MSD, the magicain at work!!!

Here's the one who negotiates the 22 yards like 64 squares. 

Cricket means a lot to Indian fans. While we normally go berserk in celebrating hard earned victories, the celebrations turn manifold when it comes against an Aussie side or Pakistan for whatever reason it may be. Yet it is, but a wonder when we get to see MS Dhoni react to wins, be it in an international game or an IPL game. A subtle smile and a mild sense of relief is all what we get to witness from our captain cool. 

But I'm sure none of us would have missed on noticing that extra enthusiasm in his celebration after India wrapped up the second test against the Aussies a couple of months back at Hyderabad (of course we had once witnessed an outburst from the captain when he led CSK to an improbable win against Kings XI in IPL 2010 which was an exception). What normally would be a smile followed by the uprooting of a stump for his souvenir collection turned out to be quite fan like. The reason - it was extra special. He pumped his fist in celebration and exchanged hi-fives, he showed it meant a lot to him too and it certainly did. With that victory, he became the most successful India Test captain. Some may have found it hard to believe (as a hardcore fan of Dada, I did), but he surpassed Sourav Ganguly's record of 21 test wins. 

Over the course of his career, "the Captain Cool" image seems to have run out. Not that he has lost his cool now but then a transformation to being a committed leader has taken fore. A visibly pro-active, attacking and more involved leader who seems to be reinventing himself at every turn with both captaincy and the bat. The circumstances off late have forced Dhoni to discover a more urgent, inspiring manner in which to lead this young Indian cricket team. Under any situation, he doesn't disclose too much which would let opposition know about what's going on in his mind. I just doubt if his own teammates have any idea of what he's thinking. He has probably got the best cricketing brains around which we so often hear from most cricket experts. Captaining, batting at death, standing up to pace bowlers; he does it all and yet excels in his own way and lets all his critics in awe. 

Over the last couple of years or so, Dhoni has wielded his willow tremendously under pressure to win matches for not just India but also for his side in the Indian Premier League. It is so astonishing to witness his ability to score winning runs in dying moments of the matches, when all chips are down. As a one off it is remarkable enough, but the fact is that Dhoni keeps doing this time and again - in ODIs, in IPL matches, even in world cup finals, and the stage doesn't get any bigger than that. You watch him and marvel at his skill and bravado and unrelenting consistency. There is this total certainty in his body language, which is intensely reassuring to his team-mates and utterly demoralizing to his opponents.

While chasing down big totals, he often chooses to leave it a little late (getting things too close for comfort) or we may think so but the fact remains that he makes his final assault then and leads his side to victory with his typical calmness. (Giving a glimpse of hope of a win for the opponents and then snatching it right away seems a bit cruel though). Many critics have stressed on finishing things off early but that doesn't deter MSD from what he does best. Wait and strike a late assault. And if you think he does it to only bowlers of little reputation; you are mistaken. He has done it to the best in business. The Malingas, Steyns, Andersons, Ajmals... have all got their share from him.

There is an inevitability in what he is going to do. All his opponents exactly know what his intentions are. And yet they seem inert, and he is unstoppable, almost invincible, fueled as he is by the power of positive thought and calmness which is bound to cast the opposition in utter stress. He is a magician wagging his wand not only on his fielders but also on the minds of his haters. He turns them all into liking him over the course and he does it with a touch of elegance which is not a feature of his batting. You can but admire him for what he is and what he does in the cricketing field. 

For time to come, lets hope his magic continues to take Indian cricket to great heights.

- DC

What usually comes between you and pay hike???

It's that time of the year again, and you are hoping for a raise but nervous that you'll be 'overlooked' like last year. Here's what could be coming between you and the hike

You ideate, plan and toil all through the year but when appraisal season kicks in, you usually have neither a decent raise nor a promotion to brag about.

It's not as if companies are holding back on rewards. The annual salary increment survey by global human resource consulting Aon Hewitt revealed that the average salary increments in 2013 will be 10.3 per cent, as compared to the 11 per cent raise in 2012. Key talent will reportedly walk away with an average 14.1 per cent pay hike.

But if, despite all your efforts, you continue to come up against a wall, here's possibly why:

You miss the big picture
Suryanarayan Subramaniam, National HR Head, Tata AIG General Insurance
Every employee must understand his role in the unit, and figure how the unit functions and affects the organisation's growth. An understanding of how he can contribute to its growth, and consequently the progress of the organisation, is vital. So apart from figuring your function at a micro level, look at the bigger picture. It'll help you with time management and decision making. Display initiative. Someone who goes beyond his call is bound to be rewarded.

You only do what you are told
Nitin Srivastava, CEO, Mindworks Global Media Services
Things work at the workplace as they would in any aspect of life. Are you likely to have a more rewarding life if you push the envelope, or if you settle with things around you? A company and its people are incentivised to grow and yet the path to growth is not always well laid out. It is a work in progress. So the person who sees his or her work in this context, beyond what has been defined, is naturally a better fit. That's why he or she is selected over others for promotions and better raises.

