The Nibble Theory

Way back in ‘73, she was one of the first women to enter the field of management consulting and had to face discrimination and nibbles like: “Why are you here?” “Who’ taking care of your children?” “What would a woman know?” “Hey, you’re pretty cute to be doing this kind of work”.

Where other’s would have given up, Kaleel’ a story of dogged determination and persistance. She went on to live a strong legacy - The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group and even more enduring would be her book: “The Nibble Theory and the Kernel of Power”. Buy it and read it. It is a small book, less than 75 pages, but contains a very powerful message on self empowerment. Not only does the book encourage you to look at yourself deeply and grow, but more importantly, help others grow too!

A reviewer on the back cover of the book says “[This book] is an excellent resource for leaders, managers, and anyone who wants to improve their interactions with others”.

This is why I love HIM!

Bawa and Dinesh, senior Art of Living Teachers have started writing about their experiences with Art of Living in their outstanding blog titled Sounds Interesting. Bawa and Dinesh are phenomenally good teachers and human beings. If you get a chance to take a course with them, don’t miss it for anything.

There are few blogs and postings criticizing Guruji and the work the Art of Living does and I have experienced it personally too when when people come and talk negative and I have always smiled and let it pass because as Guruji says “The purpose of words is to create silence”. Today’s post in Bawa’s blog is about a Q&A session with Guruji recently in Germany, where Guruji was asked about the negative writings in the blogosphere. Here is the complete transcript:

There are various online blogs and forums where some (misguided?) people post defamatory and inflammatory things about Guruji… He was asked about this in a recent Satsang, someone who happened to be there wrote an account… Here it is:

In a satsang at the Art of Living centre in Germany last night, someone asked Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: “Guruji, I have observed that Guruphiliac seems to follow your every move and then write negative things about you. Why are they doing this?”

This is the gist of what Guruji said: I have inherited an ancient lineage and my job is to further its cause. Neither by thought, nor through word, nor by deed, have I ever done any harm to anyone, nor will I ever do so in the future; it is simply not in my nature. Nobody can expose me because there is nothing to expose: I stand tall, clean and naked in front of the whole world.

I do whatever maximum good I can, and I inspire others to do so. These people who keep writing about me simply cannot leave me alone - they must be in deep love with me! (laughter) When they keep comparing me with other people all the time, I must have made a very deep impression on them. I cannot help it if they can’t get over me - that’s the way I am! If I am that bad and fake, they should simply be able to ignore me and move onto the truth –why are they are holding onto me, again and again?

If they are trying to teach me a lesson, if their intention is to correct me, then I’m sorry, I am incorrigible! (laughter)

If their idea is to stop people from coming to me, and if people do stop coming just by reading these blogs, then I really thank them; it is good for me, it reduces my responsibility! If they think I am doing this for publicity, they are unaware of the disadvantages of popularity. I pity them. Celebrities enjoy only popularity, but spiritual leaders have a huge responsibility with that popularity. People do not go to celebrities for guidance and blessings, but with spiritual leaders they do.

If they think I have no right to exist on this planet, then they can crucify me; I am afraid neither of death nor of being defamed. I am not afraid, because nothing can destroy me.

We do charity with the hard earned money from our courses. We are, of course, rich with people and with good character, and I am ready to share this wealth with anyone.

Lest they understand that their hatred is nothing but love standing upside down.

Spirituality and Workplace Series - About Oneness

Lance Secretan - ex-CEO of ManPower - has written a superb book on Conscious Leadership titled “One - The Art and Practice of Conscious Leadership”

This book is based on the premise that we are all one and are connected to each other in ways that are not apparent on the surface, but dig a little deeper and we find the connections. It is divided into two parts - the first talks of the oneness and how we seemed to have lost the oneness and the second part talks of 6 principles (CASTLE - Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truthfullness, Love and Effectiveness) that help us regain the oneness.

I loved this book. Lance draws superb examples from Industry and his practice which makes this book immensly readable. Plus each of the chapters relating to the CASTLE principles have a workbook that allows space for one to reflect on the principles in our own situations.

Click here for Lance’ blog. (Corrected the link!)

Bliss at noon!

It was sunny and hot today afternoon, but it was cool and airy inside the VM! Needless to say, it was the Master himself leading us all into a deep meditation. Don’t know where the 30 minutes flew away… The joy of being in His presence and meditating with Him is priceless!

