Discover Your Unique Potential

By Prakash Bhide

BOOK DESCRIPTION
Are you feeling frustrated, stagnated, or dejected in your career or life? Are you feeling confused about which career to choose? Are you facing a job loss or a mid-career crisis? Are you bored and lonely after retirement?

Do you want to accelerate your career graph? Do you want to achieve outstanding success? Do you want to be happier and more fulfilled in your career and life?

Do not worry. "Discover Your Unique Potential' is a practical and proven guidebook that will help you find the path to a successful career and fulfillment.
This guidebook is based on research in psychology, behavioral science, neuroscience, and spirituality. It provides you with practical and proven tools, strategies, success stories, and exercises. These will help you to identify your passions, core values, talents, strengths, purpose, and IKIGAI. The guidebook will be your lifelong companion.

In this fast-changing ' VUCA" world ( Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous ), where people are likely to change 3 to 7 jobs in their lifetime or transition to entirely new career paths, this book is the best defense in your hand and your lifelong mentor.

Once you 'Know Yourself Deeply and Honestly' the simple 5-Step Model will help you to unleash and script the unique and powerful story of your own life and live it successfully.

This book "DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUE POTENTIAL' will be your trusted companion throughout your life, whether you are 20, 40 60, or 80 years. It will help all, High School and College Students, Corporate Executives, Homemakers, Housewives, Sportsmen, Musicians, Artists, School Teachers and Professors, Scientists, and in fact, all who want to have successful careers, and fulfilled, and happy life.

Do not wait any longer. BUY the book and begin your exciting journey. An ideal gift for your family and loved ones.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paper Towns Publishers
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9788119455690

Book preview

CHAPTER  1

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IN T R O D U C T I O N

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Never underestimate the Power of Dreams and the influence of the Human Spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The Potential for Greatness Lives Within Each One of us.

Wilma Rudolph

From Disability to Olympic Glory.

Once, there was a beggar. For many years, he used to sit for the whole day on a large wooden box given to him by his father. Many passers took pity on him and used to put some coins in his begging bowl. At the end of the day he used to have supper with his meager earnings and then sleep on the large wooden box as his bed.

Once a saint was passing by and stopped to enquire as to why he was begging. The beggar said he could not find work. He always wanted to be rich and start his business, but he had no money and no one was ready to help him. He had already dropped out the school. His father was a rich man and had left this large wooden box as his legacy for him.

The saint blessed the beggar so that he would be rich soon and then follow his passion. The saint asked, What is in this large wooden box on which you sit all day? The beggar said, I do not know. I never thought about it. Let me open it now. The beggar, with a lot of effort, opened the box. Lo and behold, he could not believe his eyes. The large box was full of gold coins. He started dancing with excitement. The saint was nowhere to be seen.

Each one of us has the treasure of our Unique Potential hidden inside us. We need to look inside to discover it. No one else can do it for us.

Sophia was a bit tense and anxious. Today was the yearly performance review meeting with her manager. She joined the company 3 years ago, as a fresher, after completing her graduation from college. She had been

an individual contributor, had worked, hard, and met her goals and targets on time. She waited to be called in. She was expecting a good rating and a promotion to the next level as Team Leader.

Sophia was soon called in. Her manager reviewed her yearly performance and said that she was a High Performer and had been rated 4 out of 5 on the performance scale. He informed her of her annual increment also. Sophia waited for the news of her promotion. She could not hold it any longer, so she inquired about it. Her boss informed her that she needs to improve her teamwork, communication, and leadership competencies for promotion. Required competencies for various levels are given on the company's internal portal. He will help personally and also request the Unit HR Head to help with her development. Sophia was crestfallen. She somehow held back her tears and came back to her seat. She was sobbing. She was questioning "I am a High Performer and I have met my targets. Then why am I not promoted?

What is the difference between Performance and Potential? She decided to request a meeting with the Unit HR Head to understand and find out more about

the aspect of Potential and how she can improve on her 3 competencies.

