An AXLE...

An organization is like a vehicle & each employee is like its component; it doesn’t matter how small or big or at what position one is operating; each one of them is extremely crucial as they all have a unique importance & purpose.

We must always remember that “Unity” & “Harmony” among the people is the AXLE that drives the vehicle or an organization.

No person or organization can expect rapid & dramatic growth without first breaking through barrier after barrier of hardship. No organization can escape internal difficulties. There must be many reasons for this. One of the reasons that stand out is the disunity among its own people.

Though keeping a harmonious relation among us is everyone’s implicit responsibility however normally leaders of an organization are explicitly given that role to maintain it & to take it forward hence leadership becomes a function which is important at all levels.

The fate of any organization or a nation depends upon the wisdom & courage of its leaders. The key to growth, and also an important responsibility of leaders, is to recognize the warning signs, grasp their essence and take the appropriate action to remedy the situation without delay. The momentum to break deadlocks and obstacles is fuelled by the firm resolve and decisive action of the leaders.

A genuine sense of responsibility is reflected in paying attention to the minutest details that no one else focuses on and trying to make sure that everything is operating without error. “Smallest oversights could lead to the biggest accidents”.

Never grow careless or arrogantly complacent. When leaders get negligent, complacent or overconfident assuming that things will somehow work out on their own, they are setting themselves up for a major defeat.

In Life, it is important for us to enjoy our challenges. Every effort requires hard work and entails difficulties of one sort or another, the key is not to rue difficulties but to enjoy them as challenges. You can’t exercise your full abilities if you are only motivated by a sense of obligation. Those who find joy in life’s challenges and do their best with a positive, eager attitude are unbeatable.

The best leaders are those who lead by example. You don’t have to be the best at something to be a leader… Leadership means to have the courage to get over your own fears & failures, to overcome your weaknesses and show others the way to do that.

No matter how many times we cry ‘unity,’ however, we cannot strengthen it. To strengthen ‘unity,’ we must realize our mission as leaders & when each of us fully exhibits our ability and advances vigorously toward our goals, solid unity or an indestructible axle will naturally be formed.

That’s the surest & best way to advance as an organization.

Human Revolution - [Introspection for an action]

There are all sorts of revolutions: political, economic, industrial, scientific, artistic but no matter what one changes, the world will never get better as long as people themselves remain selfish & lacking in compassion. In that respect, Human Revolution is most fundamental of all revolutions and at the same time, the most necessary revolution for humankind.

History is the evidence that with changing times & circumstances, priority of our human lives change. It’s normal to do so but think what’s at stake. At all times, it is absolutely must for each & every one of us to keep reminding us “Who we are?” There are no prizes for guessing that we are Humans however the question needs to be asked “Do we know what it takes to be a HUMAN?”

As soon as you ask this question to yourself, seeds of your own human revolution are sown in you & benefits of which can be reaped may be immediately or later. However with full conviction, I can absolutely guarantee that you will be a winner if you act like a human being’ every time.

Essence of humanity lies in ones behaviour as a human being.

In the race of power, money & fame; human virtues are either being lost or have been intentionally put on the shelves. You know why, because we feel that we will lag behind in the race if we don’t do so. Those very virtues have become a burden on our own shoulders. Our vision is getting broader but our heart is getting shrewder. I believe if we just reverse it, goals achieved would be greater, happiness achieved would be indestructible & the satisfaction derived would be immense.

We all are unique individuals having unique personality traits, unique mission & unique circumstances. Hence Conflict is inescapable whether we are at home, in relationships, organization etc. however how we handle it, is entirely in our hands. We need to respect our differences; think & act accordingly. Whatever it takes, just make sure, your arguments are not biased or based on anger, ego or perceptions but facts and figures. Our discussion & arguments must happen in respectful manner with open mindset & conversation must never get converted into any dissent.

There is not enough respect, compassion, perseverance, self control, humility… left in us which is very alarming & frightening. For e.g. You might have heard or seen many accident cases on the road where people survive those accidents but unfortunately later, they tend to fight like the beasts in their anger & eventually end up doing what beasts do i.e. ‘killing’.

What’s happening? Is this what we want from us? I hope not.

I urge each & everyone to introspect & realize what is wrong within us & take actions to correct it.

We need to understand the importance of conducting oneself wisely. Self-control through reason and value creation through wisdom – these are proofs of humanity. It is foolish to be at the mercy of immediate interests or transient emotions, and such a tendency is akin to the stage of Animality.

The Daishonin (Buddhist monk) wrote, “The wise may be called human, but the thoughtless are no more than animals.”

SGI President Ikeda said in his guidance, “However we choose to live, we have one life. If we are to live, therefore, why not leave behind a history of our lives? Animals are not capable of creating a history of their moral existences… People who are creating a history of their virtuous lives are truly living as humans; they are genuine sages and victors.”

Let us continue to win the trust of others in our community by conducting ourselves wisely and achieve victory with our exemplary behaviour.

Your deeds, good or bad, will repay you in kind.

Let s target to positively revolutionize our character for the greater good thus benefitting ourselves, our family, organization, society, nation & eventually this whole world.

Do not ever think, what difference will it bring if one person changes. Do not underestimate the power of one. President Ikeda quotes, "A great revolution of character in just a single person will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and, further, will cause a change in the destiny of all humankind." In the current context in India, who could be more befitting example than ‘ANNA HAZARE’. One simple guy united the whole nation against corruption.

Remember that the first step again boils down to wipe out corruption in us & that can only happen when we do our OWN human revolution; & this world will become more beautiful, happier & a peaceful place to live. Is n’t it?

If you do so, you are already a winner. J