My Top 10 reads of the year 2022

 

Its December and another year gone by. I am back to sharing my top 10 books with you for the year 2022. This has been an extraordinary year as far as my reading goes. Half century of books 51 to be precise is a number I had not thought to achieve at the beginning of the year. This year I also managed to clean up my book shelf, give away over 150 books to a library and got a sense of how many unread books I had in the shelf, kindle and audible. It is a different matter that I continue to buy books even after that but a reader in you knows there is absolutely no connection between the two.

This year I also gifted a lot of books to people who are readers, interested in reading and those who I thought gifting a book may get them to begin reading. I love gifting books and receiving books as a gift. So to all people who sent me a book and are reading this –A Big Thank You! Even if I may have not read the book, I will get to the book and that’s a promise.

I have struggled to identify the top 10 books due to problem of plenty. The first shortlist was of 19 books out of the 51. What I noticed this year was that many books rated very highly by peer readers on good reads and mentioned as a part of various ‘to read’ or ‘top 10 books’ list by so called influencers or on best seller list of publications did not resonate with me. The fault is with me and not the authors but it has been something constant this year, as an example “Surely you are joking Mr Feynman” or “The courage to be disliked”. I hope you the reader will not judge me for the lack of appreciation of the aforementioned. 

If you are reading about my list for the first time (I began writing last year) please note that these are not the books released this year but the books I have read during the year irrespective of when they released. These consist of books (as we know them) kindle editions and audiobooks (my walking companion). If you have already read them and have an opinion, feel free to share with me, and if you have not read but the review does interest you then add it to your reading list for 2023. Ratings are purely mine and have no external benchmark.

The top 10 List for 2021:

·        Reality is not what it Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity by Carlo Rovelli Rating: 9/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: It is a rare book that I discovered purely by chance. A book of the genre I don’t usually read but I am so glad I did. Author in an engaging yet simple (mostly) manner has chronicled and explained history of physics, concepts and their journey over centuries and their relevance to current world. Best part is you do not need to have a background in physics to understand or enjoy. It’s a story that holds you, gives you ‘oh’ now I understand moments and moments of – ‘I did not know,’ this is so simple. I wish academicians use this book to explain concepts of space, time and infinity to young minds. From understanding infinity to the smallest of the Planck particle to stories about great people - the book has it all with some professional rivalries thrown in the mix too. The book may make you fall in love with the subject or get you to read more as it is so contemporary to what is happening in the world around us. 

·        Aristotle and Dante book #1and #2 by Benjamin Alire Saenz Rating: 9/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: It is a set of 2 Books and I am mentioning both together because they just go hand in hand and very rarely the second book takes the story and characters to the next level. Books are raw, hurting, simple, and very close to life. Beautiful books where you meet Ari & Dante and it’s about their friendship, growing up, inner battles and about their own demons. It’s also about parenting and love. You can feel the love in the words as you turn pages and as Ari & Dante let you into their world. They are going to remain with me for a long, long time. A book every parent should read as I feel it will make them a better parent. I am sure I will go back to meet Ari & Dante as they made me love them both like my own boys. I hope in another few years Benjamin the author will again miss the boys and write a 3^rd book. Till then to hope and let the love flow.

Also to share, I was introduced to the book by my elder one, who said I must read it and by the end of the year younger one too had read. All 3 of us were unanimous in our liking of the books.

·        Influence Empire: The story of Tencent & China’s Tech Ambition by Lulu Chen Rating: 8.5/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: This book is unputdownable from the first line. A journey into China, wherein you discover about Tencent, its ambition, its journey and the key players. In addition to Tencent author also gives invaluable insights into communist China, controlled society, key personalities and behaviour of people, other ambitious start up like Alibaba aMy nd Didi etc.  Book is about the dilemmas, the audacity , the challenge, the fight , the game , the race to finish and winner takes it all yet no matter how big you are remember there is God or the party and that is what the book is about. Definitely one of the best business books I read this year.

