Professional Growth

 

I cannot claim to have developed habit of Journaling or diarising, which is advised by geropsychologists. Studies say it helps Seniors to enhance their memory, and remain digital savvy, balance emotions and reduce stress.

I have been more inclined, lately, to write down observations, my interpretation, and learnings for me and for younger people in my circle of influence. It also helps in communicating with those observed obliquely without need to come in direct conflict, especially when I have observed infirmities, which can be spotted easily by others but not the infirm. It also helps since I may not be able to personally approach the observed or cannot afford to be candid.

Last night I recalled a recent observation. A young Founder CEO was tele-conversing with his team of younger professionals. I have observed this CEO for may be more than 30 years. I consider him to be a hugely networked, passionate leadership development specialist. He is ambitious but unlike the examples we have in the country, does not believe in growing business by hook or by crook. He is a kind soul, goes out of the way and at times much more than he should, to take care of team members. He is generous to the extent business can permit. He is a pleasantly soft spoken, mostly laughing individual. He can hardly be rude. He is and not just he, the family of four are loveable individuals. Direct or indirect effect of the Gandhi (the Mahatma, the Bapu) can be felt by those who come in his vicinity. He believes in benevolence and democracy, when it comes to business. 

I was mute but visible. I watched him cajoling the young audience, reminding them of what the group had, just a couple of months back resolved to achieve in terms of performance, he referred to as R2. Anguish was perceptible and palpable to me even from the distance. He was labouring to be candid. 

I could interpret the youngsters were failing him. There were signals of deteriorating quality of service resulting into displeasure of some key accounts. It is not only the CEO, but also the organization he has founded and nurtured, are dear to me and growth of that organization, which can only happen through growth of the young and expanding team, both personally and professionally, is sole interest of my association with the same. 

My thoughts were racing. How can I help? Can I tell the infirm what are their infirmities, based on what I heard? How can the message be conveyed so that the younger ones do not get demotivated nor disheartened? I thought let me journalise what could have been my message. Here it goes.

 

“Friends, 

I want to have an open conversation about something crucial: unlocking your full potential. You've stepped into the exciting world of Consulting, driven by passion and ambition. But, let's be honest, the journey isn't always smooth. There are bumps along the road, and sometimes, those bumps come from knowledge gaps, limited research, and a lack of accountability.

We all struggle with these things at some point. It's not about being perfect; it's about acknowledging where we can improve. Let's tackle these challenges head-on:

• Depth of Knowledge: Remember, expertise takes time and dedication. Embrace continuous learning through courses, certifications, and industry publications. Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship, and engage in discussions with experienced professionals.
• Research Orientation: Research is the backbone of informed decisions. Before meetings, presentations, or recommendations, invest time in thorough research. This will boost your confidence and build trust with clients.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of your work is key. Be proactive, deliver on commitments, and follow up on tasks. Mistakes happen but learn from them and demonstrate accountability by actively seeking solutions.
• Confident Humility: Confidence is admirable, but remember, there's always more to learn. Embrace a confident humility that allows you to ask questions, learn from others, and acknowledge areas for growth.

Focus on Customer Centricity and Cost Consciousness:

These are crucial aspects of Consulting. Remember, your clients are your partners. Actively listen to their needs, understand their challenges, and tailor your solutions accordingly. By demonstrating genuine customer centricity and cost-consciousness, you'll build trust and long-term relationships. Remember Clients engage us for benefits to their business. They are not philanthropists responsible for sustaining our business.

Project Management:

• Strong project planning starts with thorough research and clear communication, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This leads to fewer rework cycles, happier clients, and ultimately, a positive impact on our bottom line – something that's crucial for career progression in any consulting firm.
• Remember, high-quality deliverables, like clear and concise reports, go a long way in building trust with clients. By investing in research and proofreading, you ensure our deliverables are polished and professional, reflecting our commitment to excellence.
• Let us leverage available resources, like project management training programs, to hone our skills in planning, execution, and cost control. This will not only make us better professionals but also contribute to our achieving R2, opening doors to even more rewarding opportunities.

