The Hindu Business Line : All in the game

We have just lost another cricket Test in Australia. Since cricket occupies such a large space in the national consciousness in India, maybe we should consider some implications for life itself from this experience. Commentators, in their inevitable disappointment, have rued the poor umpiring as India appeared to receive a disproportionate share of dubious decisions. This may well have prevented our wresting an honourable draw. And, yet, as we know only too well, this sort of thing happens every day in our lives in other areas as well, particularly in organisations.

People get promoted or rewarded seemingly out of all proportion to their contribution and a good few go unrecognised. Equally, companies that conduct themselves most ethically and responsibly and consistently toward the customer and society at large are not always the ones that receive the highest market capitalisation or awards.

A combination of badly administered government policy, poor judgements and even prejudice, not to mention some dubious practices, together dictate the so-called market success of some businesses.

We must move on

So, what does one do, if one is in the wrong side of the competitive situation? Of course, one can protest loudly, and denounce others’ unsavoury actions in the media; or take some one to court, if the issue warrants it. Ironically, the just-concluded match has even resulted in some of that — in the form of a judicial enquiry which, given the theme, will only raise emotions further. Yet, the lesson for leadership and business management came from Anil Kumble, our distinguished captain, in a post-match interview. We have to take the best from the current experience, and draw some positives out of the team’s performance despite the result. We should regroup ourselves and see where we can guard against avoidable errors. We have to move on.

As Sunil Gavaskar added, every one has such reverses. Most importantly, one has to admit that despite all the knowledge and expertise, not everything in the game (one can substitute career or life) is under our control. The opposition, the weather, the pitch or the occasional unexpected turn of events can frustrate the best batsmen. This is indeed a great lesson that cricket teaches us — and we can all do well to pause, listen and absorb it.

Benign balancing force

Even talent, opportunity and effort together do not result in the happiest outcome every time. Sadly, one cannot even be sure that there is some benign balancing force that evens out the highs and the lows in every case. The truth of the matter, unpalatable as it may be, especially when one is young and ambitious, is that there is some balance but not perfect equity.

To change the metaphor to another game, someone else will be dealt a better hand and there is no point in going into a depression over it. Living as we do in a period of visible signs of growth and prosperity, it is often tempting to expect that the good times will always last. And that the good fortune as we interpret it will be shared around by a benevolent Providence in a way that we approve of.

Games like cricket ought to teach us differently. Increased competition magnifies the scope for disappointment. We must take a leaf from all the master batsmen, and when we think we have failed due to ill-luck or bad decisions, we just have to pick ourselves up and carry on. We have a decent chance only if we learn to wipe the past clean as we take our stance for the next delivery.

S. RAMACHANDER

sr.chander@gmail.com

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