The Lateral's guide to the ThoughtWorks Way

Since the time I started blogging I wanted to do a piece on my ThoughtWorks journey but had to put those thoughts to rest once I read Pat Kua's piece. (It's a tough act to follow). So I thought I'll try to put something with a slightly different twist.

I came to ThoughtWorks (TW) after spending 5 years with the likes of the Satyam's and Wipro's and with the strong belief that all IT companies are the same and there is absolutely no hope to find a satisfactory work environment.
I have been with TW for almost 3 years and it took the best part of that time to get acquainted and finally inducted into the culture and I am LOVING IT. 

The thoughts shared below are from my perspective and though these could apply to laterals or freshers my experiences may resound more with the former. 

1. Be ready to be challenged - If you come from one of the typical IT companies you might be used to sharing your thoughts with developers or testers and getting an acceptance with minimal or no questions asked. That's not what you'll get here and be prepared to be challenged about your suggestions and decisions whether you are an MD, Delivery Manager, Customer or any other role. 
2. Be ready to stand up for what you think is right - If you believe that you have the right opinion then don't be afraid to share it (even if it opposes your tech lead/manger) but be ready to back it up with some relevant points because I would hate to take you back to point no. 1.
3. Be ready to share your thoughts, expertise and experience - We believe that knowledge grows through effective sharing so be prepared to be urged and nudged to share your experiences on a project or in life within or outside the company. 
4. Be ready to be heard - The thing I love most about ThoughtWorks is the freedom I have to express my thoughts and opinions without fear of rebuke or reprimand. The only caveat to this would be to ensure that these thoughts/opinions don't offend any community or individual.
5. Get involved or get out - This may sound harsh but there comes a time when you will need to shed your baggage and take a really deep dive into the culture. If you don't, then eventually you'll get fed up and leave.
6. Be ready to own and drive - If you are passionate about something and are willing to back it up with hard work and commitment then you will get all the possible support from TWers including the management. There are many examples of this within TW, the STEP program definitely comes to mind.
7. Be ready to innovate - There is always a different and in many cases better way of carrying out tasks and you need to keep yourself abreast with the latest and continously think about questioning the status quo.
8. Be ready to Introspect and accept - Following the principles of continuous improvement at TW we try to look back at our performances and think about the things that went well and those that didn't so that we can identify the areas to work on and improve ourselves.
9. Be patient - You've probably spent many years learning the wrong way and it will take some time before you truly adapt to the 'ThoughtWorks Way', so be patient.
10. Be ready to think beyond the pay check - This is probably the hardest one to get around and many TWers find this a hard pill to swallow. However, the logic is simple, we want people who are really passionate about what they do or want to achieve and money is not the only thing that gets their motor running. In the end we all work for money but if that's the ONLY thing that motivates you then this may not be the place you'll hang around for too long. 
    
    
    
11. Be ready to start at the bottom - It would be really hard for a lateral hire to take a senior or management role and expect to get immersed in the TW way without getting an opportunity to work closely with one (or multiple) of the project teams and experience the madness first hand. Don't let go of this experience since its probably the only way to quicken the learning curve.
12. Fortune 500's are overrated - We work with the more known brands in the world, but are always more than willing to solve the real life problems for the lesser fortunate. The learnings (via innovative thinking) and experience that you would derive from building a solution that helps children from war ravaged territories reunite with their guardians is immense.
13. Be ready to put on weight - In between all the team outings, ice cream meter redemptions and an over stuffed pantry its literally impossible to avoid putting on a few (too many) pounds.
    The team outings (apart from the food and fun) are the best way to build lasting bonds with your team, so don't miss out. This also seems like the appropriate time for me to market my blog about weight management. :-P
14. We are not laid back - A couple of people looking to join TW have told me that they believe TW is a "laid back" company. Yes, we don't take life as seriously as a lot of people do and that's just because we're a happier bunch but by no means are we laid back. And if that's the impressions that you are going to carry then you are in for a big surprise.
15. We all did the best with the knowledge, expertise and time - We speak our minds and share our thoughts but we always keep the following principle in mind.
    