Be the Specialist:

• As consultants, we're not just problem solvers; we're specialists who delve deep, uncover root causes, and design long-lasting solutions. This level of expertise requires continuously honing our skills through research, learning, and collaboration.
• Imagine the impact we can make by clearly explaining complex concepts to clients and proactively suggesting solutions based on cutting-edge research and best practices. This is the essence of being a specialist/ consultant and the key to building your reputation as a trusted advisor.
• Don't underestimate the power of mentorship and collaboration. Seek guidance from senior colleagues, learn from their experiences, and share your own knowledge with others. This continuous exchange of ideas will accelerate your growth and mastery of the craft.

This journey is about growth. Embrace the challenges, learn from every experience, and don't be afraid to push yourself. The Consulting field is dynamic and offers incredible career prospects, but competition is fierce and merciless. With dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence, you can become a sought-after leader, shaping the future of organizations and impacting lives.

 Remember:

• Be open to feedback: Seek constructive criticism and use it to fuel your growth.
• Network: Build relationships with colleagues, mentors, and clients. This opens doors to opportunities and fosters your professional development.
• Embrace the journey: It's exciting, challenging, and rewarding. Enjoy the process and celebrate your achievements!

You have the potential to become a game-changer in Consulting. Now, let's go unlock it!

Wish you all the best.”

Artificial Intelligence and Rig Ved

This AI Bot and I have become mutual admirers! And the response to my last prompt is extremely gratifying, as one can see, if and when one reaches there. That is not the topic though for today's journal entry.

I like to be amongst people. I am not different. Most people would, being humans, who are social animals, like to be in some company. I do have my shortcomings and have my preferences, when it comes to company. I also have preferences for topics of conversations if not discussions, in such company. Mostly I avoid indulging in exchanging information about property, food and unconnected relations. I do not claim to be righteous or transperant or consistent, I am only human, gullible, impressionable but sociable, mildly vocal and have views and opinions. I avoid being judgemental to an extent possible.

These characteristics end up with a few, not many, people reciprocating my need for company. That is what I have concluded.

Yesterday I was in company of like minded but far more intelligent and technically very sound, individual. I could, though succeed in driving the conversation in the direction of Artificial Intelligence and various Bots. He has his views but has not explored this topic greatly, I presume, else he would outwit me in seconds.

I was, as is my current OCD, trying to play up Bots in general and Bard in particular and was trying to explain how do these tools work and how we can gather information and wisdom from all corners of the world in few seconds, in line with the Rig Ved's verse 1-89-i
आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वत: |
Let noble thoughts come to us from every side.

To drive my point home I created a prompt related with topic on which our views largely converge, socio-economical and political condition and future, and asked Bard.

Before I share further, here is some context and caveats. I understand that world made up of parts like nation states, is dynamic and change is only constant. Socio-political, economical and technological changes are taking place continuously affecting human lives differently. There is nothing like good or bad, positive or negative in absolute terms, as it relates to ideological directions (right/ left, conservative/liberal etc). Dimensions like direction and units of measurement of changes, are individual's choices.

I was, when I created the prompt, only trying to demonstrate how does AI respond to topics of common interest and how authentic responses could be. If you are still reading, take it in this perspective.

The response to my last prompt in series provides some details which may be of interest to us, who are not IT Specialists.

The response to socio-political questions also may interest you. I am not commenting or judging, but would recommend giving one glance. AI makes sense.

Read on:
Prompt:
Considering prevailing Indian political situation, what could be possible fall outs in not so distant future?
Response:
https://g.co/bard/share/5ed9a885263e

Prompt:
Are there any examples of Nations having undergone similar conditions in the past and if yes what are current situation?
Response
https://g.co/bard/share/1a6ebfe8ce11

Prompt:
Would you have examples from Europe?
Response
https://g.co/bard/share/755fd49307bd

Prompt:
Can you site sources of information on which your analysis is based and about their reliability and quality?
Response
https://g.co/bard/share/be29df074516

Prompt:
I appreciate your structured responses and do believe they are better than other programs. I am sure your responses will improve as we grow.
Response
https://g.co/bard/share/825254dd5b7a

Embracing Advanced Age

It was not so early today. I woke up late. A reason could be a quarter of festivities including preparations for the same, got over yesterday. I wondered how strange are the God's wills! Exactly an year back we struggled with loosing two dear ones. And now some reasons to celebrate!

