When I was a kid, my parents always had a role model identified for me. First it was my father's colleague's son, then my computer engineer cousin, and later another colleague's daughter, and so on. I was regularly measured against them. It was terrible. I always felt inadequate and had low self esteem. Nothing I did seemed good enough. When my parents had one person up there on the pedestal, I looked at the whole package and was not inspired. While these role models were good in one aspect, they were not perfect in all aspects.
Now I am much older and wiser (or at least I hope I am!). Now I think of the role model issue in a whole different way. I still have role models that inspire me but it is not packaged in one single person. Rather, it is an amalgamation of qualities in people that I aspire to emulate, it's a hybrid. I believe that we all have our own misgivings and frailties, and that no one person is perfect in all respects. I would rather emulate the good qualities of a person than strike them down since the whole package is not perfect. So here is the list of qualities my Role Model has:
Available and Accessible.
My role model for this attribute is Sue Murphy, the CEO of Water Corporation, Australia. When I was working in Perth, I learned that Sue was named the CEO of WaterCorp. I was inspired to find a woman leading such a distinguished organization. I went to my desk and and sent her a humble email asking for an appointment, half expecting that I will not get a reply. Within 30 minutes, I had a reply and within a day I had an appointment to see her. We had coffee and talked about our lives and what got us there. After that, during my tenure in Perth, I met with her every couple months. She gave me a lot of advice, about management issues, her lessons learned at work and life, book suggestions, introductions to others in the organization, etc. She did not need me, I needed her. Who was I compared to her? It was her magnanimity that she made time for me. From that day I resolved that no matter what my 'size' is in this world, that is in position, fame, money, status, or anything else that most of us crave for, I want to be accessible to people who need help, advice, or a nudge of confidence from me. Nothing should be more important than being available and accessible to the person in need. Sue is not the only one who helped me along, there have been many benevolent souls that have made a similar impact in my life. So, I will pass it forward, in whatever little way I am able.
Lead by Example
Cindy Miller, VP at RBF Consulting is my hero in this category. I am yet to meet anyone else who can top Cindy's example. I met her when I started working at RBF in 2003 and she was my supervisor. We developed a fantastic rapport and even to this day we remain close friends and confidants. Everything she proposed to her staff, she led by example. She expected dedication, hard work, and high quality and not once could anyone say or show that she herself did not live up to it. If she expected us to put in 100%, she put in 200%. This example left no choice but for us to feel enthused and to emulate her. I was so inspired that I was prepared to do whatever it takes to get the tasks completed. I talk of one such example here. Now, 11 years on, she has not changed a bit. She is still her old self, caring and forthright, leading by example. Even now, when we have lunch or spend an evening together or even just a phone call, I feel her inspiration shining through. It motivates me.
Effective Manager
A shining example of how a manager should be is David Barnetson, Project Director at Black & Veatch. I had the privilege to work with him at W2WA where he was the Operations Manager during a very difficult time at the Alliance. It was fascinating to watch him work, keep his cool no matter what the issue is, and then steer in the right solution. There was never any frustration, nor anxiety, nor stress. There was efficient planning in everything we did, he expressed his mind and expectations very clearly, and if ever there was an outcome that was different from expectations we worked out a plan to address it. He always gave people a chance along with the benefit of doubt, but when strong action needed to be taken, he just did it. I spent eight months with him and wish I had more time to learn. (I loved his Scottish accent too!)
Expression and Messaging
Neil deGrasse Tyson is a master in communication and I admire him. Every time I hear him speak or read his writings, I love it. He uses simple language and logic to get the point across. Even when he is arguing or setting up a strong opposition, his nuanced but direct method of stating facts and then building up from it seems amazing to me. I aim to be like him someday and be able to clearly communicate my ideas, my thoughts, and my feelings.
Self-directed Humor
I am working on the ability to laugh at myself and my life. I have to admit, I struggle at this, but I am getting better at it. I suppose I am mature enough to figure out that it is important, but not mature enough to be able to let go of my ego and be brave enough to make myself a laughing stock. I have read many books and observed other people doing it, and I am slowing getting the hang of it. I think the best person in this arena was probably Bob Hope. I have not heard and read all his work, but he sure inspires me. So does Woody Allen.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
I am a voracious reader of Fast Company and other such forums that highlight design and development of innovative ideas. I thrive on stories of entrepreneurs innovating to make the world a better place. I feel that by pursuing articles, podcasts, and biographies of entrepreneurs, I have become more open and willing to knowledge and perspectives, no matter where it is coming from and from whom. I am also learning new vocabulary of being optimistic and realistic at the same time.
Tenacity
Rafe Esquith steals the trophy on this attribute. I have read his books and they are a constant source of motivation for me. Since 1984 he has been teaching kids in this run down portion of LA and has been doing it without rest. He reminds me that life is a marathon and we should not try to sprint through it. We should take it slow and endure the journey, there are indeed no short cuts. We should focus on the act and not so much on the results. The results are indeed not in our hands, but we have the present in our own hands free to be molded to our desire. The tenacity to last this long, through troubled times and good times, just hanging in there is a great lesson for me.
Inner Peace
Since I was 11 I have been seeking inner peace. Of course, I did not know that word then, its only very recently that I was able to label my search. I seem to seek two things. One, happiness or the 'more' in life. And two, safety, security, some money in the bank to keep me going till the end of days. I am seeking that middle path where I can lead a practical, competent, skillful, worldly life with every moment infused with the spirit of harmony and peace. My brief sojourn with Vipassana in 2010 showed me that it is possible, now I have a lifetime to practice and make it work. My inspiration here is the Dalai Lama and teachers like him.
