Weekend Musings: Learn. Live. Achieve.

I am sure we have all learnt or experienced the process of metamorphosis – the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. I have been particularly fond of this intriguing natural phenomenon. It has helped me realise a lot about life lessons both, personally and professionally. Therefore, this musing will reflect my views on this and, why we, at an organisational level chose the bright and colourful butterfly to resemble our employee engagement program - Vibrant Panasonic. 

Allow me to narrate a story that I often have told my colleagues and friends. The story is about a young girl and a butterfly. While playing in a garden one day, this girl sees a butterfly lay eggs. Overjoyed, she hopes to see these eggs mature into caterpillars and then into butterflies. Finally, when the day comes, the eggs break open and caterpillars start to crawl out. She notices that two eggs crack open just fine and caterpillars crawled out easily. However, the third egg didn’t crack properly and the seemingly sharp edges became a hindrance for the caterpillar to crawl out. Saddened by this she decided to help the third caterpillar. A few days later, the caterpillars start the process of transformation and eventually come out of the cocoon with beautiful wings, transforming into butterflies. She noticed that the two caterpillars who crawled out on their own managed to develop their wings and soar. But the third caterpillar which was aided by her, could not develop proper wings and eventually died. The probable, scientific reason behind this is that every caterpillar has to undergo their share of struggle to break open the egg, undergo the struggle during the entire transformation process which actually helps it to develop and strengthen its wings to be able to take flight in the future.

Moral of the story here is, everyone must undergo their share of challenges and struggles in life to ready themselves for the future. And this has been one of my core philosophies – be it on the professional front, in personal life. Either for mentoring or parenting. I believe that struggles, failures, disappointments are an important part of life as they push us out of our comfort zone and help shape one’s character and capability.

Be it at an organisational level or, at a personal level – I encourage my colleagues and my children to decide their own course, in order to emerge as successful individuals. I truly believe that innovation flourishes when people are provided with the right balance of opportunity, guidance and the liberty to make mistakes. In life, struggles are excellent teachers that not only strengthens you sense of judgement but also helps you learn and grow as an individual. 

As leaders, one must encourage everyone to decide their own path and fight their own battles. Let them fall, only to Learn from their mistakes. Let them Live and step out of their comfort zone to develop their own wings in order to Achieve what they are meant to!