Stephen Hawking- a world-renowned theoretical physicist and cosmologist who was paralyzed with ALS disease at the age of 21 and bound to a wheelchair and could not speak later, is world-renowned for his theory of the origin and structure of the universe, from Big Bang Theory To Black Holes. He has quoted

"When life gives you lemons, accept them and be

grateful."

Then

Do all you can to change what you can

Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely, on June, 23rd 1940 in Tennessee USA, in a family of 22 children, with little or no resources to sustain a professional sports career, Wilma had to face even bigger challenges when she was stricken with polio at the age of 4 years. Doctors said she may not be able to walk again. But she had a fire burning inside her, an unstoppable strength that nothing, not even polio or social barriers could ever stop her.

By the time she was 12, she had overcome polio and started to walk again. To her doctor’s and family’s surprise, she took up athletics which was her passion. Eight years later she was an Olympic Champion. She won 3 Gold Medals in the 1960 Rome Olympics in 100 meters, 200 meters individual events, and 4 by 100 meters relay. She was the first American major national superstar in track-and-field events. She was inducted into the Black Sports Hall of Fame in 1973 and the USA National Track and Field Hall Of Fame in 1974. She was inducted into the USA Olympics Hall of Fame in 1984 She wrote an autobiography which was made into a movie in 1977. In 2004, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 23cent stamp in the Distinguished American Series in recognition of her outstanding achievements. Wilma is a Role Model and an inspiration to many athletes as a symbol of Courage.

Many others start as physically challenged but differently gifted. They have discovered and unlocked their unique potential with grit and determination to become Role Models eg Helen Keller- deaf and blind, John Nash-mathematician winning the Nobel prize was afflicted with schizophrenia, Louis Braille- even though blind, invented Braille Language for the blind and many more indomitable souls. Hats Off to Them.

When God has blessed us with this life, let us Go for It and live a Fulfilled life by unleashing our unique hidden potential. ‘Just Do It" Nike says.

My successful mid-career transition from Manufacturing and Operations to Human Resources Department.

It was 1990. I was at the age of 42. I have done well over the last 20 years in my career. After graduating in Mechanical Engineering from the premier institute of IIT Bombay, I joined a USA-based multinational. I got many promotions and after 12 years headed a large Petrochemical manufacturing complex, worked in the USA on a large project assignment, headed TQM, and was a Business Head of a small SBU.

I was called by my Managing Director and he shared that I had been identified as having High Potential and that I had a chance to go to the Board in a few years. As per the company policy, I had to prove myself in a different department and at the group Head Quarters and get relocated. They had decided that I should head as General Manager of the Human Resources department, at least for 3 years, for the group with 7000 employees 10 factory locations, and a very large sales

force, pan-India, and prove myself in a different department.

3 years later in mid-1993, I was 45 years. I had been quite successful and rated as excellent in the new role. I was now at a crossroads in my career. I was enjoying and am now passionate about the Human Resource Role. Should I go back to the Head of Manufacturing and Operations of the group at the Board Level? Should I start afresh and make my career in the Human Resources Department?

I deeply reflected on my passion and strengths and took the help of some experts to discover my hidden potential. I made a bold decision to transition and make my career in the Human Resources Department in the future. Many of my friends and family members were astonished. Many raised doubts and commented it was a risky move. I had butterflies in my stomach and a little bit of fear. Soon I got a job as VP of Human Resources in a large professional family-driven group. I learned quickly the practical nuances from many senior HR Heads of other companies and HR professors. Then I enrolled and completed my Ph.D. in Human Resources from the premier institute XLRI (Harvard of HR in India), on the topic of ‘Leadership’. I was an active

member and was elected as President of the National HRD Network, Mumbai Chapter in India. I am happy that with willpower, determination, guidance support from my mentors, and blessings of God, at the age of 55, I headed a group with 13 companies ($2.5 Billion turnover Group) as Group President of Human Resources for the next 10 years. I continued to learn continuously and completed many certifications and courses. I was honored with many awards in Human Resources and published many articles in reputed journals and Books by ‘The Centre of Creative Leadership USA. I was also honored and conferred with the Fellowship of the All India Management Association. I completed many certifications in Executive Coaching, before starting my consultancy specializing in Executive Coaching for CEOs and CXOs for the last 10 years. I am also on the board of some companies as an independent director. One has to relentlessly learn all his life with humility. I am still learning and feel excited and engaged.

