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205: Shark in the Tank

There are many management theories which we use in our day to day life. Some knowingly and some unknowingly.

 

I was lucky to have number of command appointments in my service career.

 

I always shared my experiences with the young budding commanders.

 

One of the advice used to be – “As a commander you have to put the shark in the tank at the right time”.

 

The Story

 

The Japanese love eating fresh fish. But the fish got depleted, in the waters close to sea shore, due to over fishing. So the Japanese fishing boats got bigger and went farther from the shores.  The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish would lose their freshness.

 

To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the frozen fish did not taste the same as fresh fish and the frozen fish brought a lower price.

 

So fishing companies installed fish tanks. This solved the problem to a certain extent. However, to make adequate profit, the fish tanks started getting overstuffed, with little room for the fish to thrash around. The fish stopped moving and started losing their freshness once again.

 

To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they added a small shark to each tank. The shark would eat a few fish, but most of the remaining fish would remain active and fresh.

 

Lesson & Recommendation

 

“Man thrives, oddly enough, only in the presence of a challenging environment.”

– L. Ron Hubbard

 

So in the unit, establishment or group an optimum level of activity and excitement has to be maintained to keep the group and the people productive, active, healthy and happy.

 

Too much of work for too long would burn them off with fatigue and too little work would cause reduction in output due to boredom and inactivity.

 

As a commander and leader one has to maintain that optimum level of activity and know when to put the shark in the tank and for how long.

 

Addendum

Some times as a commander one needs to become the shark himself.

 

Coming up

Tyre pressure theory

 

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204: MULTILATERALISM

Pic Courtesy (internet) Chintan India foundation 

 

Understanding Multilateralism: Definition and Contours

 

In international relations, multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries (group of three or more) pursuing a common goal. Multilateralism is often defined in opposition to bilateralism and unilateralism. Nevertheless, this “quantitative” definition is not sufficient to capture the nature of multilateralism.

 

Multilateralism involves adherence to a common political scheme based on the respect of a shared system of norms and values. Its operation is determined by collectively developed rules that ensure sustainable and effective cooperation.

 

Multilateralism is therefore both a method of cooperation and a form of organization of the international system.

 

At the very core of multilateralism lies an interdependency that is key to the equilibrium needed to maintain peaceful global existence.

 

In particular, multilateralism is based on founding principles such as consultation, inclusion and solidarity. It guarantees all actors the same rights and obligations. Multilateralism gives small powers a voice and influence that they could not otherwise exercise.

 

Multilateralism is also a dynamic historical process, which cannot be dissociated from the context in which it takes shape.

 

Multilateralism may be at a global level involving several nations acting together, as in the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization, or may be at regional level involving regional or military alliances, pacts, or groupings, such as NATO.

 

Continue reading “204: MULTILATERALISM”

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203: SHIQURDU: 20

 

 

116

जो जाहिर हो जाए वह दर्द कैसा

और

जो दर्द को महसूस ना कर सके

वह हमदर्द कैसा..

 

117

चले तो थे दोस्तों का पूरा काफिला लेकर…

पर कुछ “जुदा” हो गए

कुछ “खुदा” हो गए…

कुछ “गुमशुदा” हो गए,

और

 

कुछ “शादीशुदा” हो गए,

 

118

किस्मत की किताब

खूब लिखी थी मेरी खुदा ने

बस वही पन्ना गुम था

जिसमे सकूं का जिक्र था.

 

119

कील के  हौसले की तरह टिके  रहो .

तस्वीरों का क्या.

वो तो वक्त के साथ बदलती हैं

 

120

जुबानी इबादत ही काफ़ी नहीं

ख़ुदा सुनता  है ख़यालात भी

 

  • Shiqurdu is a collection of thoughts. Although an odd sounding name, but felt appropriate for the collection.

 

  • These are simplified quotes in Hurdu (Hurdu being a mix of Hindi and Urdu akin to Hinglish i.e., hindi and english). Although in some cases the language has been simplified but attempt has been made to retain the thought and the poetic flavor.

 

  • These thoughts have been picked up from various publications. Credit goes to all the original writers who penned down these deep meaning messages.

 

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