Spirituality and the Workplace

This weekend, I stumbled upon “The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners” by Jack Hawley and on a quick reading purchased it. It was a good decision. I have read Eknath Easwaran’s three volumes on ” The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living” quite a few times and have regarded it as one of the finest translations of Gita for the modern world.

Since the time Guruji advised us all to read The Gita regularly, I have always carried the pocket book of The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita ( search for code 455 and yes don’t be surprised by the price, it does cost rupees six only!) from Gita Press with me always, reading it as and when I have time.

I am yet to complete reading Jack’ translation, but having read the first two chapters, I can say that this book comes from the rich depth of someone who understands the meaning behind the verses and someone who has walked on the spiritual path.

Jack’s translation of the 2nd chapter is so beautiful that I have re-read it quite a few times. Looking up for Jack on the Internet I stumbled upon his website and found his responses to the Spirituality and workplace so apt that I reproduce them here.

LW: How to introduce, channel, and better use spirituality in the workplace to enhance wellness?
JH: In the West, the term wellness, especially when used in connection with workplace connotes the promotion of the physical well being of workers. It’s a good and smart thing to do, and in some cases concern for workers’ health is of the same family tree as spiritual values, but I do not consider this to be a
main aim of spirituality.

I’m apprehensive that people will begin using spirituality as a method or strategy for enhancing worldly things. Ramakrishna, the renowned Indian saint of the late 1800s, explained spirituality this way: “Using spiritual means to achieve worldly ends is not spirituality; using worldly means to achieve spiritual ends is spirituality.” It is important today to understand that spirituality at work is not just another way to manipulate workers to work harder. Increased productivity may be a byproduct of spiritual values at work, but it is certainly not the purpose of it.

LW: How can we increase a holistic approach to work, integrate the spiritual and the material sides of life into the work?
JH: First, just acknowledge that both the spiritual and material sides coexist. Convey to people that spiritual aspects of life are legitimate topics for them to think about and factor into their work and their lives. Second, trust that a balanced, whole person (i.e., holistic person) is indeed a good thing to
become-and a good thing to foster, advance and encourage at work. Third, know that if you do this merely to enhance profits your effort will probably fail. Do it because humans are both spiritual and worldly beings. Do it because you know that people need to live a more balanced existence in a more spiritually balanced world.

I look forward to reading this book at leisure and I am sure I will go back mark pages and read them over and over again. Also in my to read list is Pujan Roka’s The Bhagavad Gita on Effective Leadership I have been searching for this book in bookstores in Bangalore without luck, seems like I may have to order this via Amazon or wait till I go to US to purchase a copy of this.

Meanwhile, if you dear readers have any recommendations on Leadership books written from a Spiritual perspective, please do let me know.

Related Website: Check out Apex

Teaching

We are all teachers, and what we teach is what we learn, and so we teach it over and over again until we learn….

- unknown source

Sign of the times!

Way back before 9/11 happened, I was in a bank in US and wanted to encash a $200 American Express Travelers cheque. The lady at the counter asked me to put a thumb impression behind the TC. I remember telling her that in my country - only the criminals get finger printed.

Today, in my own country, at my own office, I had to give finger impressions of not one, but of 6 of my fingers to get registered with the Nasscom initiative of The National Skills Registry!

Why?

Read what Shri Kiran Karnik, president of NASSCOM has to say ..”to make India the “Fort Knox” of security...”

So what are a few finger prints in the process!

I love what I do…

“I love what I do, I love the people I work with, I care very much about the value of the work I create, and I don’t need more money than I have. This is not revolutionary philosophy. It’s just common sense.”

Ms. Sandra Boynton quoted in this article.

What good we need to do, we have to do in our present life!

A chance encounter over the web and the next thing I knew that Rajesh personally came down to meet me when I was at Accenture way back in 2003. I have cherished that meeting. Ever since I have been a close follower of Emergic and Rajesh’ writing. His blog entry “On Turning 40” is a must read.

He writes:

“The day after we had sold IndiaWorld for $115 million in November 1999, my wife, Bhavana, told me: “We are custodians of God’s money. If God has given us money at such an early age, there must be something He has in mind for us. We have to utilise this wealth for the greater good.” These are words which have formed the bedrock of my life since then. Till then, I was an entrepreneur trying to prove that I could, even after repeated failures, be successful at least once. Since then, I have come to believe that what good we need to do, we have to do in our present life - while we still have the physical and mental energies. “

What an amazing spiritual thought process this couple have!.

Red Corner Notice?

Why would someone from Interpol be keen to look up my profile? Beats me!