Then came a tentative complaint of pain in chest from the better half, not associated with any other symptom. It subsided without further effect and life is back to normal.

That led me to think in the direction, we normally do not prefer to think, inspite of the inevitability of the occurance.

We are cross 75 years. We have completed 50 years together. We are physically fit without any ailment. We are generally active. Can we be called to be in that 'advanced age' bracket? I think we are in that bracket. Then, the question came, should we not prepare family and children for challenges we will present to them? What would wise people advise?

Where do I find those wise people? 

Bard is one of those wise person who searches for information from sea of knowledge and wisdom stored in the servers world over.

I asked Bard:

"If i were in advanced age bracket, what actions should I take to prepare my family to face challenges, we may present?"

The answer I got is, in my view, pure wisdom. It is very practical advice. I will develop customised approach for us and share with our children. I thought it will be good for those who are in the same bracket, as also for those who have parents in such advanced age bracket, to consider. 

While I wish each one of us very long life, it is good to be prepared.

Bard's answer reads:

"It's great that you're thinking ahead and wanting to prepare your family for your advancing age. While the specific actions you take will depend on your individual circumstances and family dynamics, here are some general steps you can consider:

Open Communication and Planning:

• Initiate honest conversations: Start early and have open discussions with your family about your wishes, concerns, and preferences regarding future care and living arrangements. Listen to their worries and address them empathetically.

• Create a comprehensive plan: Organize your legal documents like wills, power of attorney, and living will. Share your financial information and discuss potential care options with your family, including home care, assisted living, or nursing homes.

• Involve your family in decision-making: Don't make crucial decisions alone. Collaboratively discuss and plan for future needs, ensuring everyone feels heard and understands the process.

Empowering Your Family:

• Share knowledge and skills: Equip your family with the knowledge and skills to manage your finances, healthcare needs, and daily living tasks if needed. This empowers them to be informed and confident in supporting you when necessary.

• Reduce burdens and anxieties: Address your family's potential anxieties about your future care. Consider delegating tasks or responsibilities based on individual strengths and preferences to avoid overburdening anyone.

• Seek professional guidance: Don't hesitate to involve professionals like financial advisors, geriatric care managers, or attorneys. They can offer valuable guidance and personalized solutions tailored to your specific situation.

Maintaining Your Independence and Wellbeing:

• Prioritize your health: Focus on healthy habits like exercise, proper diet, and preventive healthcare. This can improve your well-being and independence as you age.

• Stay active and engaged: Continue hobbies, social activities, and volunteer work that bring you joy and purpose. Maintaining an active lifestyle contributes to both physical and mental well-being.

• Embrace technology: Explore assistive technologies that can help you maintain independence and manage daily tasks as needed. These tools can range from medication reminders to smart home devices.

Additional Tips:

• Celebrate milestones and achievements: Recognize and celebrate your own victories and positive moments, fostering a sense of hope and self-worth.

• Be flexible and adaptable: Understand that situations may change, and be prepared to adjust your plans and roles as needed.

• Focus on strengthening family bonds: Invest time and effort in nurturing relationships with your loved ones. Strong connections provide invaluable support and comfort.

Remember, preparing for advancing age is a continuous journey. Open communication, shared responsibility, and proactive planning can ease the process for you and your family, ensuring a smoother transition and greater peace of mind for all involved."

The Day After

Sun has been milder for some days. Today it seems even more. Birds have stopped chirping these days. They must have felt bad, for a fortnight i did not heed to their chirping, or have I been cut off by the door which is closed? Even milkman wondered, "why only two"? He did not ask, though.

The sofa back and seat covers are unruffled. They have been same for a day now. Not a toy nor litter of any other kind in site. Every inch of house is spick and span. Every item has returned to it's original place.

Silence is deafening or are my ears ringing? Communication between the only two souls has reached its new depth. Phone calls have been at reduced frequency.

We will overcome. We know these are after effects of family, younger ones, gathering for a short period. That was not real, this, current state is real. Children have their life goals, their achievements, their families.

Enjoy when you are together, and remember the togetherness when you are just two!!