    "Regardless of what we discover, we understand and truly believe that everyone did the best job they could, given what they knew at the time, their skills and abilities, the resources available, and the situation at hand."

Ban IPL, it Sponsors Terrorism

This is not just an eye catching headline, I put it up there since I honestly believe it to be true.
Most of us have been angered, disgusted, felt cheated (and I can go on on the emotions) etc with the news of the latest betting racket. However, unless you (and me) stop watching the IPL (Indian Punters league) there is no scope for a positive impact on Indian cricket and possibly other sports in India.

Courtesy: www.liveindia.com

It may be a radical view but in my opinion people involved in betting and IPL are sponsoring terrorism and need to be dealt with in the strongest terms. After all where do you think Dawood and his gang (the main beneficiaries of betting) are investing their money? They finance the ISI and terrorist groups for assistance and protection.... (Obviously you've forgotten their role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.)


Just remember the next time you watch an IPL match (or the India team play a cricket match) you are probably financing a plot to take out someone dear to you.... Unless obviously the world turns around and we are able to ensure transparency in Indian cricket. Don't dismiss this as a rant from a cricket hater, I'm a religious follower.... if you still don't believe me just ask my wife.

The Roy effect

I have been with ThoughtWorks for a little over 2 years and in the many conversations and introspections surrounding the "secret ingredient" of ThoughtWorks, we have concluded that it has been the people who work at ThoughtWorks that have been the driving force. This obviously is true (why would I disagree with this appreciation which also includes me) and the pain and sacrifices that we make in hiring the "right" folks and the efforts we put in to give our best to our customers has played a very important role in making ThoughtWorks what it is. However, there is another element in the mix that deserves a lot of credit for making ThoughtWorks a truly unique organization, an organization that we all are proud to be part of, and that is our founder and chairman Roy Singham. 

Roy Singham

It is again obvious that he in his role as founder and chairman has been instrumental in shaping this organization but I truly appreciated his contributions when I reflected back on what he shared during his recent visit to the Gurgaon office. Mind you, I am not a person who gets swayed very easily and the thoughts that follow have accumulated over the last couple of years hearing and observing Roy.

Roy's ability to articulate his thoughts and beliefs and his passion and energy are enough to stir the human inside you. It's quite difficult to walk out from one of his sessions and not question your own thoughts and beliefs (some of which you may have nurtured for many years).
Roy has always been very passionate and vocal about our contributions to the underprivileged across the globe and has been actively involved in helping out on issues ranging from women and children health in the African subcontinent to the systematic oppression from the power hungry politicians and capitalists across the globe. 

Most of us within ThoughtWorks have heard him on these issues, the interesting part for me is that I have recently realized the vision that he brings to the business and operations of ThoughtWorks. To share a few examples, during his talk where he also shared the roadmap for the coming year he talked about the following:

• Diversify - Diversifying the business (geographically) is by no means a radical thought but one that has been around for a long time and practiced by many organizations. However, in the context of ThoughtWorks and how we hire and engage with our customers (a separate subject on its own) it takes courage to diversify into new territories especially if the new locations are in underdeveloped/developing nations of Africa, Asia and South America.
• Write-offs are not bad - Majority of businesses would target zero write-offs, its natural to expect payment for your services and avoid any form of losses like the plague. As an organization we strive to deliver our best and fulfill our commitments to our customers but we also want to make sure that every once in a while we make a bet on a customer who has an ambitious idea and help it take shape. Its a bet that we need to take and till the time we are able to control our losses we would have gained a lesson that success can never impart.
• Tackle incompetence not the ability to generate numbers - Businesses are run and measured on the Monthly/quarterly/annual revenues and profits they are able to generate. We at ThoughtWorks also care about how we are performing and whether we are running a healthy and sustainable business, but do we only need numbers to measure that? If we hire the right people and are able to motivate and engage them then numbers tend to loose their significance.

