JULIUS Caesar had reason to beware, ‘the ides of March’. But the sporting world has seen some glorious events unfold in this month. It has witnessed some compelling insights unravel themselves, which have relevance far beyond the confines of the sporting pitch.
Some of these might even serve to trigger discussions in the white collar world. Because eventually sport is nothing but a physically constructed canvas, that allows for reflection and inspiration, which can be carried forward to other domains of human endeavor. And March has like the onset of spring, brightened things up considerably on that front. Here are a few thought starters, which sport managed to seed in our collective consciousness this month
Jinxes that were broken
Both Sachin Tendulkar and Fernando Torres will remember this month for long; Sachin for getting to his hundredth international hundred, and Torres for scoring an elusive goal, after what seemed like an eternity. Frequently sport provides a very visible example, of how athletes hit a barrier which begins to prey on their minds. Faith in one’s own belief becomes paramount at such delicate moments, as does the strong support of people around.
Interestingly employees in the corporate world are no different, when it comes to these ‘jinxes on the job’. From not being able to rise above a certain position, to being unsuccessful at turning an oppressive challenge around, their battles are as difficult, though seeming to make the papers far less often. And it is the very same above two factors, that drive sportsmen through their dark periods, which also stand white collar workers in good stead. As long as they believe, there is light at the end of the tunnel, things can always be turned around.
Lopsided perspectives which surfaced again
Whenever cricket returns to the subcontinent, it always seems to ring in tragic consequences-that’s if you are a bowler. For some time now, cricket (especially at home) is becoming a terribly one dimensional affair. The batsmen are stars, the bowlers could well be from Mars. This increasingly dangerous trend is surely to the detriment of the long term health of the sport. Someday bowlers might need to be artificially cloned, because no child would want to be one. But presently no one seems to care. Bring on the IPL.
Even in the business world; companies soon find out that focusing too much on one domain, to the detriment of others is not such a bright idea. Scores of innovation driven companies have fallen, because there was no importance placed on customer service. The balanced approach is always preferable, be it in the boardroom, or on the playground.
Passions that were rekindled
Interest in hockey, has resurfaced a bit after India’s qualification for the Olympics, and the advent of World Series Hockey tournament. The past month has been like a breath of fresh air, for the hockey aficionado. And that does indicate that for anything to be resurrected; there needs to be a concerted effort, sometimes coupled with the somewhat fortuitous event taking place.
In the business world, brands that have ridden the tidal wave of cultural shifts would better appreciate this. For long the Fedora Hat lingered on shelves, doing average business. But the Indiana Jones series, starring Harrison Ford, ensured that the Fedora, not only entered consumer minds, but found a way onto many heads as well. Riding the trend, and sometimes consciously nudging it along, is what all brands and indeed all sports must do, in order to ensure long term success.
Bidding adieu to the unsung hero
The quiet and dignified exit of Rahul Dravid was typical of the man. What is sad is that his humongous contribution; will never be fully appreciated by the general public. A generation which has been weaned on ‘slam bang’ cricket; will struggle to comprehend the artistry and skill involved in leaving the ball alone. Few will savor his grit in sticking with a difficult situation. Dravid was always a classical maestro, when the world was only interested in heavy metal performers.
Dravid’s case does illuminate a parallel reality in the corporate world. Frequently it is the employees who can ‘play the crowd’, who walk away with all the accolades and promotions.
In almost every organization, there might be a ‘Dravid like employee’- sterling in his performance, magnificent in his resolve, unwavering in his commitment to the team. It is time the corporate world takes heed of these performers, and begins to value their services more highly. Especially considering that unlike in national team cricket, these people have the option of switching sides.
March ushers in April, where the action is set to heat up even more in the world- sporting and otherwise. And hopeful April will have equally interesting insights from the playground to savor.
The writer is a creative thinking trainer and an independent brand consultant. He is the author of the book, ‘The Madness Starts at 9’ and also the patron saint of a footballing movement called Juhu Beach United, that celebrates, ‘the unfit, out of breath working professional of today’.
