Is Maslow Hierarchy Failing?

Every day in the newspaper, I get to read that so and so company has cut so many employees or jobs.....It is disheartening. Intelligent, Competent, Committed and most of all highly Capable individuals have become a liability, just a cost! Organizations are coming up with the most ridiculous ways to get rid of employees. Some times blunt, some times false, at times considerate yet firm. Yes, the message comes to those chosen. You have to go! You have to go and feed your family. On what? there is no answer. Where will the next job come from?there is no answer.

Employee motivation is in pits. The fear of loosing once job, has killed creativity and engagement at all levels. Without motivation, where will performance come from? Without employee performance, how will organizations turn-around? No one knows. Right now they are all looking short term to cut looses.

It's sad to see, so may disengaged employees across industries. Each day thousands and lakhs of them go home, to further spread this gloom to their families. Suddenly "employee" word has become shameful. No ones wants to be where they are. Senior. Middle management or those at the lower levels. Everyone wants to move on from the current employer. In search of a better place to work, utopia. Which does not exist.

People who has worked hard to reach self esteem or self actualization on Maslow's Hierarchy, have slipped down to safety and security. Many time tested management models are failing. Everyone is grappling in the dark. Looks like we are dealing with an unknown monster this time.

My Green grocer, Car washer, and Tailor are certainly better off. No fear of loosing jobs. Job is not good work any more, it is just a necessity. Hang on...be there till times change. No one says, do good work and stay there. Who is to blame? I would say the senior management. Is that why they are paid hefty salaries?For not having looked at solutions and picked up employee exit or churn as the only option. It is a low hanging fruit anyways. Least creative solution!!!Cut cost by cutting jobs. We will hire when we need them. What about Corporate Social Responsibility?

Unless the HR department wakes up and handles this situation, employee disengagement may have serious consequences on the productivity and as a result turn around. Counseling cells have to be set up, help employee's cope with these tough times. The focus has to be on increasing productivity with the existing people, and not churning people to cut costs.

Lantau Buddha

Recently I had opportunity to visit Hongkong. A must visit place I realised is the famous Lantau Buddha. One can reach it by road, else by Rope Car. I would advise the Rope Car because the ride is scenic and thrilling. There is a rope car terminal at Tung Chung Station. But one must have a head for heights. Else it can be unnerving. Dangling thousands of feet in free air in a small glass cabin which swings with the wind......well worth it. The rope car ends at Ngong Ping village, from where it is about 15 minutes of walking and about 100 odd steps to climb. The effort is worth because the sight of Buddha, calm; sitting in the Lotus posture is truly majestic and awesome. Also do not miss the Po Lin monastery and the fantastic Vegetarian meals surved in monastery campus.

My childhood friend, very sweet Jasbir.

A very dear friend of mine deserves a mention on my Blog. Her name is Jasbir and she is my childhood friend (the only one with whom I am in touch with). We grew up together. And then life goes one and we lost touch with each other. I moved away from Mumbai and completely forgot to remain in touch with her.

But after many years and after a lot of effort she managed to trace me. And we met again and then onwards we are in touch. Though not as frequently as one wishes to....but on and off!I am a busy working executive and a home maker. She too is the mother of a lovely 11 year old son. His name is Monty and his birthday falls on the next day as mine. Mine being 22nd November and his 23rd November.

Last one year has been particularly busy for me. Many things happening on the personal front and work front. Unfortunately once again I forgot to remain in touch with my Childhood friend; dear Jasbir. When ever she called me during this time, I was in a meeting or I was driving or something else occupied me. I promised her that I would return her call...but never kept my promise.

And one day....after many many many months I received an sms on my mobile phone. It was an unknown number. I was curious. Who could it be? The message too was touching. Since I have stored in on my mobile; I would like to share it verbatim, "To let someone realize your importance try to stay away so that they miss you......But don't stay away for such a long time that they teach themselves how to live without you....."..The message was so touching that I had tears in my eyes. I still dint know who had sent it..So I replied back asking whose number it was....No guesses! It was my friend Jasbir. Her message made me feel so miserable. I truly hated myself for not having got in touch with her earlier.

There are so many people to whom we matter. And we just take them for granted. My dear friend Jassi. I truly value your friendship. You are a part of my Childhood & all its beautiful memories. I cherish ever minute that we spent together....eating, playing, watching Television and so many more girlish talks that we had. It will remain in my heart till I get old and have amnesia or dementia what ever they call it. And then memories will fade away gradually. But till then it is a promise that I care for you. Lots of Love to you and Monty.