Work to Live or Live to Work – The Dilemma of Generation Ahead
Dr Nithyanandan Devaraaj (Nithin)
Raging discussions around Working Hours triggered by two Indian Stalwarts who have built Business Empires bringing in Co-ownership of Organisations, the modern day Cooperative Model thru ESOPs. It’s needless to highlight achievements of their respective Organisations in the Global Diaspora, apart from providing Careers to thousands directly
and millions indirectly, to say so.
As budding career Professionals, every aspiring qualified, sorry rightly qualified individual will not give a second thought if given a chance to work for them. Both personally and professionally, opinion of Leaders from Organisations of international repute and indomitable spirit, has snowballed into an uncalled for and unwanted controversy, where people from any walk of life easily offer their opinion, thus claiming to be worth it’s salt.
Setting a Context:
To me, it appears to be a situation of Socio Economic Evolution, creating a lot of confusions in the minds of today’s Youngsters in the name of Alternate Careers. It’s said well, probably in anticipation of such emerging scenarios, “Otherside of the Valley is Always Greener” though it continues to remain so – for Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs alike, by way of Diversification of Businesses and Career Growth respectively.
Practically, it’s supposed to be the third generation of Business Economy World over…obviously offering multifarious Options to Demographic shifts, both as means of living and of course, spending. Naturally, it’s quite easy to be spoilt with choices – Failed Businesses resulting in Bad Loans and stuck Careers giving very fewer options to recruiters.
The Foundation:
Businesses and Careers World over are built on the principle of Extreme Focus and Hard Work. Belonging to a City known for its Entrepreneurial spirit, if not an essential part of its many growth stories, have been a witness to.
Evolution of many organisations today those boast of atleast Rs 500Cr+ revenues were all once started as a means of Self Employment. It’s anyone’s imagination how once such Micro Enterprises have grown as Business colossal. Couldn’t find a better anecdote than that of a Symphony by which the then engagement between Employers and Employees can be compared to.
Well, today many say such Symphonies can be re-orchestrated thru offering advises thru media, further confusing the already confused Youngsters – both would be Entrepreneurs & Intrapreneurs, who believe, if not hope, that working smarter is a viable substitute for working harder. The epitome of Smarter Harder work conveniently forgotten in the milieu.
One should check with the Toppers, Successful Athletes and Renowned Artists, how many hours of practice they put in to gain a foot hold in their respective fields, if not learn from alike Entrepreneurs and Professionals. Once a famous First Generation Entrepreneur quipped “You don’t grow by working looking at the Watch”, and I have seen majority of who have grown were just so. It’s needless to say, not being so have lead to many failures just because of lack of enough attention, if not motivation.
Parable of Growth & Success
It’s just right to imagine in a highly Competitive & Complex Economic World, Success always follows the ones who put in their extra bit – commonly known as Effort. It’s simply the difference between Ordinary & Extraordinary.
Once my favourite Tennis Legend spoke about the many willing sacrifices one has to make as part of focus to remain at Peak consistently. Guess he is not alone in being so.
This is true for any Profession, which only is not adequately recognised. A systematic, focused approach, irrespective of Time without diverting attention helps to recognise and manage risks effectively than the ones who give divided attention to their core of existence – due to so called Work Life Balance.
The Vitamin Necessities
It appears, I repeat, it appears majority of Youngsters are preferring easy Vitamin M – the Money, without Vitamin C – Conviction & Commitment and Vitamin D – Drive, Discipline & Direction.
This is evident from the way the two discussions have been quoted, rather misquoted out of context. The basic courtesy of decently commenting on statements by renowned Personalities, considered Icons by many, is conveniently ignored due to quick fame which negativities give.
We call it social or public media, positive news always get lesser attention than sensations and negative news. Unfortunate psychological dichotomy, which common humans cannot be devoid of, despite best of the efforts to remain positive. It’s no wonder positivity of such observations made are buried in the negative publicities.
Differential Needs
Measurement is the base to succeed – if You don’t measure, You can neither Control nor Improve. Each industry has its own differential needs for measurements – from mass to class to niche, and agri to manufacturing to services. Needs therefore will also be characterised by specific Industry requirements.
The beauty of negative reactions to observations made by the Stalwarts on working hours, is unfortunately avoiding either carefully or ignorantly the reasoning behind such specific needs of those industries they belong to. Quite naturally, calibre of individuals will also be very different – from 80:20 to 20:80.
