Enabling Success

Ever wondered what success really means? It definitely results in elation, money, recognition but why is it some people are more successful? Luck is a factor, but is that the only one?

Expectations and Capabilities!

These two words summaries the equation of success in most comprehensive way. Success is always the difference between expectations (others’ and your own) and capabilities (your own and environment). On the other hand failure is also difference between expectations and capabilities. We know which one is less in this case. But we are not interested in talking about failure are we?

Expectations

In most of the cases people have expectations from their yet-to-be-born children. The day we are born these expectations take even deeper roots and our chase begins. As we grow we keep attracting expectations of ever expanding network of friends, siblings, teachers, peers, boss, wife, children etc. These said and unsaid expectations start sticking on our psyche like loud-yellow colored Post-its which cannot be removed. We have expectations from the monks and gypsies as well. We expect them to live and behave like one. Don’t we? Self-proclaimed scandalous gurus, gypsy’s et al are looked down upon.

Coming back to general populace. In many cases we put some of these expectations in the back-burner and completely forget them in our rush to be successful materialistically. Most of these are from the relations we take for granted and these are the people who know us best (friends, parents, family). We learn quite late in our life that these were the expectations we should have focused on. Sad indeed!

Managing and/or setting expectations

As long as these expectations are not our own (buy a new house, car, kids educations etc) we believe such expectations are unjust. That’s human nature, nothing wrong with it. But the expectations from your boss, colleagues, and friends still exist. Like it or not. If you are not evaluated positively on these you are termed as “not-trustworthy”. This is no less than a failure. Is it not?

Right approach would be to either manage the expectations (lets drink next week instead of this one?, can I work over the week end and deliver the document one day late?) or better still to set the expectations (I believe this would require more time I would require 6 days instead of 3, this is new to me and I may not be as productive on this one, these targets are too high can we rework the first two quarter targets and shift rest to third and fourth?).

Setting right expectations is more critical if we are managing teams. Once team members are clear with what is expected out of them the results are usually as per expectation. In the conducive team environments (as has been experience) team members themselves try to set their expectations (I am very good technical lead and can be a good PM as well, I have X number of experience and I should be a module lead etc). Such instances (of team member coming forward with their expectations) must be encouraged and supported. If such members succeed with their new role/endeavors, good, if not then not only the member but the team itself ends up learning about their capabilities and also appreciate the environment. In turn such instances also promote innovation and risk taking capabilities of individuals, teams and organizations.

Capabilities

Our own capability is the other part of the equation which is much easier to deal with. It’s easy because you have to deal ONLY with self. But then that’s a universe in itself.

Lets’ face it. All of us are not born equal. We all have our own uniqueness and capabilities suiting which, in this universe, there exists a job profile in which we will excel. But then we do not have luxury of time and money to search for that best-fit job. Do we? So we end up becoming a well-rounded personality fit to become part of an organization.

Individual’s capabilities are impacted or governed by three critical aspects. These are talent, knowledge and skill (as per “First break all the rules” by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman published based on a study by Gallup International).

Talent is something we are born with and no amount of education and experience can make one talented. If you are talented then you surely are one lucky person. Congrats! Success will definitely knock your doors if you are in the profession matching your talent.

Knowledge and skill is something we keep acquiring our whole life if we are attentive and observing type. People more connected and aware of their environment are usually more knowledgeable and skillful. Such people are more sociable and socially aware as well. Success comes easily to such types in their chosen fields.

As a person responsible for guiding a team (even in family) it’s the paramount responsibility of the leader to help people realize their talent (if exists), skill and make them aware of the environment. Knowledge follows automatically. Doing so would help people realize their true potential. That’s what capability is in the first place. Isn’t it?

As an individual, as long as we keep pushing the limits of our capabilities (read skill and knowledge) beyond our and others expectations we would be infinitely successful. Bu then infinite is applicable only to either universe or human emotions (and suffering as well)!

At the organization level, capabilities are sum total of the leadership (management as well) and core values. Most of the organizations really do not give enough oxygen to each and every individual’s aspirations/capabilities; whereas some do, to have an impact on the organizational capabilities and values. It’s a bus going somewhere if your destination is same “hope on”!

But then organizations are made of us, the individuals.

Ride on it’s your own road and your own destiny! Success is yours.