Friday thoughts . . .

Happy Friday!

As we are inching toward the end of the year, it’s natural to look back and reflect. As I mull over it, here are a few things I am celebrating and reflecting on.?

• First and foremost, I am elated to share that I have successfully completed the 1st?year of my 2-year MA Literature program in Telugu. On the surface, this completion may seem like a result of individual effort, but success seldom is?My professors, cohort, and family has played a significant part in this success. –?Individual?success.
• Speaking of success, how do we define success? Let’s take an example from the FIFA world cup. Of the 32 countries competing in the world cup, there will only be one winner. However, the tremendous hard work and a great display of sportsmanship exhibited by the Croatian and Moroccan teams that led them to the semi-finals is nothing short of success - in my opinion.?–?Team?success.
• Last week, Time magazine named “Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” the Ukrainian president, as the person of the year. Even after 10 months into the war, Ukraine never gave up, even though they were not a match to its rival in size, power, and finances. Ukraine’s leader successfully kept the spirit of Ukraine alive for all his countrymen. He was also successful in compelling the world’s business and political leaders to notice and take a stand?–?Leadership?success.

What I like to define as success differs from the prized result. Instead, I would invest the time in a disciplined approach toward a goal, as results will ensue sooner or later. Let me relate these to our day-to-day activities at the workplace.

• Let’s say you wanted to get a certification, contribute to an open-source project, read certain books, or anything else. As you reflect on the year passing by, were you able to do it? If you did great. If not, measure your success by how sincerely you worked towards it. If you have a disciplined approach, you sure will accomplish it in time. –?Individual?success.
• Thankfully, we are not operating on a football field, so collaboration takes precedence over the competition at the workplace. As you reflect, was the effort evenly distributed across all the team members, or were a few carrying most of the weight all the time? How much effort are we spending in building relations for cross-team collaboration? –?Team?success.
• In the technology space, we all experience our share of crises and chaos. Let’s say your production system went down. It may or may not be your team’s making. As you look back at it, what stood out for you? How did you or your leader act in those testing times? Did you take ownership in helping and encouraging the team to find a solution first, or try to pass the buck to someone? –?Leadership?success.

Let me close with this quote, “Successful teams don’t happen by accident – they are made, not born.”

What’s your definition of success? What are some of your most cherished success stories this year? I hope everyone is taking time to celebrate and reflect on this holiday season.

Stay safe, Stay healthy, and Stay blessed. Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.