·        Freezing Order: A true story of Money Laundering, Murder, and surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath by Bill Browder Rating: 8.5 /10 – Paperback Edition

My Review: A True story. As you read it, there are many a time you will ask yourself- is this really possible? Did this really Happen? How could the nations let it happen? Are other nations stupid or blind? This book reads better than many a thriller I read this year. You will now look at Russia Ukraine war and understand many a statements made by world leaders and get a perspective on events and actions. It is about the adage – most people can be bought, you just need to know either the right price or the right barter. This book with its reality scares the reader in context of what is currently happening and how politicians and law makers are looking the other way, at least many of them. Its also about triumph of one man, his determination and will over an empire.

·        Genghis Khan & the making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford Rating: 8.5/10 – Audio Book edition

My Review: I have been wanting to read a book on the khan for many a years and after numerous recommendations decided to go for this one. I am so glad I did. It is a book that is a complete story of the Mongol Empire as we know it and transcends the rules after Khan. It is deeply researched and author provides a detailed and complete picture of the kingdom, Its impact on the world at large say the on civilisation across Europe , Asia and China is an eye opener. Mongol role in discovery of Gunpowder, making of compass and printing: books & paper money are three main contributions of the empire to the world and think where would we be without them. While the great khan dies the book continues and I was sceptical if it will be worth reading ahead and let me confess it was worth every minute. The travels, the formation of the rule, the landscape of the time, wars, rulers, techniques, customs, religion help break a lot of myths and change many an understanding that reader may have. I am going to read more about him and have marked Mongolia as a place to visit in my bucket list and hopefully you will do so by the time you finish reading the book.

·        The Island of the Missing Tree by Elif Shafak Rating: 8/10 – Paperback edition

A beautiful book about love and loss. Stories and magic weaved within the pages will hold you, tug at you, make you smile, cry and long, Yet it is a simple and a loving story with many a layers connecting humans and nature as the author has trees and animals narrating the story. A story that has remained with me for last few months and somewhere in my thoughts I keep going back for the memory of the love. If you have not read Shafak, go for it.

·        Ghost Wars: The secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001by Steve Coll Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book edition

My Review: An immensely detailed book on American Afghanistan relations and the part of history most talked about but least understood. From the origins of the conflict, soviet tanks rolling in, till 9/11 the journey, the characters who played a key role, various leaders across US , Pakistan , Afghanistan, their roles, it has it all. Author does an honest assessment of the actions and politics of the times and how priorities changed and changed again multiple times over the years. It is a tough read and surely a tougher subject. It’s to gain perspective on the journey, the relationships between nations, the political compulsions of leaders , diplomacy or lack of it, fear of public opinion amongst all that impacted what should have been done, could have been done and must have been done to avoid 9/11. Taking into account recent American approach in Afghanistan in 2021 one can better relate the events and ask – did the key players and USA learn anything from history.

·        Will by Will Smith & Mark Mason Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book edition

My Review: Will Smith may not be a loved actor anymore but the book is truly open and a honest story of a man. A man who has shown courage to say it as it was and as it is and to lay it all bare for the reader. A journey from being a nobody to becoming a star, to his downfall and becoming a have been, to again stardom, and then to becoming that mega mega star and after all of it – to questioning his whole being and himself is a story worth reading and giving your time. In sharing his inner thoughts, his actions, his ego and failings Will has been more vulnerable than most others I have read and that for me is truly commendable. It’s been like I am having this conversation with Will and he has been sharing his life story with me being an ardent listener who accompanied him in the roller coaster of his life. It may also give you some insight on why he did what he did at the Oscars in context of his relationship with his family. 

·        Money Men: A Hot start up, A Billion Dollar Fraud, A Fight for the Truth by Dan McCrum Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book edition

My Review: An unbelievably true story, unearthed by sheer determination and courage of the author. One asks oneself how come the regulators, investors, board, auditors were fooled by a few and mislead for almost 20 years to run a scam of a company that actually never had a truly viable business. Reader witnesses the dark side of national pride to support a local company and its management for the national one up-manship. It’s a story that is Important to know about and makes a very interesting read. It beats many a thrillers in plots, subplots, characters and revenge. It is also about corporate espionage, intimidation and blurring of lines between corporate world and mafia.

