Mar 6th, 2011 | 3 Comments

Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, our strength is defined by our vulnerabilities, not our strong points. Not all the preparation in the world or intelligence can help you with any exam if you have an indecipherable handwriting that the examiner cannot figure out! Here your handwriting rather than your intelligence and hard work decide your future.


Similarly, you may have worked out a superb project with deep research and smart inputs, but if your timelines are not worked out and you cross the deadline, it is those couple of hours of delay that become the decisive factor! Similarly, you may be a great worker and a superb professional, but your loose tongue at an inappropriate moment may put paid to the rest of your capabilities ! And just like an intelligent chat show host, you will always find plenty of people around you not just willing, but eager to exploit your negative potential as displayed through that one weak link, that one vulnerability!


There is a category of people who wheedle info after putting you at ease and assuring you they are totally with you. Most of us have had a brush, or several, with the office pseudo sympathiser who always emerges soon as he smells your moment of insecurity or misery. He always knows, for he is on the lookout. And sure enough, there he appears with oodles of sympathy and a smile, pumping you subtly for information. He gives subtle hints and encourages you to speak up. In a moment of weakness, you are most prone to let go and spill it all out. Satisfied, he runs back where he came from and uses the information to his own advantage before you realise! It is only later you realise he got you to bare all but never ever shared any of his or her own troubles! Your one weak moment could have done you a lifetime of harm!


Consider the power of weakness! Even the power of a relationship it is rightly said, lies with the one who cares less never with the one who cares more and so has more at stake! So the weaker your love, the more powerful you are to mould or manoeuvre the relationship and your partner as and how you wish to! And yet, what a miserable power when the partners weakest link, his/her strong love for you, would be the biggest weapon you would use against them!


It is indeed our moments of weakness and weak points that we need to guard its when you are most comfortable that you should be most guarded too. We are born with strengths that we can at best hone and understand, but an equally important task is to understand our weaknesses and work hard upon those. For these, our greatest weaknesses, if guarded and worked upon, have the potential of becoming our greatest strengths!

Remember,the great Achilles was only as strong as his weak heel! Had that not been known, who could have killed him. Had it not been known that Bheeshma would lay down his weapons if faced by a woman and Shikandi not been used for the purpose,who could have defeated the mighty warrior Had it not been known that Abhimanyu could pierce the chakravyuha but not find his way back,how could that innocent son of Arjuna been killed by the Kaurvas.

Mar 3rd, 2011 | No Comments

A new member joining your team Yes,it could take time for the team to warm up to him/her but dont let this be a reason to make them feel left out.Its important to get acquainted with the person and make them feel welcome and comfortable.Remember,you were also a newcomer at some point.Think about what all your team members did then to welcome you.Here are some points to heed.

Be helpful and friendly:

She/he is brand new so try and be as helpful as you can.And this is not only regarding work,but also things like showing them around the office,telling them about the way the team works,keeping them in the loop about meeting schedules,timings of the cafeteria,etc.Help them with the smaller issues so that they can comfortably settle into their new role.

Try not to compare:

If the new team member is replacing someone,especially one who was close to you,do not compare them.Remember,she/he is new and will take time to learn things.And if they dont meet your expectations,you are bound to start resenting them.Avoid that.

Do not feel threatened:

Just because the person is new,she/he isnt naturally a threat to your position,even if they are more educationally qualified.Also,she/he going over the call of duty should not be interpreted as trying to get into the bosses good books.Being new,they will obviously go the extra mile to make a good first impression.Instead of de-motivating or reprimanding them,help and train them to do things the right way.

Give them a fair chance:

Do not rush to conclusions about their ineffectiveness at the very first mistake.She/he is getting used to you and the team and vice verse.Yes,there will be habits that need getting used to but learn to be tolerant.More importantly,look for the positives in the new person and use them to help her/him fit into the team.

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