Roy Singham

The examples that I shared above are just a few of many that underline Roy's role in making ThoughtWorks what it is. Also, I do realize that most of these points are debatable and we can't be sure of their long-term effectiveness, but what I do realize is that I feel privileged to have been a part of this journey, whatever the end result.

Now, considering that ThoughtWorks aims to be a 100 year organization the one part that does bother me a bit and was the original motivation about writing this piece, is the future. Do we have someone who can uphold the same principles and bring a similar vision, passion, energy and clarity of thought?

Who's line is it anyway?

There are many things wrong about the policing system in India but the one that baffles and frustrates me the most is the constant squabbling over (police station) jurisdiction. This problem may seem overstated or incomprehensible for people who have been fortunate enough to NOT need police assistance in our country. However, this is the single most irritating aspect of policing in India since it occurs at the initial touch point when one calls the police helpline for assistance. 

The police are not so much concerned about the incident, its seriousness or the type of assistance required than by the jurisdiction where this incident has occurred. The worst part is that if you tell them the location they still won't be able to single out the police station and will not hesitate in asking your opinion about which police station the incident comes under.

My frustrations come from the belief that had been ingrained in my conscious mind (via movies, tv shows, tax receipts paid to the govt. etc) that whenever a police helpline is contacted and the location and incident spelled out, the closest available police van/s will be dispatched to help out or investigate.
No one ever told me that there could be a significant delay in helping me because the incident that I witnessed or was affected by happened be in a area which fell in an apparent no man's land.


This was also one of the many shortcomings that were highlighted in the Delhi police's response to the victims of the recent gang rape case in Delhi as well as the case of a TOI reporter who was harassed by an auto rickshaw driver who refused to take the reporter to her destination during the evening hours.
I know that there are many problems that are bigger and probably need more attention, but in my view this should be a quick and easy one to implement and something that could enhance the customer experience at the first touch point.

Also, I am convinced that there are simple and cost effective technology based solutions using smart phones and/or tablets that can be used to increase accountability and effectiveness of the police force in atleast the major cities. Any ideas/thoughts?

Why so seriousssss-ly overweight???

I write this piece as a very gnawing feeling consumes my mental peace. The realization is that I need to shed atleast 10 kgs of pure and unadulterated flab.
This flab is a result of a combination of reasons like a crappy metabolism which is further deccelerated by age, the sedentary lifestyle of the working class and my inability to resist a tall drink and an inviting buffet.

I believe quite a few us ride in a similar bloat and are sufficiently bothered about it. However, the troubling bit is that there is a big group of people thats not even bothered about the extra pouches of flab hanging from various angles. 

I guess we need to tackle these 2 categories separately and that is what I will try to do in the following sections. But before I begin I guess I need to clear the air on why I am writing this. The reason is that (believe it or not) I am really concerned about the collective health of the working class of the nation and also because I believe that a healthy body is absolutely essential for a healthy mind. 

For the motivated souls

The people who are really bothered the problem is that not enough of us take the necessary steps needed to rectify this and get back in shape (round is a shape but not the one we are aiming for) and the reason cited is the lack of time due to work pressures or in some cases the lack of motivation. The first problem of lack of time due to elongated work hours is a complicated one because in my view it includes an element of lack of motivation which is under our control but also because some people are busy due to the roles that they have been entrusted.

Some solutions

No. 1: Pick 45 mins in a day

The key to following this rule/guideline is ensuring discipline, you may waver for a day or two but you need to ensure that you take out 45 mins in a day whether its early in the morning or late in the evening. Trust me its not much to ask for and you can easily achieve it by sacrificing that extra hour of mindless TV at night.

No. 2: Pick a sport  

Enrolling in a gym is good but doing drab and repetitive exercises in a gym can easily demotivate an individual. A good way to keep ones self motivated is to pick a sport (tennis, soccer, squash, basketball are some options) and to play that on a regular basis. Its not easy in a country like ours where cricket has ruined our minds ad our fitness but if you are able to get a group of motivated souls together then this can be your key to fitness. 