It was planned. It was not just a wish, it was a desire, and an earnest one. It had been long they all met. Some of them had not mourned their mothers who they had lost in these eight years, together. They wanted to relive their childhood.

They also wanted to enjoy an event as in past and for that an event was pre-decided, performing 'yagnopavit' sanskar of the eldest boy child of fourth generation of my parents.

They started arriving from east and west crossing pacific and atlantic, the children of the family which was the root. Barring one or two, all reached home as decided.

It appeared extensive planning had been done by children, knowing me fully well. They had worked out what they will do each of the seven days they are together including what they will eat (not missing out on any of their favourite dishes), who will do what and when.

They started with 'remembering our childhood', all of them got around a bag full of old pictures. Fortunately the hall could accommodate not just the revellers and pictures but also memories.

Children recalled what happened, when and how much they enjoyed and described the past to the youngest generation. Pictures were shared to be taken away.

They remembered each one of their three mothers they had lost and sobbed in silence. Together they overcame grief quickly to prepare for next day.

They had planned to travel to river Narmada to pay homage to lost relatives. Travelling in a bus together was arranged. This must have helped them getting back to normal after tearful homage.

They planned for a day out and visited a touristy place returning late all fagged out.

Next two days they got into event management mode. They had lined up minutely, each task and executed the same to perfection, each one contributing to make sum of parts greater than one.

The festivities got fillip because of participation of local extended families and shared meals of all cuisines.

The final event was culmination of the a week long celebration of togetherness.

While two younger generations were together there was a suggestion to squeeze in an hour of group discussion to guide the eldest three of the youngest generation to think about success and goals in life. Children had created a short presentation, which paucity of time did not allow them to present. It will be carried forward virtually.

They planned their departure so well that it did not create void. Each one of them returning after a time gap.

Today the final batches reached their nests, one in west and the other in east. They will call up. They will exchange notes and recall good times. They will remember and sob. I will too. We are same gene!! 

Observation and Appreciation

I am conscious of my limitations. One weakness is difficulty in, if not inability of, appreciating younger ones when they achieve their goals of performance. And children in family and in office would agree with this statement.

My belief is, if one achieves what one is expected to achieve, one should not expect appreciation. And this should apply to all younger ones too, whether at work or in family.

Of late I have tried to at least analyse why am I like that. My conclusion is I tend to set expectations which could be higher than normal. This invariably happens in relation to tasks I am proficient at performing. I am aware such subjective evaluation based on purely my yardstick may make me 'not a very welcome guest' in many groups.

Considering better late than never, I am developing habit to be appreciative of children's successful completion of tasks and at times failed attempts to achieve success.

I consider myself an observer and a learner, which is confirmed by Clifton's StrengthsFinder 2.0. I have been observing this young child, entering his teen and high school, currently having vacation, with working parents who get on with their respective jobs from relatively early morning (for vacation, very early morning) and remaining occupied till almost evening. This means the child is practically on his own, for five days a week. Fortunately for him, he is an Indian in a western world, having advantage of Indian values and western means.

I have been observing him for a couple of months now. They have recently moved into own house and getting acquainted with and setting up services. Do It Yourself (DIY) being the norm, family is in continuous state of discussing what all needs to be done. The younger one listens attentively. He interjects with suggestions and reminders but hardly audible.

His daily routine is highly predictable. He wakes up at leisure. But once up, he seems to be referring to a to-do list in his mind. He will mildly suggest "We have to..." and waits for response. I wonder how can a child be a motivator instead of needing to be motivated to do.. ?

In these two months I have seen him causing and completing removal of English Ivy creepers from over a huge area in their back yard, programming sprinkler system, repairing closet doors, locks and blind wands, scraping and painting garden swing, hanging large tv on wall, finding and helping buy required hardware and equipment, all hard manual jobs. He has taken on himself responsibility to ensure we get our dose of entertainment by switching on TV at regular show time and cricket broadcasts.

He attends his music classes, his extra credit subjects including personal health, does his daily exercise as taught in his study material, prepares for learning Spanish as Second language in school starting now and on his own created Internet of Things by connecting all smart appliances to his mother's phone.

