Of Challenges and Consequences

As we grow older, we are very much expected to be much wiser. To gain wisdom, we have to take challenges, so that only we can know how far we can reach.

 

Last week in the offsite training session, the remarkable journey undergone by a group of people really tickled my mind. The group of people who had done the work in 355 days can now deliver in mere 59 days. They proved it. They became benchmark all around the world. Amazing. The same group of people. No one got retrenched. The conclusion was - it is not the people we have do not have the competency or capability, it is just that people don't realize they have such capability and potential. They don't know they have the potential, or simply their potential has not been unlocked. The job of a leader is to unlock the potential in their followers.

 

Leaders must first walk the talk, to do that, you must first demonstrate the way. A movie starring Al Pacino "Inch-by-Inch" showcases that we must know where is that inch. We can either be 1 inch slower or 1 inch faster. But unless we try, we will never know where our inch is.

 

I was told that this is a dramatic move for a career. Well, unless I try, I will not know where my inch is. Successful people are people who have failed and rise up from their failure, not from people who have never tried and hence, never failed. We'll see how it goes.

 

I have also received a book written by Jim Collins on How Organizations Fail, which is the same author that wrote "From Good to Great" and "Built to Last". It is amazing to note that companies that have been successful eventually fail when they did not work harder or agile enough to move with the change in environment. The book just illustrates at organization level. The same concept actually applies to individuals. We have to continue learning new things and stay alert, stay relevant. Just like Steve Job's remarks in Stanford's Commencement Day - Stay Foolish.

 

You know that thing called "Facebook", such an amazing creation. Down memory lane, I browsed through chats with my friend Arwah Rosmiza. What she had gone through and how I would imagine if she is alive today. If only she knew her days were numbered, she would have done so much more. Gone to many more places, seen more people, done so much of voluntary works, good deeds to family members and friends, if only she knew. That's 1 point that I learn.

 

Take the risk, try it. Stretch it. Learn from failure. Keep the limit high. Go for it. What's the worst that can happen?