Skipping research
Adrian Williams, HR Head, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
An employee's growth is as much his responsibility as it is the company's. Given today's rapidly changing business environment, staying relevant is key. This calls for a 'cando' attitude, an in-depth awareness of the industry you work in, the market and organisation and focusing on your competency. Everyone expects a promotion, but it comes to those who are constantly abreast with the company's vision and align their competencies to the requirement of the next role.

You refuse to skill up
Ishan Gupta, Co-founder, EduKart
Slogging and dedication don't always result in an appraisal. A competitive business environment requires 'smart' workers. One way to be one is to stay up to date with trends in the market and upgrade your skill set. Follow industry articles and the latest research when you have the time. Up-skill and re-skill as often as you can. Several young professionals sign up for diploma and degree courses in a bid to move up the corporate ladder. It works.

You hide brand you
Sairee Chahal, Co-founder, Fleximoms
Self-promotion is a movie you play out in your head first. You must define your personal story - achievements, aspirations, weaknesses and strengths, and most of all what you value - before vying for other people's attention. Promoting yourself by communicating more actively with colleagues and seniors. Are you interested in a project or part of a significant achievement at work? Share. The process trail in most companies is designed to map your footprint and effort.

You are unrealistic
Priyanka Bhatia, Co-founder, One Tree Spaces
Managing expectations is essential because you're dealing with the biggest variable-human beings. Your expectations from the company may have nothing to do with reality. The best way to manage them is to get into the nittygritty of what the company wants from you - and check your ability to deliver it. Good employers spell this out in Key Result Areas (KRAs). If there are areas where you can't deliver, don't quit. Just skill up. Start by picking up an unresolved challenge in your company. Turn it into a project and send it to the person who would most benefit from it. And whenever you perform well, communicate and let the others know!

You shun responsibility
Shankar AVSB, Investor, 7Avenues Enterprises
Almost every organisation has a pyramid structure. Promotions are difficult because of fewer slots on the upside; a salary raise is relatively easier if you are good at work. If you think you deserve a promotion or raise but aren't getting it, seize the opportunity instead of complaining. Start taking on more responsibility, ease your manager's workload and prove your worth by asking customers to send feedback and endorse your work. If you think of a job as just a source of salary, your motivation level will be inadequate for senior roles.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/work/What-usually-comes-between-you-and-pay-hike/articleshow/19611311.cms

That’s not what I compli-meant!!!

Imagine this scenario: the most powerful man in the world says that you are great at your job and tells you you're terrifically good-looking — how would you respond?

Would you:
A: Tell him he's a sexist pig and give him bacon.
B: Giggle like a school girl and wink back at him.
C: Jump up and down and completely forget your position in society.

Most women would choose B or C, and who can blame them? Barack is the nicest looking President in the world right now, especially when you compare him to India's Barack. Hell, if Barack Obama told me that I was "the best looking attorney general in comedy", I would give him all my money and run around slapping people in the face because I got approved by a Nobel Prize winning President!

Strangely that did not happen when Obama described Kamala Harris as "smart, intelligent and the best looking Attorney-General in the country" . He was called sexist , misogynist, racist, an optimist, a pessimist, a paleontologist, a sociologist and all sorts of '-ists' that didn't even fit the bill.

So was he out of line? For me, a compliment is out of line when it involves you picking out something about a professional woman that makes her uncomfortable or demeans her. Earlier in the year Obama's competitor, Mitt Romney succeeded in doing that (that was his last success of 2013) when he said he had 'binders full of women' brought to him when he was running for Governor. Was that sexist? Yes. Because, a group of women is not a binder — they are a gaggle, a rainbow and a thing your wife doesn't approve of.
And, anyway with regards to sexism no one can touch Indian politicians. When the President's son calls peaceful protestors 'painted and dented women' , that is not only sexist but, also downright insulting to lovely ladies who ensure their make-up looks au naturel. In fact he was the one who dented himself by painting a giant foot in the mouth.

However, women do tend to be over-sensitive to compliments. Here are some realistic scenarios that I as a man have faced when complimenting this lovely person called my wife.

Me: Your shoulders look wonderful in that top.
She: Oh, OK. So my shoulders are so large that they are like a man's shoulders?
Me: This dinner is delicious. Better than yesterday even.
She: So, yesterday's dinner was awful, was it? Did you feed it to your ex-girlfriend , that stupid horse lady!
Me: I like your friends — they are fun.
She: I knew it. You're in love with Pooja. You think she's prettier than me?

Obviously these examples are shameless exaggerations but you get the drift, right? Sometimes women just can't comprehend that the thought being conveyed is indeed a compliment.

However, women are prettier, smarter, more intelligent and more resilient than us. They deserve to be complimented. And, even if a compliment has the potential to be misconstrued - there is no reason not to continue delivering them. Much like the missiles that North Korea will shortly fire - one of them will hit the right target and then we'll all revel in the glory of that compliment's nuclear winter!