·        The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfilment by Marshall Goldsmith & Mark Reiter Rating:8/10 – Paperback edition

My Review: A typical, very insightful book wherein author as always makes you look deep within and ask yourself the right questions. The book has it all – points to ponder, learning to take, stories that are relatable and action steps if you want to. There are quite a few take always and no matter what career stage or life stage you may be at, the book has something to offer. If you want to have an honest and a hard conversation with yourself, read it and you will come out better. Marshall has done an impactful job once again. It’s a book that one should go back to like his earlier ones often and re read the key points / chapters.

Choosing the top 10 has been a struggle. Many have been left behind but like all list I am going to also from this year have special mentions. Dara Sukoh : The Man who would be King by Avik Chandra and Before the Coffee gets Cold (3 book series) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.  Both these books will always have a special place as reads of 2022.

Of the remaining list of books that make up 51 reads in the year, please go to my Goodreads page and you will get a detailed review of each. 

Thank you for reading and wish you a super new year 2023 and hope you have a ‘Book Hangover’ that lasts 12 months. 

Photo courtsey -Forbes. 

My Top 10 Books - 2021

 Hello Everyone

It’s that time of the year when lists come out, whatever it be about it has to be a list. I just thought this year I too would do a list. Why not? So here it is, my list of top 10 books that I have read this year.

These are not the books released this year but the books I have read during the year irrespective of when they released. Many you will know that I have a personal goal of reading 36 or more books in the year. These consist of books (as we know them) kindle editions and even audiobooks (my new muse). I am picking my top 10 of the year for you. If you have already read them and have an opinion, feel free to share with me, and if you have not read but the review does interest you then add it to your reading list for 2022.

The top 10 List for 2021: (Ratings are purely mine and have no external benchmark.) 

 

•   The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah- Rating 9.5/10 - Paperback 

My Review: A book I read a year after I was gifted the book and what a read it turned out to be. What a story!!!. A tale based on real incidents, one that had to be told and made me think why more people have not written about the role women played in the second world war. The women had an equally important role to play, and they also truly served those who remained behind and truly lived through the war. If you (like me) cry while reading the books, then last 50 pages will need many a handkerchief. Heartfelt yet tough yet tender. All I can say is if you have not read it then go for it. Make it a definite read.

•   The Spy and the traitor: The greatest espionage story of the cold war by Ben Macintyre – Rating: 9.5/10 -Audio Book 

My Review: If you have grown up reading thrillers, let me assure you this real-life story beats all thrillers hands down. It is a true story and yet you are on the edge almost every page you turn. A part of history, an event like very few others in the history of espionage. Hats off to MI6 team for standing by their man till the end. If you want to begin your audio book journey this can be a perfect first book. In real life when you think you have a fairy tale ending think again for we all have our own ideas about how we would like it to end.

•   Real Life by Brandon Taylor - Rating: 9/ 10 - Paperback 

My review: A book that must be read many times as once is not enough. I say this because book is layered multiple times over. It has layers of race, sexuality, aspiration, friendship and relationships. A book about struggle of knowing and finding oneself. A book that shares as much as it is silent about. A book that is restless yet moves at its own pace. A thinking person’s book that will give a lot to you yet take something away as it touches you.

•   Anxious People by Fredrick Backman – Rating: 8.5/10 - Hardback 

My Review: A book about nothing yet everything. A story that is about randomness and the chaos it seemingly creates but as they say in chaos and randomness lies the order for those who have the ability to see it. An interesting bunch of characters that make you laugh, frustrate you, excite you, are wicked and mean and yet when you look back you can see the connection which always existed. If you are a Blackman fan it’s time to pick it up if you have not yet. (For the uninitiated he is the same author who wrote - A man called Ove)

•   Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance – Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book 

My Review: I have been wanting to read about Elon Musk for some time and after some finding decided to pick up with book by Ashley Vance. I am so glad I did. This book will absolutely open your mind and inspire you to dream. It is a book about dreaming big, challenging the norms, about Elon’s conviction in self. A fair representation of Elon’s challenges, his dreams, his self-belief, his idiosyncratic attitude, his erratic way of working and yet his clarity and mantras of success. It also left me with a question- Do  successful entrepreneurs need to be brutal? Go read it if you want to know about the man who has the power to influence the fortune of almost everything by a measly tweet and is also the Time Person of year 2021.

