A few decades back, a certain guy called Mohammad Ali stunned the world with his immodesty by stating in no uncertain terms that he was the ‘Greatest’. He also proved it step by step, but for all his failures and frailties, the interesting part is that he is remembered for that phrase he immortalized. Today he may be a shadow of his former self, and a victim of Parkinson’s disease, its most famous victim no less, but the "Sportsman of the Century" as enthroned by Sports Illustrated in 1999 and "Sports Personality of the Century", a label bestowed by the BBC, raises certain questions for us in the modern day world, worth contemplating. He who could "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee", needed no apologies or proof of prowess, but today’s brash generation has perhaps drawn lessons from him but without the chutzpah to carry it off.
Where am I going with this must be the question on your minds.
Well, talk of today’s generation, where a fancy MBA from a premier management institute gets you 8 figure salaries which go by the parlance of ‘compensation package’ as though the organisation needs to be apologetic that it is deriving work out of you and hence needs to compensate you for the honour in being a recipient of your services. CEOs at an age of 28. An age where a person is not even matured enough to get married and run a family, let alone an organisation which controls the lives of hundreds of families and masterminds their destinies. Sweet ironies of life. So, by the ripe old age of 32, the dynamic young ‘leader’ as it were, has started to believe in his own legend, supported by a fawning board of directors. Featured on the cover of business magazines, and interviewed on national TV, he can do no wrong. Young, successful, rich....perfect ingredients for a chick-magnet. With an excess of adoring female attention, there is nothing lacking, or is there......
You know, money has never been a motivating factor he says in countless interviews, saying it’s the challenge of a growing market. The challenge of an emerging market like India, because of which he has given up lucrative posts in the West, just to be here where the action is, and where the action is likely to be for the next few decades. But, fact is, it’s always about growth, professional growth, organisational growth, personal growth. It’s always about the money. For without money, what is business? It may be argued that the Bill Gates and the Warren Buffets of the world have given away billions of dollars to charity. But they were able to give away billions only because of growth, of profitability. The age-old chicken and the egg paradox - which came first? Money may have made them charitable but being charitable does not get you money....so there!
Success spins work...& more work. Eventually family, children. Understanding spouse standing in the shadows taking the bow for being supportive. ‘Supportive’, a phrase not really understood by the general population, as it could mean going to bed alone most nights and eating alone. Holidaying alone most years. He will always try and make it next year but you must enjoy... the credit limit on the card is high, and there’s a lovely shopping fest in the desert city. Cholesterol, sugar, heart ailments....take their toll, but the companies are not complaining as long as he is delivering.
I am awesome.....a myth, reality, a vision, a perception, a concept, and finally a straw for companies to clutch on to when the going gets tough. He’ll most certainly get us out of the rut. He is awesome. Or so he believes and we believe him.
Industry has its ups and downs and may be going through a bad phase. Blame it on the economy not doing so well, and when all else fails, blame it on the situation in Greece. Profitability takes a hit. The pay of the top honchos do not take a hit.
I am Awesome... the firm conviction of a 40 year old, who's changed 7 companies. Success, failure, even more success, seen it all. Money is not the issue. Yeah so what if along with the select teak furniture at home, are an indifferent spouse, distant children and two dogs who wag their tail alright, but with ambiguity, as they do not know if you are coming or going. Money which gives you the luxury, as that brilliant ad portrays, of a spouse who confesses she’s running away with the driver, and the master of the house magnanimously says, take the driver...
I am Awesome.....the firm conviction that he would bring his experience to bear on this new sunrise industry which has a bright future. Does he have a bright future? Of course, he does. He's Awesome, isn’t he?
