Slumdog Millionaire!

Iam frustrated! Why? Because I have worked for 7 different organizations in 11 years and Iam having to do the explaining to the prospective employers every time I shift. It is an emotional drain.

Why would I want to shift, is the question every one asks. The reality is; it is either because the job sucks/the manager sucks or plainly because the company is on the verge of a shutdown or Iam the victim of ‘Re-structuring’.

I think Naukri or Monster, don’t know which ad, beautifully depicts the current employment scenarios. A cricketer is shown washing clothes, a dancer is seen manning the signals for an aircraft in taxi mode, a rock guitarist teaching kids etc. This is the unfortunate reality. Most of the people I know (me included) are stuck to their jobs because of various commitments, almost everyone is in search of that ‘dream job’. I feel so dwarfed at times when I experience the ‘system’ (now that’s an entirely different topic :)).

Funny, when an organization could interview 100 odd candidates to select the ‘right fit’ for a role, why can’t a ‘Human resource’ do the same? Why shouldn’t he/she work in an organization and decide if it is right for him/her? The organizations evaluate performance and decide if the resource could stay or not, why can’t I? The organizations want overnight results, why can’t I? Well, we always have the system to blame; it is bigger than any normal/average individual.

Some of the wise and experienced professionals say ‘Loyalty’ or ‘long stints’ in an organization talks about one’s stability. Well, I know that when water stagnates it stinks and becomes a breeding ground for disease bearing organisms. Iam not disagreeing with what they say Iam just differing in my view! There is an adage in Hindi that says ‘The water that flows is pure’.

Then there are multiple human resource management, culture, organizational development theories that our MBAs and managers are exposed to, which are only used in a negative sense as though it applies only to the ‘Others’.

Iam a Human Resource, who, like any other resource needs to be harnessed well to reap the benefits. Human resources are not just tools! Well, in letter we have moved from HRM to Talent Management, Talent Retention, Talent Building etc, but in spirit, are we there?

Here’s what Jack Welch said, “HR matters enormously in good times and it defines you in bad.”
Never get emotionally attached to an organization, you never know when it won’t need you, Move out if you must! This is something in essence to what Narayana Murthy once said.
Deadwood stays, Talent moves! This is something I think Azim Premji said.

The reality is, managing a Human resource is a far bigger skill; it is not merely ‘handling’ employees. I could pull up a lot of theories now and start building a case, but it is not exciting for me to do it anymore. It is humbug, because most of the senior people I know use theories to talk big and in practice they demonstrate nothing. It is a matter of pride for us to know the theories and showcase it in interviews. When the rubber meets the road the true colors come out!

There is a place for everyone in this world and it is not right to be judgmental.

My reality is, Iam a ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, Iam educated with the several experiences I have gone through. I don’t need to possess educational ‘qualifications’ (though I have quite a few qualifications that way) or professional stability (loosely defined by others as loyalty to an organization) to answer the 'questions'. And just like in the movie such abilities may be doubted but the reality is, experience is a far bigger teacher and I will be a ‘Billionaire’! I just need to be at the right place at the right time! My quest is on for that right place! If it is non-existent maybe I’ll create one! All of us should build castles in air and remember to put strong foundations under them.

Shakespeare said 'Cowards die many a time before their deaths but the brave only die once'. I have a different connotation in this context and I leave it to the imagination of others to interpret. It is the beauty of life; fortunately, one size does not fit all!!

There are more such ‘Slumdog Millionaires’! Wait, the opportunity will soon knock!