No. 3: Have a small home gym 

All you need to get this set up is a skipping rope, a couple of dumbbells, a floor mat, instructional videos (for aerobics, yoga etc) freely available on the net and if possible a exercise cycle. I suggest this coz a lot of times we hesitate to take membership of a gym because we are not sure if we will be able to use it regularly. Having a small home gym will atleast ensure that whenever you do have the time and motivation you can use this small investment and attack those flabs. 

No. 4: Motivate others around you 

This may sound ridiculous but in my view this is probably the most important since if you don't get the other buggers out of office you probably are never going to be able to get out yourself. The only thing that I can say with 100% surety is that the benefits of those 45-60 mins of exercise are definitely going to increase your productivity and offset any loss of time from people leaving for home on-time. (What do you think I am trying to do)

No. 5: Remove the guilt

Most of us tend to think that spending time on improving their individual fitness is a selfish act. On the contrary, the benefits of a fit body and mind don't only benefit the individual but everyone around them and especially the organizations they work for. Unfortunately most organizations dont outwardly support individuals efforts to get fit, probably because they are run by individuals who fall in the category mentioned below.

For the demotivated souls

The 7 benefits of regular exercise

This is the tricky bunch of people to handle and to be honest I don't really have a lot to offer to them in the form of advice. Although, what I can offer is a snapshot of benefits copied from here. If you still aren't convinced then probably you should take another look at benefit number 6. -->

Happy exercising..

How to make a Terrorist - 101

How to make a Terrorist - 101. 

This is a course being taught at the Indian Parliament and its many subsidiaries (nearly all the Vidhan Sabhas) since our so called Independence. Most of us city dwellers generally read about this stuff as conspiracy theories and dismiss them since it doesn't directly affect our deadline driven lives. 

I was among the many who find it hard to fathom why someone would take to arms. All this changed in a hurry when I got a 'crash' course in "How to make a Terrorist - 101".

I was on my way back from a nice little vacation at a little known hillstation called Chakrata. Having done some very basic research we found another route back home to Delhi which promised to be shorter by 50 km.
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Route: The route is on State highway 57 and starts from a small town called Herbertpur.

Herbertpur - Behat - Saharanpur - Tajpur - Baraut - Bagpat
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The first 50 km on the road were like a dream and I almost patted myself on the back for my excellent Googling skills but before I could handout the prizes I hit the first pothole and then the next and the next and so on. It seemed the American army had unleashed a barrage of Napalms on the entire stretch of 240 odd kilometers and infact the road had craters rather than potholes. On hindsight I should have turned back but something inside me kept telling me that the craters would magically vanish and be replaced by something we humans call a road. The stupid voice got me to the point of no return and soon there was no turning back. 

I covered the entire distance at an average speed of 10-20 km per hour and my darlings (car ....and wife) screamed and grunted at each hurdle. It was so mentally and physically draining that halfway down the road I lost patience and had to ask my wife to take over the wheel. So what's the big deal in that, well given my confidence in her driving abilities and the love for my car this was a BIG DEAL. I could go on without pause to try and explain how bad the road was but I am going to end this bit by stating that it would have been better if there were no road at all.

But this blog is not about me or my insignificant existence, its about the people living in the many villages and towns that we crossed on the way (and there are many on this route in the heartland of UP, the most populous region in the country). Its about the torture that they have been subjected to by the administration of the state and the entire country. The few hours on that road made me want to gun down everyone even remotely responsible for its current state and I can only imagine what someone who has to endure this day in and day out would be willing to do. A simple thing like a drive to work or school or to the farmers market could rearrange your skeletal structure. What if someone you knew or loved fell ill and needed urgent medical attention and wasn't able to get help in time due to the state of the road. Wouldn't that enrage you to no end? 

