Why ‘Hacking’ Can Help You Win The Battle, But Not The War

It was a regular Saturday morning and I had just logged on to a call that was to be a coaching session requested by a young man who had reached out to me on a social platform. On my screen was my coachee's face - energetic and decorated with a broad and grateful smile. Being the man of protocol that I am, I started the session by asking him what a good outcome would look like. He pondered over it for a bit, and then began to paint a picture. "Ummm....so there are a couple of obstacles I am facing at my company and it would be great if I could get some clarity around how to tackle them...I'll give you more context. Also, I have lately been feeling like I might be able to swing an early promotion in the October cycle and I would like to pick up from you at least 3 to 4 career hacks that I can deploy to help me make that promotion a reality".?

Nothing out of the ordinary, right? And yet, I found myself feeling somewhat uneasy about that last line. More specifically, about the word?"hacks". At first I could not pinpoint why, so I decided to dig deeper and figure out what the sore spot was.

After some research and a lot of reflection, I reached the conclusion that my discomfort arose out of a much broader concern around the way the term ‘hacking’ is increasingly being used in today’s professional landscape. The way it has come to stand for the allure of using shortcuts and quick fixes to achieve lofty goals in record time. We’ve all come across those clickbait-y headlines promising “5 investment hacks to become wealthy in just 12 months” (just an example). In many ways, ‘hacking’ has become synonymous with the darker side of the famous ‘desi jugaad’ approach we Indians are known for.

[ A quick sidebar - 'Hacking' is actually a multi-faceted word. While the Oxford?dictionary equates it to 'cutting things in a rough way' or 'accessing a computer without permission', there are examples of its usage with positive?connotations too - e.g. 'hackathon'. But the focus of this article is on the increasing usage of this word to subtly imply 'taking the shortcut to glory'?]

While it’s important to acknowledge the value of jugaad, which can be a resourceful way to navigate challenges, the concern arises when hacking perpetuates the idea that hard work and patience are optional. I’ve noticed a growing number of professionals who prioritize hacking their way into prestigious organizations by 'cracking' interviews, rather than carefully considering mutual fit. An increasing number of founders I speak to are obsessed with hacking their way to early funding rounds or to unicorn status, driven more by the desire for quick success than the long-term viability of their ventures. And something about those aspirations doesn't feel right.

Let’s give credit where it’s due though. Jugaad can help anyone make progress, and those who can hack their way through tasks and projects often excel in the corporate system. But the question is - can one truly hack their way to the top? And even if they do, can they sustain that success?

The answer, according to popular wisdom, is a resounding NO. Would Sachin Tendulkar have achieved the kind of enduring success he did, if he had chosen to hack his way into the national cricket team? Did Steve Jobs leave behind the legacy he did because he knew how to hack his way through technological innovation? Most likely not. The seasoned CEOs I’ve had the privilege of speaking to credit hard work, consistency, and patience as the key factors behind their success.

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? Does it mean we should abandon the pursuit of hacks and slow down, that too in this era of exponential change? What if our competitors are using hacks to gain an advantage over us?

In my personal view, the key lies in striking a balance. We must acknowledge that enduring success necessitates consistent effort , hard work and patience. Our careers are more like Test Matches won through a combination of talent and strategic moves, rather than T20 matches won through speedy tactical hits. Internalizing and practicing this is the Foundation that wins the war. On top of that Foundation, we should continuously seek ethical hacks that foster creative innovation — a set of micro strategies that help us win the battles. And therein lies the balance

I feel that the need of the hour is for the current generation of professionals to embrace the power of a balanced approach to career development. By combining talent, strategy, and innovative thinking, we can navigate our careers with integrity and achieve long-term success.

What are your thoughts on 'hacking'? And how do you strike the balance between short term hacks and long term moves when it comes to managing your own career? Do share in the comments section