•   Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski -Rating: 8/10 - Kindle 

My Review: It’s a book that had been on my Wishlist and wanted to read for many many years and finally one day I just got to it or as I opened my kindle it just called out. A story set in cold war era Poland depicts the challenges life and forbidden love faces in communist Poland. It details how life was behind the iron curtain but is a love story and not a political essay. A prose that is beautiful to read, lyrical at times and truly heartfelt. Written in the voice of the protagonist yet holds the reader at every page and is like a journey where survival triumphs love.

•   Alchemy: The surprising power of ideas that don’t make sense by Rory Sutherland- Rating 8/10 Paperback 

My Review: A book about stories of interplay between logic and behavioural patterns. It talks about kinds of logic, when to do more and when to do nothing at all. It is about sitting up, reading, noticing things around you, paying attention to ideas and patterns that make absolutely no sense yet can be the answer to the questions we all are facing and would make life easier for you and me. Challenge yourself go read it. Will surely make you think more and observe more.

•   Still Life: A graphic Novel by Anoushka khan – Rating: 8/10 - Hardback 

My Review: I have discovered the graphic novels in last 18-24 months in a big way and this one truly stood out and moved me by the power of storytelling. A story so simple, told with emotions and pain and so so much longing that it tugs you. A love story that says so little, leaves so much unsaid and yet the reader knows it and feels it.

•   American Kingpin: The epic hunt for the criminal mastermind behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton - Rating: 8/10 -Audio book 

My Review: A book as you keep reading you keep saying could not be true, did this actually happen, how come I never heard of it earlier? You marvel at the story and question it at the same time. I could not decide if Ross was a mastermind or just plain naive and idealist? Am still left with many questions like why did Ross not vanish, or give up or go away? This is one book where I wish Ross Albright would one day write his side of the story and answer the questions. It made me follow him on Twitter despite him being in prison.

•   Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-up by John Carreyrou - Rating: 7.5/10 Audio book

My Review: A story about a start-up, its rise and rise and rise and then the mighty fall. Unbelievable and so unreal that it amazes you that it actually happened. A female founder who is feted and celebrated by the world as a star only to be surprised by the blackholes. A real-life story of fake it till you make it at its best. Also, a superb example of how and when founders lose their moral compass. Read it for knowing how you can fool all the people and almost, just almost get away. A tad too long for comfort but then investigative books do go into details. You can also follow the Trail of the founder currently underway in US courts 

 

As I started to write I thought I would struggle to find my top 10 and now I am struggling to limit the list to top 10. If you want to know, more feel free to go to Goodreads and look up my list.

 

Thank you for reading the blog and wish you a super reading 2022.

 

 

 

Goodbye Sir!

Dear NNR,

Its been 13 days today and I have thought of you every day. Ever since I heard the news I was like wish I had another chance to speak to you. I know it is not possible to have that conversation so instead I have decided to write a letter to you hoping that it will get to you. 

I still remember the day you had first come to campus to administer a test for placement and I was a hopeful student sitting in the hall writing it, hoping to make it. As president of the college body I did get to interact with the SB team (Yes I had joined when it was still SB) but don’t remember if I had any conversation with you in specific other that you were an alumnus.

We started to interact after you had returned from Thailand stint and I was doing the HR manager role for north sales. Then one day I got to know that I will be working with you directly in the HO doing a role I knew very little about. Those 2 years were great learning and you like true leader gave me the opportunity to do some path breaking work. You shared my disappointment when I was told due to my grade I could not go to the HR offsite to Colombo though I had done all the work for the HR survey that was the basis of the offsite. You like a true leader not only ensured credit came my way despite my absence but also convinced the Sri Lankan Head of HR that he should offer me a project assignment  to work with Sri Lankan business. My first overseas journey and work experience. The joy in my eyes was truly reflected by your smile on seeing it. You have no idea what impact this one thing has had on me and I have paid it forward many a times with many young people in my team.