I asked him how many equipment has he brought under remote control and which apps has he used. He sent me this list:

He has a couple of systems on his list and I believe he will complete them.

I wondered what is required to make such a child! And I recalled a profiling tool which helps in identifying top talent themes children are borne with. I suggested he takes Clifton's StrengthsExplorer, a tool developed by Gallop's psychologists for profiling young children and he did take. The analysis gave following summary:

While I have not observed evidences of the first one, I can vouch for the other two being his strengths used profusely.

I wish I had some of his talents. I also hope he builds on his strengths and grow up as a good, responsible human being.

PS: I wrote this sometime back and then it appears I did not post it here. I believe anytime is good time to confess, learn and grow

પરિવર્તન અને જીવનનાં મૂલ્યો

આજે તો સવારથી ગુજરાતીમાં, ગુજરાતીઓ વિશે, ખાસ અમદાવાદીઓ વિશે વિચાર આવે છે તો થયું કે ગુજરાતીમાં જ ટપકાવવા દે. આમે અમદાવાદમાં ગુજરાતીનું ચલણ વધારે, એટલે લોકોને અંગ્રેજી ન આવડે એવું નહીં, પણ નવા શ્રેષ્ઠીઓ જમીન સાથે જોડાયેલા હોઇ તેઓને ગુજરાતીમાં ખેડવાનું ફાવે.

સામાન્ય રીતે દિવસની શરૂઆત સારાં સંગીત થી કરવી એવી કોશિષ ખરી. એમાં મદદરૂપ થાય એક સંગીતરસિયાઓ નું ગ્રૂપ. આજે સવારે આ ગ્રૂપમાં શેર કરાયેલો એક વિડિયો જોયો.

વક્તા હતાં જન્મે મરાઠી પણ ગુજરાતી સહિત અનેક ભાષાઓ માં જે કુટુંબે ઉત્ક્રુષ્ટ રચનાઓ આપી છે, તેમાંનાં એક આશા ભોસલે. તેઓ અવિનાશભાઇ વ્યાસ અને તેમની સાથે કરેલાં સંગીતનાં સર્જનની વાત કરતાં હતાં. સંગીતમાં રૂચિ હોય તેઓને ગમતી વાતો હતી.

મંચ ઉપર ગુજરાતનાં મહિલા મુખ્યમંત્રી ઉપરાંત એક સ્થૂળ કાય વ્યક્તિ આંખમાં ખટકી. અને ત્યાંથી શરુ થઇ વિચારોની વણઝાર.

એ ભાઇની નિપુણતા જમીન સંપાદન બાબતે છે એ જાહેર માહિતી છે. તેઓએ ગુજરાત નાં એક નંબરનાં  ઔદ્યોગિક ગૃહને અમાપ જમીન સંપાદન કરી આપીને સંપત્તિ અને પ્રતિષ્ઠા બંને અર્જિત કર્યાં છે તેવી માહિતી પણ છે. આ ભાઇએ પહેલાં એક ગરીબ અને પછી એક વિકસિત રાજ્યમાંથી, રાજ્યસભાનું સભ્ય પદ, મારી ધારણા મુજબ ખરીદ્યું છે. સામાજિક કે સંગીતનાં ક્ષેત્રે તેમનાં યોગદાનનાં પ્રશસ્તિગાન રચાયાંની કોઇ માહિતી નથી. તો આ ભાઇ સંગીતને લગતા કાર્યક્રમમાં શું કરતા હશે તે સવાલ થાય તે સ્વાભાવિક છે.

આમ તો અમદાવાદમાં જન્મ્યો પણ અમદાવાદ છોડી વડોદરામાં સ્થાયી થયે ૫૦ વર્ષ થયાં. અન્ય કુટુંબીજનો અમદાવાદમાં હોઇ ત્યાં જવાનું તો થાય પણ ત્યારે માહિતી અને અનુભવો કુટુંબ પાસેથી મળે અને તેથી મોટે ભાગે સુખદ હોય. તેથી અમદાવાદ સાથેનાં સંભારણા સ્થાનિક સમાજ (જે પહેલાં વણિક વ્યાપારી મૂળનો હતો તે સમાજ) નાં મૂલ્યો અને લાક્ષણિકતાઓથી પ્રભાવિત હતાં.