It’s a fact the socio industry evolution has rendered the core industries starving for right resources. This therefore has necessitated the capable work force double up for shortfalls, be it by putting those needed extra efforts or just being there when needed.
It’s important to recognise sustained success can only be thru sustained and consistent efforts. Rest all becomes mere excuses for not giving the desired and needed attention towards ones task or responsibility. Organisational needs are paramount to those of Individual or Personal needs.
Living for an Earning or Earning to Live
For most of the successful people, Earning interms of Money is a result of Recognition and Status acquired thru deligent and meticulous working towards it. This can be understood only by observing how only 7%+ of the people grow either as Businessmen or as Professionals when the World provides equal opportunity to all.
There is only one Elon Musk as much as there is only one Djokovic or Messi or Woods, or our own Tendulkar, the New Gen Gukesh apart.
So, it’s the Individuals desire to Work to Live or Live to Work.
Jai Hind.
About the Author :
Dr. NITHYANANDAN DEVARAAJ (NITHIN) BE., MBA., PhD
Managing Director & CEO
Flow Link Systems (P) Ltd
a Voith Group Company
Chairman – Shri Avinashiappar Trust
Vice President – Coimbatore Management Association
Past National Secretary – The Institute of Indian Foundrymen.
Dr. Nithin has about 35 + Years of Experience in Engineering Manufacturing organizations. He has worked for LMW Group, L&T, Hitachi & CRI Group. He is considered to be a Professional with a rare blend of Intrapreneurial Orientation, having been a Business Head across Engineering Manufacturing Organisations / Industries.
Dr. Nithin is a Member in Governing Council / Board Of Studies of Universities and Management Institutions as a Management Expert.
Dr. Nithin is part of various industrial associations and professional bodies; he is credited with playing a leading role in bringing land mark changes in Export Incentives, Classification of MSMEs, CPCB Norms, Waste & Disposal Management. He also plays a pivotal role in training and development of educated Youth seeking employment opportunities.
Dr. Nithin Leads a team that turned around a division and a Company, and in establishing large scale projects as bench marks in industry (This Business has won several awards at National & Regional Level which includes – Indian Foundry of the Year, Young Foundryman and Foundryman Awards, 4Star Award from CII, Green Award & Safety Award from Tamil Nadu Government & at National Level from IIF, First Indian Foundry in the segment to get OHSAS 18001 & ISO 50001 Certification and Many Kaizen awards.)
Dr. Nithin is a Managing Trustee of a Family Managed Trust involved in activities like rendering Food, Shelter, Education and Medicare. Noted for rendering services during Chennai, Kerala, Tanjore & Nilgiris Floods.
Dr. Nithin’s Academics:
- Ph.D in Management Sciences
- MBA in Finance & Marketing – Gold Medalist and University Topper
- BE Mechanical Engineer with Distinction
- An IRCA certified lead auditor and assessor for ISO 9001.
- A qualified auditor for EMS, OHSAS & EnMS
- L&T Future Leaders Training at IIM – C
Dr. Nithin’s Professional Associations:
- Member & Industry Nominee, Coimbatore Disaster Management Council
- A Guest Faculty to Premier Management Institutes & Was Visiting Faculty to IIM – Calicut
- An examiner for Management Qualifications & Assessor for Management Teachers
- An acknowledged management trainer and consultant
- Is a regular Business Column Writer.
Dr. Nithin is a Member of:
- Foundry Development Council, Ministry of Commerce & Industries, India.
- Institution of Engineers, All India and Coimbatore Management Association
- Board of Studies in Universities & Premier Management Institutes
Dr. Nithin is Winner of:
- The Outstanding Alumni & Distinguished Alumni Awards from PSG Institutions & Bharathiar University.
- The CMA Golden Jubilee Year Best Manager award for the region.
- The Best Management Student award and many accolades at National Level.
- The Mother Teresa Award of Excellence for Young Business Managers.
Dr. Nithin’s Management Interests:
- Management of Innovation, Corporate Strategic Planning and Manufacturing Management, Green Supply Chain
Dr. Nithin can be contacted at :
Mobile : +9194879 46900
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Also read Dr. NITHYANANDAN DEVARAAJ’s earlier articles:
