Don't be just Average; Be the Best

Over the last 20 years or so that I have been a part of the high technology industry, I have been lucky to work with some of the best in the industry. I had always wondered what makes them successful. A successful engineer has the capability to build some really cool products that have lasting effect on consumers and successful businessmen build great companies that stand the test of time. Typically, these successful people have high energy, great confidence in their abilities, positive attitude that keeps their head above water and most importantly their ability to excel in their area of focus. They are not another 'average' Joe but are the 'BEST' in their fields. That should be obvious. Now, the question is: What does it take to be the BEST? Assuming there is a need for your talent, being the best is a confluence of 'who you are', 'what you would like to do' and 'how much effort you put in'. Let us take this one at a time and understand it better.

Who are you? Now, that is a question that people try to get answered in a lifetime. Let us keep it focused on 'who you are' for a successful career as that would identify what you may naturally incline towards. Let me give you an example from my own life. Having graduated from one of the top engineering schools in India, followed that up with a graduate degree in electrical engineering and worked in the high technology industry for over 20 years, you must be thinking that I am an analytical wizard with capabilities to solve any mathematical problem at the back of a paper napkin. However, I have always been less analytical but more conceptual, creative, innovative, visionary, empathic, social and want to be less bothered with the details but more interested in the results. That's indeed the reason why I wandered towards marketing, business development and dealing with human resources. Tools such as MBTI, Emergenetics and AVA offer a way to understand your inner slant and what you would be 'innately' good at. However, as I did, you can figure that out yourself by being true to yourself and understanding what you are good at and most importantly what you are not good at.

Once you have understood your real self (I am talking like a yogi here) and having accepted on what you are good at and what are you not, it is time to take the next step to being the best. What you want to do (or) what would you like to do? What career will bring out the best in you? What profession utilizes most of who you really are and less of who you really are not are? These are not easy questions to answer for most people, especially if you are at the beginning of your career. Ask this question to yourself: What would you like to be doing 24/7 if you had the option to pursue? Be realistic. Most of us need a career to make money. The question is whether you can make money and lots of them by pursuing something you really want to do and that you are innately good at. Think within your confines. Establish boundary conditions if you would like to be realistic.

Having figured out 'who you are' and 'what you really like doing', the next step is simple....Work hard. If you really enjoy what you are doing and it is aligned with who you are and what you want to be doing, you should be spending an enormous amount of time living your dream. There is no substitute to hard work. In this boundryless globalized world, I am sure there is someone in another part of the world who's pursuing the same dream but putting in more effort that you are. The best in the world did not achieve their dreams thinking about it. They worked hard to accomplish it. Accomplishments needs effort and that too a lot of it.

As a manager in your profession or as a dad to your kids, it is important to educate them on these basic principles to be the BEST. Identify early on who you are, what you want to do and work hard to be the best. DON'T BE JUST AVERAGE, BE THE BEST.

Do what you want to do

Most of us spend an enormous amount of time at work, sometimes wondering if we work to live or live to work. There should be no confusion on why we live on this planet. Definitely, not to work 80 hr weeks in a job that one does not have a passion for. How does one realize own passion to make a living? A job where you are eager to jump out of the bed most mornings, get to work and kick some butt.

How and when does one realize ones own passion to make a living? When does one make the switch risking your boring but safe-bet life? There is no right answer. It can happen anytime in your life. When you are no longer having 'fun' most of the time(remember, no job is fun all the time), it is time to try something new. The 'something new' could be what you have been wanting to pursue for a while or a job or an organization that fits your values.

In my case, I took my first job in the USA about 15 years ago as a failure analysis engineer to work on identifying the root cause of failed semiconductor chips and finding a solution. I definitely loved solving problems. However, I missed interacting with people. I, then moved to roles in marketing, general management and even founded a couple of companies. During those times, I realized that one can have fun at work only when there is a match in values between yours and your bosses and the organization's. Leaders2020 and the concept of the Facebook application 'OfficeBook' was born as a result of those years of experience to help job seekers find the right place to work.

However, I have started to realize lately that I truly loved 'helping people' in all those interactions and in all those years. Being an advisor to many friends find their next fun job was something that I really loved. Working with them to understand their requirements, interest and passion and helping colleagues find the right fit interested me. Is human resources (HR) the right place for me? Is it time for another change this late? I am just 40 years young and have over half my life left to enjoy working.

It's never too late for a change. Do what you really want to do. Go for it. Follow your passion.