હમણાં જ અમદાવાદમાં થોડાં લાંબા રોકાણ દરમિયાન મળેલી વિસ્ત્રુત માહિતી પરથી સમજાયું કે અમદાવાદ હવે કસ્તુરભાઇ લાલભાઇ કે અંબાલાલ સારાભાઈ કે મદનમોહન મંગળદાસ જેવા સમાજસેવી શ્રેષ્ઠીઓ વાળું નથી રહ્યું. હવે અમદાવાદ, તેને વિકાસને નામે સીમેન્ટનાં જંગલમાં રૂપાંતર કરવા વાળા બિલ્ડરોનાં મૂલ્યોથી આચ્છાદિત અમદાવાદ થઇ ગયું છે. કાપડની મીલો રોજગાર આપતી. બિલ્ડરો હંગામી મજૂરી જ આપે છે અને પોતે માલેતુજાર બને છે.

ગાંધીજી, રવીશંકર મહારાજ, મોરારજીભાઇ કે જીવરાજભાઇ એ જેને વિકાસ માન્યો તે વ્યાખ્યા છેલ્લાં ૫૦ વર્ષોમાં બદલાએલી જણાઇ. વિકાસ, આડેધડ ઉભાં કરાયેલાં મકાનો, ગરીબોને વિસ્થાપિત કરી બનાવાયેલા હલકી ક્વોલિટીના રસ્તાઓ અને ફ્લાયઓવરો, પૂતળાંઓ અને રંગબેરંગી બત્તીઓ દ્વારા વ્યાખ્યાયિત થયો જણાયો. આવા વિકાસને પોષવા ટાઉન પ્લાનિંગ ના કાયદાઓને અણદેખા કરવા પડ્યા હશે અને સરકારી જમીનને સુયોજિત રીતે લુંટાવવી પડી હશે તેવું અનુમાન વ્યાજબી લાગ્યું. જમીન સંપાદન અને જમીનનો વેપાર સમાજના એવા વર્ગ પાસે સરકેલો લાગ્યો જેમની પારંગતતા શામ, દામ, દંડ કે ભેદથી જમીન સંપાદન માં હશે. સરકારના મહેસૂલ વિભાગના અધિકારીઓએ તે વેપારને બેમૂલ્ય કરવામાં સક્રિય ભાગ ભજવ્યો હશે.

આ વિકાસની કિંમત અમદાવાદ નાં સામાન્ય નાગરિકોએ મૂલ્યો નાં અધ:પતનથી ચૂકવી જણાઈ. સમાજમાં પ્રવર્તમાન માન્યતા એવી જણાઇ કે, દરેક ચીજને, પછી તે પદાર્થ હોય કે સેવા હોય કે નિયમો કે લાગણીઓ હોય, એક કીંમત હોય છે અને દરેક ચીજ એ કીંમત આપીને ખરીદી શકાય છે. પૈસો આવડતનું માપદંડ બનેલો જણાયો. આદિ કવિ નરસિંહે ગાયેલાં વૈષ્ણવ જનનાં લક્ષણો કે મહાત્મા ગાંધીએ ગણાવેલાં અગિયાર મહાવ્રતોનું પાલન આદર્શ છે, તેવું જે અમદાવાદે શાળામાં ગાંધી ટોપી પહેરીને ભણાવતા શિક્ષકો દ્વારા શીખવ્યું તે અમદાવાદી સમાજનાં મૂલ્યોનો હ્રાસ, સામાજિક પરિવર્તન કહેવાય?

