TO WALK FAST OR TO WALK FAR?
















I came across this quote from Mr. Ratan Tata:

“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But, if you want to walk far, walk together.”


No wonder, the Tata empire has endured this long!


And, what applies to an organization also applies to an individual. The principles of growth and success remain the same.


So, before the journey begins, every organization and every individual has to decide: whether to walk fast or walk far…


The urge to walk fast stems from our innate competitive mindset. It is inherently founded on insecurity and distrust. It is a shortsighted – Win-at-any-cost – approach. Yes, this approach has the potential of taking us ahead of others, and fast. But, as it is founded on fear and distrust, it would be lonely out there, when we reach there… and, it will, always, rob us of our true feeling of success and fulfillment.


The rat race is for those who want to reach fast. Many of these organizations and individuals have extremely short life as far as their reputation and success is concerned. They come by the day, make loads of money, and, then, fill their bags and sneak away by the night. Yes, they are only interested in how much they can take away in their bags. That’s what, perhaps, Mr. Ratan Tata  must’ve meant when he said:


“If you want to walk fast, walk alone.”


On the other hand, the desire to walk far stems from our broad vision. It is inherently founded on our deep security, trust and compassion. It seeks the larger good and it is guided by a win-win approach. Yes, this approach may not enable us to reach fast, but it does take us far… blessed with the goodwill and warmth of many, many around us and enable us to relish the fruits of our success. 



What good our success serves 

unless it gladdens our hearts 

with a true sense of fulfillment?


Vision and Values provide far-sight. Our enduring strength and the capacity to serve comes from our vision and values…


The House of Tatas is the monumental example… The legacy has endured long and far, not necessarily fast… and, it will endure even longer…


Oh yes, it will be a walk together!


GERALD D’CUNHA


Pic.: Amrita Jeurkar
























Comments

Kishore Narang said…
Inspiring words!!! Thanks for the post. Kishore
April 3, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Anil Raj said…
Brilliant piece of motivation sir. keep writing.
Anil
April 3, 2013 at 7:29 PM
Anonymous said…
Tata means trust... Very inspiring. Munaf
April 4, 2013 at 3:24 PM
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