to strike.- Surya in his Post match presentation shared that how they have been used to practicing these catching techniques during fielding drills. He just used that muscle memory when the opportunity came
• Celebrate small wins, as they contribute to the overall margin of success.- after each match since the last ODI World-Cup and the tradition which continued in this T20 world cup too, Fielding Coach of Indian team presents a 'Best Fielder Award' for that match, igniting the spark in each of the player to give their best everytime.
• Set aggressive goals, but acknowledge the possibility of unforeseen challenges- Rohit Sharma (Indian cricket team captain) has been harboring his dream to hold a World Cup trophy for the last so many years and came so close in Nov'23 only to be left waiting for 8 more months. But as someone said - It was 'God's plan baby'.

Life, like any game, is a complex dance. It's about pushing boundaries, leaving room for chance, and learning from both victories and defeats. Remember, the margins may be thin, but they are ultimately what separate good from great, and winners from losers.

Let's spark a conversation! Share your thoughts on the role of margins in your career journey. Have you ever experienced a close call, a win by a hair's breadth, or a loss that felt like a punch in the gut? How did you adapt and overcome?

Signing off until next time! #staycurious

Salil