Emily was born in New York. She studied finance and was a Financial Analyst at HSBC. She realized after 3 years that she was not passionate and enjoying her job. After deep reflection, she decided on a Mid-Career 180-degree change after discovering her

passion and potential for a Human Resources Role. She got her competency assessment done through DDI. She also did a short-term course on human resources to equip herself. She talked to some of her mentors and friends in the HR department about the nature of HR work. She requested and did a short 6-month job rotation in the HR function at HSBC before resigning on good terms with the company. She is now a successful Talent Acquisition Specialist and enjoying her work at a reputed company.

Dramatic career transitions in entirely new fields with new skills and competencies are likely to be faced and become the new normal, in this VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) with people losing jobs due to automation, downsizing, and shutting down of industries. Many who get stuck in their careers and do not find the excitement and passion, also seek new careers and take the risk. You need to be prepared to Be A Phoenix and rise from the ashes by Unlocking your Unique Potential and live a more Fulfilled Life at various stages of life’s challenges with twists and turns.

Chapter: Summary and Takeaways

Story of the beggar- We all have a huge hidden golden treasure of our untapped unique potential hidden inside us.

One needs to discover it, to have a more successful, fulfilled, and happier life. No one else can do it for you. You have to go deep inside yourself and find it.

Story of Sophie: Her performance was very good. She was still not promoted to the next level. She was told by her manager that she needed to improve her competencies so that she could be promoted. The question in Sophie’s mind is, why was I not promoted despite superior performance? Is Performance and Potential different, and if so how? What are competencies? Performance is for ‘PAST" while Potential is for ‘FUTURE’.

Stories of Stephen Hawking and Wilma Rudolf:

When life gives you lemons, accept them and be grateful. Then Do all you can to change what you can. Accept the challenges with strong willpower, and seek help from mentors and coaches. Do not get

discouraged by naysayers. Develop family and other support systems. Keep your spirits high. Discover and unleash your unique potential. Be positive and go for your passion and expertise and as Nike says Just Do It.

My own story and the story of Emily: Discover your unique potential and passion even in mid-career and late career. Transitioning to a completely different department is possible, with determination and readiness to learn new skills with humility to have more success and fulfillment in life.

You can Discover Your Unique Potential at Various Stages and Challenging Phases of Your Career and Life, and unleash it to be Successful, Happier, and Fulfilled.

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Let Us Begin The Exciting Journey Together.

CHAPTER 2

HO W CA N TH I S B O O K BE N E F I T Y O U ?

Do you feel frustrated, unhappy, or stuck in your job or career?

Do you feel, I am making good money, I have a name and status in my organization and industry, but I am not enjoying the work, I am not excited. I am not able to fully unleash my unique potential. What can I do? Should I look for other opportunities? How should I do it?

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Do you want to accelerate your career graph? Do you want to achieve outstanding success? Do you want to be happier and more fulfilled in your career and life?

Believe me, you are not alone. Surveys show that 70% of Americans are reported to be unhappy with their jobs. According to Gallup’s recent State of the Global Workplace report, 85% 0f the employees are not engaged, or worse, many are actively disengaged at work. More than 50% of college graduates have reported regretting choosing to invest in a wrong degree not aligned with their passion and unique potential. Recent Gallup and Forbes surveys show that, despite fears of recession, the US remains amid great voluntary resignations with job dissatisfaction. 60% are emotionally detached, out of which 19% are miserable.

If you are in the above, you have picked the right book. This will show you the proven way to ‘Discover Your Unique Potential’ and unleash it by writing your script, for your career and life to be successful, exciting, fulfilled, and happy.

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