More than often our lives get crowded
by motivations that we draw from the super achievers, the great scientists, the
billionaires, the inventors, the business leaders who have made an amazing
difference to the planet and to the mankind. Mine does too.
by motivations that we draw from the super achievers, the great scientists, the
billionaires, the inventors, the business leaders who have made an amazing
difference to the planet and to the mankind. Mine does too.
But a few days back my wife and I
visited Mallaya Hospital Bangalore, for a general health checkup and while waiting for my
reports that were seemingly taking an infinite time I was just observing the Bangalore
life and traffic go by when i heard an ambulance siren at a distance and this security
guard, approx 40 yrs of age wearing the cleanest and most well ironed uniform, emerged
from somewhere and immediately, with the agility of a soccer player, readied a
wheelchair and a stretcher and an oxygen cylinder.
visited Mallaya Hospital Bangalore, for a general health checkup and while waiting for my
reports that were seemingly taking an infinite time I was just observing the Bangalore
life and traffic go by when i heard an ambulance siren at a distance and this security
guard, approx 40 yrs of age wearing the cleanest and most well ironed uniform, emerged
from somewhere and immediately, with the agility of a soccer player, readied a
wheelchair and a stretcher and an oxygen cylinder.
Within this time an auto driver (tuk
tuk) screeched and brought in a very sick woman and this guard pulled the
wheelchair got this lady into it and shouted at 2 nurses to whisk away this
lady into the hospital’s care.
tuk) screeched and brought in a very sick woman and this guard pulled the
wheelchair got this lady into it and shouted at 2 nurses to whisk away this
lady into the hospital’s care.
The ambulance arrived in the
meanwhile and this man was ready to open the door and get the patient in
emergency out of the ambulance and pushed the stretcher up the ramp to handover
to the nurses who were just emerging from the hospital.
meanwhile and this man was ready to open the door and get the patient in
emergency out of the ambulance and pushed the stretcher up the ramp to handover
to the nurses who were just emerging from the hospital.
All this happened within a 2 min time
frame and over the next 15 minutes that i observed this man tirelessly and
relentlessly made a difference to the life of every single person who crossed
or arrived at the hospital porch spread over no more than 80 sq mts. To a few
passerbys he simply enquired about the health of their near and dear ones. I
just assumed that this must be the guards first day at a new job/assignment.
frame and over the next 15 minutes that i observed this man tirelessly and
relentlessly made a difference to the life of every single person who crossed
or arrived at the hospital porch spread over no more than 80 sq mts. To a few
passerbys he simply enquired about the health of their near and dear ones. I
just assumed that this must be the guards first day at a new job/assignment.
I collected my reports and left for
the day but somewhere the memory of my 20 mins there lingered on and i asked my
chauffeur to go by the hospital next day and stopped my car 50 mts short of the
porch and again saw this man, the security guard, at it with same enthusiasm,
same speed and same smile.
the day but somewhere the memory of my 20 mins there lingered on and i asked my
chauffeur to go by the hospital next day and stopped my car 50 mts short of the
porch and again saw this man, the security guard, at it with same enthusiasm,
same speed and same smile.
Couldnt resist the temptation to ask
this man what his exact job is – and he said he is ideally supposed to just
stand there to ensure a simple law and order at the hospital entrance. I felt a
sense of pride shaking hands with K.M. Nathan and felt his infectious energy and
enthusiasm. He told me that he has been doing this right here at this spot the
same thing for 22 years. And he is 50 now. I have not been so moved by anyones commitment
ever in my life. Since 22 years Nathan was performing at 200% of his efficiency, every single day, as
if that was the first day of his job.
this man what his exact job is – and he said he is ideally supposed to just
stand there to ensure a simple law and order at the hospital entrance. I felt a
sense of pride shaking hands with K.M. Nathan and felt his infectious energy and
enthusiasm. He told me that he has been doing this right here at this spot the
same thing for 22 years. And he is 50 now. I have not been so moved by anyones commitment
ever in my life. Since 22 years Nathan was performing at 200% of his efficiency, every single day, as
if that was the first day of his job.
In an era where billions of dollars
are being spent to do research on how to break mission fatigue (repetitive job
syndrome) and on office ergonomics where legal rights of employees make them
sue their employers just if the shape of the chair isn’t correct, Nathan is a
definite outlier and a fine example of what commitment means.
are being spent to do research on how to break mission fatigue (repetitive job
syndrome) and on office ergonomics where legal rights of employees make them
sue their employers just if the shape of the chair isn’t correct, Nathan is a
definite outlier and a fine example of what commitment means.
Commitment is really the most
important dynamic of strategy and success. A committed team that collectively
moves towards common organisational goals can make any company or a project
successful. It cannot be taught in business schools, it cannot be developed externally.
important dynamic of strategy and success. A committed team that collectively
moves towards common organisational goals can make any company or a project
successful. It cannot be taught in business schools, it cannot be developed externally.
The trick is to find Nathans in your midst
and nurture them. Nathan is made of an element that doesn’t exist in the
corporate world anymore. More than often our myopic corporate visions fail to
recognise the Nathans around us. Mallaya hospital did and maybe Nathan is their
best brand ambassador.
and nurture them. Nathan is made of an element that doesn’t exist in the
corporate world anymore. More than often our myopic corporate visions fail to
recognise the Nathans around us. Mallaya hospital did and maybe Nathan is their
best brand ambassador.
You are my hero Nathan and you have
taught me a new connotation of commitment.
Very nice observation Manu. We can make difference if we want to. You made Hero out if him. Lot many would have observed him but u observed what others like me would have neglected
It doesn't matter whether you get there or not, sometimes the journey itself is very exciting, en lighting and enriching. the people who don't get bogged down by the end result buy enjoy the process invariably are the ones who inspire us.
Beautiful, insightful and a reflection of your keen observation of life. Keep it up Manu.
Nice one Manu. Longfellow's poem comes to mind. It is upto us who we would look upto, sometimes it is the everyday heroes who inspire us and if we look around there are so many.
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time ;
Creating learning out of detailed observation. Great one Manu.
Very nice observation Manu. We can make difference if we want to. You made Hero out if him. Lot many would have observed him but u observed what others like me would have neglected
Thanks for posting this fantastic post. I'm a long
time reader however I've never actually left a comment.
I've bookmarked your website and shared this on Twitter.
Thanks again for a really good post!