Our mutual liking for Thai food has been a reason for many meals we shared. Those were times when we spoke openly about issues, views and what we actually thought of people always wishing no one overheard us. Our discussions, jokes, funny anecdotes and stories always made us look forward to next meal as soon as one ended.  Every time I have a good Thai meal I have remembered you and in our next conversation told you about it and even going forward I don’t think I will ever eat one without remembering you. I hope they serve good Thai food in heaven.  

As a leader I still remember our discussion about work like balance wherein you would and I would discuss our views which greatly differed at that time of no laptops and email on mobile times. I later on many times told you how I had modified the thinking and you quietly smiled as if saying I knew experience will bring you around. But thank you for letting me go swimming in the evenings, on the Rooftop of the plaza tower office and then letting me finish work in my tracks post that.

I hope you have had a chance to meet Princess Diana in the heaven. Our mutual liking for her has been only between us and a little known fact. Next time when you speak to her please do tell her about me (I am sure you would have already done). I have had that silver spoon with me for years, the one you got for me when you had gone to London and visited her grave. I have made many visits to London and been thinking of doing the same but never got to. I always said to myself I will also get something for you when I go there but it was never to be. Anyways now that you are a fellow traveler with her enjoy the time and company.

NNR I still remember the conversation you and I had when I was deciding to take up the Aviva Job of Head of HR.  You ended by saying 2 things – its time Amit for you to take that step and do the big job and remember I am there for you 24X7 if you ever need me. I did call you within 45 days feeling lost about an issue and you were in Guhwati and made time to have a long late night conversation. When I took over the business role you told me that’s the way to go and telling me people who get Head of HR jobs early can only do it for a certain period of time. When I called to tell you about the CEO role, I could hear the joy and pride in your voice. Like always, you and I agreed to have a Thai celebration once covid was over and I owe that party to you. 

Diwali will never be the same for us. Having breakfast at your place had become a ritual that all of us Surbhi & boys looked forward to. I know you also looked forward because every time I called before to fix, you would just say yes on Diwali day and that was it. It was like you always telling us, you are family and we always felt it.

You were always so proud of Sandeep and Monica. Every time we spoke you would fill me in on them and I loved to see the father in you always. My constantly teasing you of the time you would not let Sandeep drive the Audi, you in your own way sharing without saying how you missed both kids as they were away from home and finding their own path. 

Not many have known of us to be really close. Its something both of us never much talked about with others. Both of us liked to keep it that way and as I now think back as to why? I have no answer and actually don’t need one too.

I am sure that heavens are treating you well and looking after you.

Its time to let you go NNR, to let you know that you will be missed and remembered. I will cherish our times together always.

Goodbye my boss, my guide and my friend. Till we meet again on the other side for a good Thai meal and long conversation.

Rest in Peace.

 

The President America will never have – HRC!

American Elections are over and in Donald Trump they have their 45^th President Elect and it has been a week of everyone asking how? How did Trump win? More importantly, how did Hillary lose?

Let me begin by confessing upfront I have never been to USA but let me also share that I have been following American politics from 1985 and I have called every election starting 1992 when Bill Clinton won. I have got only 2 elections wrong, first was in 2000 when Al Gore lost to George Bush and now in 2016 when Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump but to my credit both time the losing candidate did get more popular votes even if not the politically managed electoral college.

Much has already been written about Hillary’s loss and correctly so because it was her election to lose and she lost it. Yes I am saying it – she is to blame for her loss. Not Donald Trump for calling her lair and threatening to put her into Jail, not the FBI director by his raking up her email controversy a week before voting when everyone thought she had buried it, not the republicans for they were lost themselves and not the chanakya fish which predicted a Trump win.

She did not lose the election in the last week, I think she got it wrong much earlier but did not know it then. In hindsight it’s easy for many like me to give discourse on appear know it all and I plead guilty, still here is my take on 5 key reasons I think why she lost purely based on what I have seen and heard on TV and read about:

• First and foremost as a leader people want to know what you stand for. Hillary always spoke about what she did not stand for. She spoke about what was wrong with Donald, she spoke about why America should not elect him but she did not focus why America should elect her, what she stood for and what an average American could expect of her as a president.  Her campaign slogan – “Stronger together” was fuzzy, unclear and people did not know what to make of it in comparison to Trumps – “Making America Great Again”. Another one “Love Trumps Hate” was more about Trump than her.

