The Power of WHY

Ever asked a question to yourself "Why I did this?" ever been into a situation that made you think Why you did something? Well the problem is we dont ask this question "Why?" atleast not very often to one self or others.. Last week we had 2 of our potential Trainees give a presentation of their understanding of our product.. something that they have learnt with us for the last 2 weeks, we have made this as a practice for the last few months where the interns are given a chance to work closely with us for 2-3 weeks after which they present themselves on what they have learnt over these days before we decide if they fit with us or not...

While the presentation was on, both the trainees gave a overview of the product, what are certain features and how they work etc.. during the presentation some of our Team mates asked a few questions to them, I am certain some these questions gave the brains a kick start... well they could not answer a few but in the end it was good... One important thing I learnt of this presentation is that if you dont know the WHY behind something you will always be standing blank in front of others..

Why this product?

Why this way?

Why this technology?

Why this framework?

Why am I here?

Why Why Why... a certain why's can help each one of us understand product development, management, product and our lives easier.. If you know the answer to a certain set of Why's you surely then can find a way to How and what.. I believe Why should be a core value, should be a part of the culture... and not just asking why, but mentioning why we are doing something should be a integral part of the work too... If you can tell your development team on why you are building something, I am sure they will be able to contribute in a better and effective way... it doesnt need to be documented, it needs to be explained, discussed, brainsotmed and debated...

Those certain why's can help you change the way you see yourself in the team, help you change the way others see at you and your team, help you do better for your team, product, company and self... Just that 1 why at the right time....

So my dear friend, next time you do something or want your team to do something.... just begin with a WHY...

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Values, Principles and We

1 Day 2 posts and that too when you are in a timeline is not a common thing for me ... but yet I am here cause the previous one was in my heart and this one in my mind.... I wont be able to sleep today if I dont blog this...
Watching China Gate last night and specially the performance of Late Mr. Amrish Puri in the movie is a lesson that you can't talk alone about your Values and Principles if you dont follow it..

In one of my earlier posts on Values and GoodWill I mentioned that values last long only, Principles needs to be practised and ofcourse one need to know what his Values and Principles are.... not lately and just related to the same matter I described in my previous post I feel that so many of us dont know what Values we have as a Team or to that matter own's value....

I know people talking about several things while following nothing... be it work or personal life, be it hobbies or likings... Sometimes NO Values or NO principles is the reason the other times its awareness... Many a times people practise and preserve and preach their values without knowing it... Unfortunately they cant preserve these for long as human being is likely to move out of repetative things sooner or later...

It was a pity feeling when I realised that so many of us dont know what are our own values.. or to that matter what are Values... similarly not many have principles that they claim to follow... Be it professionally, Logically or emotionally. It is the same feeling that drive me to think that working with a Team it needs to be explained to every single part of the team about the values we carry and the principles we practice... The fact that this will really help them build up to be great leaders provokes me to follow up on my last discussion wit Kari on following one principle for the whole week or by putting up the Connery Board every day or week on the walls of the office Listing every single value the Team should/Do practise and letting everyone know how it is been practised...

While I am cooling down and waiting for the new week to begin and kickoff... I am forced to think about the first thing I value and to that matter is the Agile Manifesto ...

Interactions over processes and tools

Regards
Sameer Shaikh

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Values and Goodwill

"30-40% of the Reason why I joined the Company was because of Vipin" said Savio..
"And why is that?" : Me
"He told me about about the people and organisation and the values of the people working here... and it wasnt difficult to make a decission, specially when you know that a Security Guard who is on Contracted work is so happy the Employess must really be Happy too... and the organisation really has something in it.. " says Savio...

I am sure when the values are clear and the principles been set, the Goodwill and Success is just the next automated step... I am Glad that I am getting to work with a Team who has a great Value and leaderistic principles...

Regards
Sameer Shaikh

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