Of moles and molars

Of moles and molars

Last month, I took two root canal treatments for a couple of my ill-treated teeth. I spent a considerable time at the clinic either waiting for my turn or while the procedure was on. During that period, I had a chance to observe and reflect on several things, including the formation and functioning of our teeth, how dentists correct several deformities, etc.,?

I thought I would share some of my learnings with you:

God gave us different types of teeth and uniformly positioned them at appropriate places. Each tooth has a specific role and does its' job consistently well until we ill-treat.?

Each tooth brings its strength, and the functioning is complementary to the other. All of them work in tandem. They collectively act as a gateway to the rest of the body.

Undoubtedly, God deployed the best design thinking minds and ensured smart engineering. I am grateful to him for providing us with such a key ability.

But what if the design is a bit different from the current one? For instance, what if a molar tooth was placed at the front? What about a Canine tooth taking over a place and position of a premolar? What if one premolar is longer than its counterpart at the top or bottom? What if one tooth wants to grow bigger and occupy or dominate the position of the tooth next to it??

Thank God none of them happened. Because thankfully, God made those.?

But what about the great Human intellect? What do we do differently? Let us see.

In many ways, an organization's leadership structure resembles the teeth structure.?

However, we often confuse their roles and (mis)place them. We implant a molar at a place meant for a canine and so on. Some leaders play favorites and allow some gifted teeth to outgrow. In this process, the marginalized tooth falls down, the neglected tooth gets decayed, and so on. The neglected molar tooth ends up being a mole and starts housing bacteria. We continue to do this jugglery until the entire structure is disturbed and disarrayed.?

With such a misaligned structure, junk finds its way inside. The organization loses its biting and chewing abilities, and the entire system is collapsed.?

Think about it.

  • What is your leadership structure??
  • How is it designed and engineered??
  • Does each tooth know its function and purpose??
  • Does each tooth collaborate with the one next or opposite to it??
  • Is there any tooth trying to outgrow the other??
  • Is there any tooth trying to outgrow the team??
  • How often do they experience bruxism?
  • Who is in charge of identifying the decay and treatment? Is that person fully 'in' charge and fully charged??
  • Finally, how charming is the 'smile' of your organization?

Slow down and step back. Take some time to review the position purpose and collaboration protocols. If our car wheels require periodic alignment and re-calibration, our roles need them too!?

Started grinding your teeth? Just smile!?

Let me know your thoughts.?

Best wishes

SuRaM

Rufus Carvalho

Team Lead at BNY Mellon

2 年

A very great analogy. Something which we have to really reflect in our day to day business activities in any organization.

Jignesh Mankad

Let's Prosper Together

2 年

Interesting read, but what needs to be done carefully over here is, the positioning. It needs to be done on the basis of #skills rather than just going by #academics . We are working in an #agile environment and #decisionmaking for determining "who can do what" is very complex. Someone might be having degree in #finance but he may be excellent at #marketing

Lakshmikanth darbha

Head Delivery ai & Analytics at TechM BPS

2 年

Hey Suram, the analogy is perfect and i really loved your article. I remembered another analogy where a Tongues role (Reporting Manager with his subordinates) how the reporting manager should behave amongst his reportees who represent the canines and molars of their team and how the tongue should mind its words for the backlash of the bites by the teetch. ??

Krupakaran A

Board Member, Knowledge Committee-iNFHRA, Principal Consultant AKS IT Services, Independent Director, Author, Mentor

2 年

SuRaM - firstly appreciate your efforts in emphasising the rule, right man for the right job. Yes, if its placed, the result is bound to be good and not to be marred by any extraneous factors pushing the wrong man for the job / position. I do have an observation that your stating,"We implant a molar at a place meant for a canine and so on", is sort of misplaced and casts aspersions on a profession. Just felt like bringing it to your attention on the analogy used.

Cedric S.

Operations Expertise across, Banking, Wealth Management and Insurance

2 年

Hope you are feeling better now Subba. The only thing that comes to my mind on reading this is the famous pit stop tyre change that happens in seconds. Each one has a job, come together and the music happens! It’s nothing short of magic when all parts of an organisation move in harmony and it doesn’t come by fluke!

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