Now I am much older and wiser (or at least I hope I am!). Now I think of the role model issue in a whole different way. I still have role models that inspire me but it is not packaged in one single person. Rather, it is an amalgamation of qualities in people that I aspire to emulate, it's a hybrid. I believe that we all have our own misgivings and frailties, and that no one person is perfect in all respects. I would rather emulate the good qualities of a person than strike them down since the whole package is not perfect. So here is the list of qualities my Role Model has:
Available and Accessible.
My role model for this attribute is Sue Murphy, the CEO of Water Corporation, Australia. When I was working in Perth, I learned that Sue was named the CEO of WaterCorp. I was inspired to find a woman leading such a distinguished organization. I went to my desk and and sent her a humble email asking for an appointment, half expecting that I will not get a reply. Within 30 minutes, I had a reply and within a day I had an appointment to see her. We had coffee and talked about our lives and what got us there. After that, during my tenure in Perth, I met with her every couple months. She gave me a lot of advice, about management issues, her lessons learned at work and life, book suggestions, introductions to others in the organization, etc. She did not need me, I needed her. Who was I compared to her? It was her magnanimity that she made time for me. From that day I resolved that no matter what my 'size' is in this world, that is in position, fame, money, status, or anything else that most of us crave for, I want to be accessible to people who need help, advice, or a nudge of confidence from me. Nothing should be more important than being available and accessible to the person in need. Sue is not the only one who helped me along, there have been many benevolent souls that have made a similar impact in my life. So, I will pass it forward, in whatever little way I am able.
Lead by Example
Cindy Miller, VP at RBF Consulting is my hero in this category. I am yet to meet anyone else who can top Cindy's example. I met her when I started working at RBF in 2003 and she was my supervisor. We developed a fantastic rapport and even to this day we remain close friends and confidants. Everything she proposed to her staff, she led by example. She expected dedication, hard work, and high quality and not once could anyone say or show that she herself did not live up to it. If she expected us to put in 100%, she put in 200%. This example left no choice but for us to feel enthused and to emulate her. I was so inspired that I was prepared to do whatever it takes to get the tasks completed. I talk of one such example here. Now, 11 years on, she has not changed a bit. She is still her old self, caring and forthright, leading by example. Even now, when we have lunch or spend an evening together or even just a phone call, I feel her inspiration shining through. It motivates me.
Effective Manager
A shining example of how a manager should be is David Barnetson, Project Director at Black & Veatch. I had the privilege to work with him at W2WA where he was the Operations Manager during a very difficult time at the Alliance. It was fascinating to watch him work, keep his cool no matter what the issue is, and then steer in the right solution. There was never any frustration, nor anxiety, nor stress. There was efficient planning in everything we did, he expressed his mind and expectations very clearly, and if ever there was an outcome that was different from expectations we worked out a plan to address it. He always gave people a chance along with the benefit of doubt, but when strong action needed to be taken, he just did it. I spent eight months with him and wish I had more time to learn. (I loved his Scottish accent too!)
Expression and Messaging
Neil deGrasse Tyson is a master in communication and I admire him. Every time I hear him speak or read his writings, I love it. He uses simple language and logic to get the point across. Even when he is arguing or setting up a strong opposition, his nuanced but direct method of stating facts and then building up from it seems amazing to me. I aim to be like him someday and be able to clearly communicate my ideas, my thoughts, and my feelings.
Self-directed Humor
I am working on the ability to laugh at myself and my life. I have to admit, I struggle at this, but I am getting better at it. I suppose I am mature enough to figure out that it is important, but not mature enough to be able to let go of my ego and be brave enough to make myself a laughing stock. I have read many books and observed other people doing it, and I am slowing getting the hang of it. I think the best person in this arena was probably Bob Hope. I have not heard and read all his work, but he sure inspires me. So does Woody Allen.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
I am a voracious reader of Fast Company and other such forums that highlight design and development of innovative ideas. I thrive on stories of entrepreneurs innovating to make the world a better place. I feel that by pursuing articles, podcasts, and biographies of entrepreneurs, I have become more open and willing to knowledge and perspectives, no matter where it is coming from and from whom. I am also learning new vocabulary of being optimistic and realistic at the same time.
Tenacity
Rafe Esquith steals the trophy on this attribute. I have read his books and they are a constant source of motivation for me. Since 1984 he has been teaching kids in this run down portion of LA and has been doing it without rest. He reminds me that life is a marathon and we should not try to sprint through it. We should take it slow and endure the journey, there are indeed no short cuts. We should focus on the act and not so much on the results. The results are indeed not in our hands, but we have the present in our own hands free to be molded to our desire. The tenacity to last this long, through troubled times and good times, just hanging in there is a great lesson for me.
Inner Peace
Since I was 11 I have been seeking inner peace. Of course, I did not know that word then, its only very recently that I was able to label my search. I seem to seek two things. One, happiness or the 'more' in life. And two, safety, security, some money in the bank to keep me going till the end of days. I am seeking that middle path where I can lead a practical, competent, skillful, worldly life with every moment infused with the spirit of harmony and peace. My brief sojourn with Vipassana in 2010 showed me that it is possible, now I have a lifetime to practice and make it work. My inspiration here is the Dalai Lama and teachers like him.