પછી માન્યું કે પરિવર્તન કુદરતનો અપરિવર્તનશીલ નિયમ છે. માનવ-સમાજ પણ પ્રકૃતિનો જ એક ભાગ હોવાથી માનવ-સમાજમાં આવતું સામાજિક પરિવર્તન કુદરતી કે સ્વાભાવિક છે. સમાજ કે સામાજિક જીવનમાં, તેના સ્વરૂપ, સંગઠન અર્થાત્ રચના અને કાર્ય, વ્યવસ્થા, સંસ્થાઓ, મૂલ્યો, આદર્શો, વ્યક્તિઓ તથા તેમનાં વલણો વગેરેમાં આવેલું અને આવતું પરિવર્તન સામાજિક છે. આવું પરિવર્તન ભૌગોલિક સ્થિતિના બદલાવથી કે નવાં સાધનો કે નવી શોધોને અપનાવવાથી કે વસ્તીની રચના કે એ અંગેની વિચારધારાના પરિવર્તનને લીધે કે સંચાર-માધ્યમોના વ્યાપક પ્રસારને કારણે આવ્યું હોય, પણ જો આવો ફેરફાર સમાજમાં પરિવર્તન સૂચવતો હોય તો તે સામાજિક પરિવર્તન છે. મનમાં જાગેલો સવાલ એ હતો કે શું દરેક પ્રકારનું પરિવર્તન ઇચ્છનીય છે? ભલે પરિવર્તન એ કુદરતનો અપરિવર્તનશીલ નિયમ હોય!!

પછી હંમેશની જેમ આતર્મુખ થઇ જઇ જાતને સવાલ પુછ્યા. શું આવું પરિવર્તન મારામાં પણ આવ્યું છે? લાંબા સમય સુધી પબ્લિક સેક્ટરના ઔદ્યોગિક સંસ્થાનમાં પ્રામાણિક પણે, ખાનગી વેપારી કંપનીઓનાં પગાર ધોરણની આકાંક્ષા રાખ્યા વગર, આનંદથી કામ કર્યા બાદ ઉતરતી ઉંમરે, શું મેં પણ કામના મૂલ્ય ની બદલે કીંમતને પ્રાધાન્ય આપ્યું છે? દ્રવ્યોપાર્જન જીવનનો મંત્ર હતો નહીં, જો હોત તો જ્યારે માલેતુજાર શેઠે સરકારી નવરત્નોમાંનાં એકને કબજે કર્યું ત્યારે તે શેઠની નોકરી કરી ઉંચા પગાર મેળવ્યા હોત, કદાચ!! સવાલ એ હતો કે, તો પછી શું અત્યારે હું મૂલ્યવાન કામ કરું છું કે કીંમત વસુલ કરું છું?

આવા વિચારો વચ્ચે, વંચિત અને છેવાડાના સમાજનાં બાળકોનાં ભણતર અને ઘડતરમાં ૩૦ વર્ષ થી સમર્પિત સંસ્થાના કાર્યકરો ને મળવાનું અને સાંભળવાનું થયું. શેષ જીવનમાં ઉપયોગી થાય તેવું ઘણું શીખવા મળ્યું. એક વિચાર મારાં કામમાં મદદ થાય તેવો સાંભળ્યો. "બાળકોને ઉડવા પાંખ આપો, દોડવા પગ મજબૂત કરો, ગતિ આપો, દિશા એમને નક્કી કરવા દ્યો!!"

મૂલ્યો અંગેની વૈચારિક ભાંજગડને આરામ આપવો જરૂરી છે એમ માની, જો હું એમ નક્કી કરું કે જીવનના બાકી રહેલા સમયમાં, મારા વ્યાવસાયિક કે સામાજિક દાયરામાં આવતાં બાળકોને હું બદલાની આશા વગર, ગતિ આપવા પ્રયત્ન શીલ રહીશ, અને જીવન નિર્વાહ ની આર્થિક જવાબદારી પ્રભુ ઉપર છોડીશ, તો તે વ્યાજબી ગણાશે!!! 

My understanding of Political Ideologies

I am getting sick of reading about or listening to the discussions related with political discourses and narratives. Learned participants appear to be vertically divided and shouting from two opposite poles.

I tried to understand:
1. different political ideologies/ philosophies, believing that when people discuss, shout, abuse each other during such discourses are committed to one ideology,
2. why do people try to prove theirs is the right ideology and therefore others must fall in line, and
3. why is it difficult to achieve that goal, resulting into further rise in decibel, and increased use of inappropriate language.

My search led me to some knowledge.