• She focused on diversity and forgot about being inclusive and played the woman card a tad too much. Agreed she was the first woman nominee of a major political party and that should have just been that. In her bid to woo the women voters she forgot the American men and they don’t like being ignored. White or black both men did not vote for her and unfortunate for her women did not come out in huge numbers to vote for her too. 54 % women voted for her and 41% men. As an HR person I can tell you for diversity to be successful you have to be inclusive and that clearly means taking men along.

• She was proud of being the establishment and the insider. Her campaign spoke about her experience in the government, her career as a senator and secretary of state and not to forget the FLOTUS. She misjudged that Americans did not want an insider. Barack Obama was not exactly an insider. She lost to him in 2008 and yet did not learn. When an average American has an all time low trust in every American institution today, why would he/she elect an insider? Again her calling Trump the proverbial outsider worked for him and against her. She took the fall for all that is wrong with America today.  As I see it, a choice she made and paid for it in the end.

• She never spoke truly and from the heart. She was never Authentic. In all the debates and rallies that I listened to, while I hated Trump for saying what he said knowing he meant most of it, if not all, I never connected with all the right things she said. They all came across as correct things to say but somewhere seemed to be just words. I have followed her career for long but never heard her talk about Monica scandal, how she felt as a wife, why she stood with Bill (most believe it was for the ticket and donors) how did she feel when she lost to Obama and why she agreed to work with him (her book does not share her true feelings) and on many other occasions when she could have including the email scandal. I think her concession speech was her finest in a long long time where we saw the woman Hillary was and the woman she wanted Americans to vote for. But it was too late by then

• She could not be Trusted.  Yes that is a fact. 70% Americans said they did not trust her and 50% said they hated her in the run up to polls. Her hope was they hated Trump more but alas it was not to be. They chose to forgive Trump and not her. Her manipulation of the nomination race through super delegates, her bad judgment and questionable ethical record which Trump kept harping upon rally after rally in all swing states to rake up his electoral college numbers.

It’s time America had a woman president, after all 240 years is as the saying goes ‘one hell of a long time’ and yet the wait continues. I think sooner than later a woman will hold the oval office but one thing is clear that woman will not be Hillary Clinton. I admire her for coming so close, for her public service, for all the work she did to break the glass ceiling, for being the person she is and I know she will be remembered in history for a president America never had, yet I think she was the “wrong woman” even though the time seemed right. 

Dream comes True - An underdog Wins

World loves an underdog yet till the underdog is sure of winning not many take cognizance. This is true for many of us football lovers who followed the English Premier league this year. 

Leicester City or the Foxes are the champions- New and more importantly first time. Their best result I am told was to be ranked 2 in 1929.  What happened yesterday is a story that happens once is many many years but am sure will be spoken about for many more decades to come. After all 87 years is a long wait to move from best of no 2 to be the champions finally! Before the Harvard's or the Insead's get into trying to know what happened and more importantly how it happened and write case studies I want to share with you a few things that as per me clearly stand out.

• Focus on task at hand – Last year fearing relegation Raneri focused on the task of saving the club from relegation as he took over. He just worked to ensure the club won 7 of its last 9 matches and lived to play in the league this season. Clear lets ‘save the day first’ attitude achieved by going about focusing what to do immediately.

• Build the Dream step by step – I confess I don’t know if, when the season started Raneri had the vision of winning the league but I hope like all coaches he did have it as a dream.  If what I have read can be believed (I am quite trusting of the press here) Raneri first focused on beating the relegation this year. Once that was achieved and during the journey club had defeated some big names did the team actually started to believe they could be in the top 5. When they realized there was a wave they went about riding it as nonchalantly as possible by doing all the right things. A journey of small steps to achieve the dream

• Execute day in and day out – Excellence is not a flash in the pan. It is doing the things right every time. The team did just that. They came out, played like a unit, were brilliant at the basics and whenever a crack appeared whether in their defense or attack it was quietly filled and everyone focused on the job at hand.  