The interesting thing to notice is that there is a very sizeable population of the Muslim community that reside on this stretch and suffer as a consequence. It would be so easy to convince a youth living in this area that this country discriminates against Muslims. If you factor in the number of youth that would reside in this 240 km stretch its enough to create a small army of jehadis and if you factor in the sorry state of roads in the other remote areas of the country and remove the community aspect (lack of basic infrastructure pisses off everyone equally) then we probably have the equivalent of the Pakistani army residing right here.

Will this ever change? What can I do to change this other than vote and pay my taxes honestly?

I don't have the answer to these but do know that this course and its advanced levels will continue to be taught at the democratic institutions of our country, while we struggle to get a hold of our deadlines....

The 10 Traits of a Bad Manager

The "Bad Manager" strikes again!!!

Its like the flu, we all have experienced it and no matter how hard you try you can never be totally immune.

The Bad Manager award is given away to individuals in managerial/leadership positions displaying the traits discussed below and not to any particular designation. So you can be a project manager, product manager, general manager, division manager, delivery manager etc. and well, sir/madam you are a disease if you:

1. Avoid transparency - Some managers avoid transparency like the plague, they will hold back information or even mis-inform as an attempt to hide their incompetence.

2. Make false promises - Not much to be said here, I guess we all have been sold an assignment by such managers which turns out to be quite different once you get on the ground or interact with the customer and by then its too late.

3. Think MBA'S are ppt factories - This unfortunately is a trait I have noticed and experienced even in managers who are generally good. In my view a presentation has a two fold purpose, it is used to highlight the key points of the idea being conveyed and to also serve as a electronic cue card for the presenter. To ensure the flow and delivery of the presentation is consistent and engaging the person who is actually supposed to deliver the message should actually create it. The most compelling or convincing presentations that I have delivered have been the ones that I have created on my own. The reason being that I owned the content and the flow of the presentation and was able to visualize what can be said to support the text.

4. Make and push suggestions without understanding the problem - Well making suggestions is fine but pushing them is definitely not, especially when you don't understand or have not experienced the problems being faced by the team or the individual.

5. Are too conservative while appreciating a job well done - In my view managers tend to display this trait since they think that if I appreciate his/her efforts that will mean that I directly or indirectly raise their salary expectations as well. Money is not the only thing that people work for, some of us actually believe or atleast take pride in whatever we do and a unhindered appreciation goes a long way in motivating an individual even if in your view the person had just "met expectations".

6. Push all the hard decisions and conversations to subordinates - Don't get me wrong here I do believe that the team should be involved in any hard decisions that need to me made. What makes me uncomfortable is that most of these hard discussions are due to the faulty decisions that were taken by managers even before the team was formed and in the end the team is usually left to defend these decisions on their own.

7. Have an unpleasant or unstable personality - A manager is looked upon in a lot of situations as a leader who will guide you and motivate you through his/her actions. Someone who you can approach with your problems and not return from that meeting with 10 other problems. Therefore its very important that a manager has a personality that exuberates pleasant and (mentally) stable vibes.

8. Lack clarity of thought - The "brain wave" from lousy managers tends to be devoid in clarity and detail. A presentation needs to be made and you are shoved a vague and usually bad idea which even after multiple efforts from your end never seems to match his/her "genius".

9. Expect more than you yourself are willing or capable of doing - As a manager/leader you need to lead by example if you want to stand any chance of earning your subordinates respect. Anything lesser is unacceptable.

10. Ignore inputs from the team on the ground - As a manager/leader your people are your asset with their ears closely to the ground and if they are feeding you information based on their day to day interactions and observations, then its your responsibility as a leader to understand the concerns and communicate more closely with the team to reach a solution. More often than not bad leaders will ignore these suggestions and form their opinions on their pre-conceived notions.

These have been some of my observations over the last few years working with some good and mostly terrible managers. Also, this takes into consideration that managers most often than not are faced with tough decisions and as all humans are bound to falter. I guess the challenge for a manager lies in being able to identify and avoid these symptoms, and personally speaking the even bigger challenge lies in being able to avoid these symptoms whenever I am cursed to be a Manager.