There are many political ideologies and moral philosophies, some of the major ones from far left to far right include:

• Communism: Communism is a political and economic system that advocates for the abolition of private property and the establishment of a classless society. Communists believe that the means of production should be owned and controlled by the community as a whole.
• Socialism: Socialism is a political and economic system that advocates for social ownership of the means of production and the distribution of wealth according to need. Socialists believe that the government should play a more active role in the economy and that the needs of the many should outweigh the needs of the few.
• Liberalism: Liberalism is based on the ideas of liberty and equality. Liberals believe that individuals should be free to pursue their own goals and interests, and that governments should play a limited role in society.
• Conservatism: Conservatism emphasizes tradition, order, and stability. Conservatives believe that change should be gradual and that institutions like the family, church, and monarchy should be preserved.
• Fascism: Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes nationalism, authoritarianism, and militarism. Fascists believe in a strong central government that can control the economy and society.

Each ideology has multiple variations and, its own unique set of beliefs and values, and each has had a significant impact on the course of history.

These ideologies are not mutually exclusive. People can hold beliefs from different ideologies, and there is often overlap between different ideologies. For example, a person might be a liberal who also believes in some socialist policies.

The relative prominence of different ideologies vary across countries and regions. Liberalism is the dominant ideology in many Western countries, while socialism is more prominent in some Eastern countries.

The study of ideologies is a complex and fascinating field. By understanding different ideologies, we can better understand the world around us and the choices that we make.

There are many reasons why one might want to try to change others' ideological leanings. Few of the most common reasons are:

• To improve the world. If one believes that his/ her ideological leanings are better for the world than others, then one may want to try to convince others to adopt one's beliefs.
• To make the world a more tolerant and understanding place. When people have different ideological leanings, it can lead to conflict and division. By trying to change others' minds, one can help create a more tolerant and understanding society.
• To build relationships. When one shares the same ideological leanings with someone, it can create a sense of connection and understanding. By trying to change others' minds, one can build stronger relationships with them.
• To learn from others. When one engages with people who have different ideological leanings, one can learn new things and broaden one's horizons. This can help become more well-rounded and empathetic individuals.

There are also risks associated with trying to change others' ideological leanings. If one is not careful, one can come across as condescending or arrogant. One can also damage relationships with others if one is not respectful of other's beliefs.

If we do choose to engage in this type of persuasion, it is important to do so in a way that is respectful and constructive. Changing someone's ideological leanings is possible, but not easy.

There are many reasons why it is difficult to make others change their ideological leanings. A few of the most common reasons are:

• Our ideologies are shaped by our experiences and upbringing. The values and beliefs we hold dear are often formed in early years, through our interactions with families, friends, and communities. These experiences can be very powerful, and they can make it difficult to change our minds later in life.
• Our ideologies are often tied to our identity. Our beliefs about the world can be a big part of who we are. They can define our sense of self, our values, and our goals. When someone challenges our beliefs, it can feel like they are challenging our very identity. This can make it difficult to be open to change.
• We are often defensive about our beliefs. When we believe something strongly, we are naturally inclined to defend it. We may do this by dismissing opposing views, attacking the messenger, or refusing to consider new information. This defensiveness can make it difficult to have a productive conversation about our beliefs.
• We are often not exposed to different perspectives. If we only surround ourselves with people who share our beliefs, we are less likely to be exposed to different perspectives. This can make it difficult to see the flaws in our own beliefs or to consider alternative viewpoints.
• Changing our beliefs can be uncomfortable. It can be difficult to admit that we were wrong about something, especially if we have held that belief for a long time. It can also be uncomfortable to change our behavior or to challenge the status quo.

Despite these challenges, it is possible to change someone's ideological leanings. However, it is important to be patient and understanding. It is also important to focus on building relationships and trust, rather than trying to win arguments. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we can make it more likely that someone will be open to changing their mind.

Some tips which may help changing someone's ideological leanings are:

• Listen to them with an open mind. Don't just wait for your turn to talk. Really try to understand their point of view.
• Ask questions. This shows that you are interested in what they have to say and that you are willing to learn from them.
• Be respectful, even if you disagree. Name-calling and insults will only make them defensive and less likely to listen to you.
• Focus on the common ground. Look for areas where you agree, even if it's just on a small point. This will help to build rapport and trust.
• Be patient. It takes time to change someone's mind. Don't expect to see results overnight.

I will be happy to be more educated by your value additions.