• Team is bigger than an individual – We have seen it so many times (India world cup win 1983) that a group of passionate, determined individuals come together and create history. Same happened here. No big signings, no big names, no big egos and no big dramas just one common purpose and it seemed they had lot of fun playing together.

• Don’t listen to the Naysayers – When Raneri was sacked from Chelsea in 2004 club owner Abramovich claimed to have seen in the future by predicting that Raneri would never win a title in his lifetime. When a lot was written about the great coaches Raneri was talked about a man who was in the game for many decades but had a bare trophy cabinet with nothing to show for. Yet the same man has come from behind to win it all in form of one of the biggest prize game has.

This is the romance of the sport and this victory is magical. Many of us followed the club week on week from it’s a flash in the pan, to disbelief, to it can happen, to its happening and finally to Yeah it has happened set of emotions. A lot will change for Leicester city in next 12 months starting from I don’t think they will be champions next year and will also not be fighting relegation anytime in near future. Their key players like Vardy will be bought by the big boys I mean clubs with deep pockets. Raneri will in a few years be back at another top club / national team. But that is for tomorrow.

Today is all about celebrating, romancing the dream, applauding the victors, believing that fairy tales happen and wishing the team all the very best as they take their rightful place in the Champions League.

Raneri and Boys take a Bow, for you have reinforced in people like me the belief that miracles happen and dreams do come true however impossible they may seem in the beginning. Thank you for that. 

Re-WiRiNg the rules of EnGaGeMeNt

People entering the work force in last decade have forced organizations to think out of the box to engage and connect with them.  Today’s diverse workforce comprises of four different generations namely; Veterans (entering workforce around 1945), Baby boomers (1960), Gen X (1980) and Gen Y (2000). Most Veterans have retired, baby boomers are on the verge of retirement and Gen X likely to retire in another decade or so making Gen Y future of work force.  It is estimated that Gen Y will make 75% of Global Work Force by 2030.

Till date organizations have been dependent on lucrative compensation packages, flexible work arrangements, management support and developmental programs to engage work force. In ever changing organizational fabric there is a shift in outlook and expectations regarding values, ethos, culture and career aspirations. The youth today, in addition to the above mentioned qualities also expects empathy and an intellectual connect from its employer. At the same time, there are ample opportunities available for talents across industries making retention number one priority for most CEO and HR heads.

In this era of digital activism the young talent is adept at using internet technologies. Some are digital natives and some digital adapters but for all bogging, tweeting, sharing ideas and collaborating over internet for solution is an everyday phenomenon.

Given this, it is important to understand that work life balance has now evolved into work life integration wherein employee needs the option to decide from where to work and when to work. This makes it imperative for organizations to adopt latest trends be it access to office intranet, work platforms from remote locations, or BYOD: Bring your own device. Similarly in today’s era, where everyone is hard pressed on time, having tele- presence in office for meetings across locations present a good option of saving employee travel time. Another option is using Skype or Google hangout to conduct meetings, these again provide flexibility in a manner that employee can be a part from home, café etc. Apart from leveraging technology, social media tools can also present an opportunity to develop HR programs which suit the employees’ needs and help develop a bond between the organization and its workforce. As most studies reflect, the attention span of any student is about 2.5 hours. Given this, our Learning & Development programs must change from full day programs to smaller bite sized, customized online learning modules. Organizations must use web chats, video/content sharing to deploy training modules. 

Also, professional networking websites like LinkedIn provide opportunity for organizations to internally know, understand and then leverage skills, qualifications and experiences of current employees to search better opportunities for them across functions within the company. This concept is a clear example of HR looking outside –in for talent development and management of its current workforce.  This could be a game changer in engaging work force, improving productivity and retention.

Going back to Maslows theory of motivation, self-esteem and appreciation are strong motivational forces. Workforce today is no different; they want to share their achievements and recognition's with the world. For employers, therefore, reward & recognition programs have to take a next generational leap by starting to recognize employees over social media. This will boost their self image and desire to showcase to the world. An endorsement of their LinkedIn profile will go long way to build their bond with the organization.

I, personally am against censorship of social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Linked In in office as this tends to suffocate employees, and weakens their bond and loyalty with the organizations.  The risk of misuse of these liberties by employees can be taken care by formulating strong and effective policies.

Workforce today demands clear direction, accessibility to technology, instant feedback and instant gratification making work a means to an end. Achievement of this end be it personal goal, professional achievement, community objective is critical in retention of employee and organizations have no choice but to embrace technology to make it happen.

Parts of this article were published in Times Ascent 

Mentoring: Reverse is the new forward

Mentoring: Reverse is the new forward

Today while watching the India Vs South Africa match my 11 year old son asked me “how come all of a sudden Paytm has become so big?" The question took me back a couple of year’s when my son then 7 year old asked me for my credit card so that he could buy an online game when till that day I had not paid online to buy an application. Upon being pushed by him and questioned ‘why not’ I decided to learn about online payments and challenged self to let go of my old notions shrouded in fear of online fraud. Once I embarked on journey of online payment there was no looking back and am sure that has been a similar story for many of us. 

It made me search and learn the new ways of doing thing and a whole new world opened up which unlocked many new idea beyond digital world and into my own domain of Human Resources. In my line of work I also needed to understand how my internal and external stakeholders were changing and what was it that was important for them. I knew time had come to acknowledge that I needed a young person to guide me. I unofficially appointed my young colleague as my mentor and thus began my journey.

Reverse mentoring is a topic which excites many and at the same time eludes many. My own reverse mentoring experience has clearly showed to me that days of traditional mentorship where in information flow was unidirectional with older or senior person telling younger or junior person how to succeed and helping the mentee to network with few other seniors folks are over. Today’s business challenges need young millennia’s ideas. These cannot be overlooked and reverse mentoring is one of the ways to bring those ideas in forefront with perspective.

If you are still reading, it clearly means you are interested in the idea. Before you embark on the journey, let me list a few pointers from my experience for you to consider:

Need to be ready- Mentee (senior person) has to know that it is not only about learning but can be an opportunity to solve real world problems in non-traditional ways. It requires for mentee to be open to being challenged and also to be able to critically view his/ her approach to things and thoughts. Simply put “mentee should be ready to be pushed out of one’s comfort zone”

Choose a Curious Mind as Mentor- Pick up bright people with curious bent of mind who display voracious quest for knowledge. People who are good at sharing and take pleasure from discussions. Someone who is not afraid to ask the old mentee “to dissolve the box let alone break it”.

Be Honest – Both the parties needs to be absolutely clear of what they are in for and why. It is important to talk about differences since different generations have different views, paradigms and even different communication styles. State the rules of engagement ‘openly’ and work towards establishing ‘trust’

Business Challenge- One has to be cognizant of the fact that this relationship needs to bring in ideas to solve business challenge. Mentoring needs to be productive, add value and build new perspectives for both otherwise this has potential to very quickly degenerate into a fad that is good to talk about

Be prepared to teach- Ensure mentee  teaches the mentor (young person) through his / her experience, build perspective for the young mentor thus benefiting both. This can be done by putting ideas into systems thinking without judging and shutting down. Ensure that young mentor gets business knowledge, learns how to distill it, values the connections and is able to build the picture by translating the information into valuable strategic capability

Don’t make it too formal- Start with a conversation and build into a relationship characterized by respect, sharing and fun. Remember it is not another HR exercise focused on documenting, capturing ideas in a format etc. for then you run a risk of over structuring it and killing the essence

Cut the Ego- Ensure ego is cut down by both Mentors and Mentee. Mentee should let go of the “I know it all , been there done it attitude” and Mentor should not become vain by virtue of teaching a senior leader . It is never about us versus them from either persons perspective

Your organization does not have a formal program? It doesn’t matter. A sure but small first step is to take time to hang out with young people. Ask them those questions you are struggling with and listen. You might just be surprised. 

In the end all I can say is that reverse mentoring is an opportunity to co-create something that will potentially be superior in value.

* Parts of this post have been published in Economic times as part of a self-authored article by me.