Remember Who You Are: Book

Daisy Wademan. (2004). Remember Who You Are: Life Stories That Inspire the Heart and Mind, Harvard Business School Press, Boston.

A book of reminiscence from a Harvard alumna, about the most influential anecdotes from fifteen distinguished Professors of Harvard Business School. The book made sense to me coming from an academician. This will be the only book that will be as inspiring as one that comes from top industrialists (Sloan, Morita, Welch et al.). It disproves the theory that 'Those who can do, do..While others teach". I add "Those who teach, make others do". Academicians also make sense... and this book proves the point. The most influential people in a person's life is his/her teacher.

The collection of anecdotes are divided into four subthemes; namely a) gaining Perspective b) Managing Yourself c) Leading Others, and d) Building values. The book appeals to me for its lucid language, crisp presentation, unassuming and unconventional advice. The credits go to the academic community at Harvard who perish the myth that academicians are Phi Beta Kappa Individuals with low ambition and drive.

Prof. Jai Jaikumar advices all his students to 'Relax' and 'Celebrate Life' to improve the "Luck" of people surrounding you. His escape from a near death experience on a mountaineering expedition delivers a great message- "passion delivers opportunities from Moments of Hardship by Luck". Prof. Henry B. Reiling's definition of Good Luck is "the absence of Bad Luck". Prof. Jai furthers this belief, "Success is born in your Good Fortune; and Obligation is born in Your Success". Great acts of philanthropy are thus born out of your success and greater responsibilities are created as you scale great heights.

Donot Attend Your Fifth MBA Alumni Reunion
This one is interesting, the anecdote advices you not to attend the fifth reunion because 'short term gains' stiffle growth; you will compare your achievements with your batchmates that are superficial in existence. I agree!
You becomes risk averse and go low on confidence imagining what your classmates will have been able to achieve in five years. This makes you follow the secure route out of the fear of coming up emptyhanded early in life. The big thing is "don't hesitate to make career changes". I find many MBA students scampering for "Job Placements". I tell them "Donot Chase Jobs, Let Jobs Chase You, because it is building a Career that is your goal". Forget Changing careers, Indian MBA's hesitate when it comes to changing jobs. They mistake jobs for careers.

Face Uncertainities, and Take calculated Risks
The most humorous anecdote is from Prof. Jeffrey F. Rayport about the "Stuffed Bird". I was visualising "Doctor Proctor's" quixotic methods of challenging students. I believe hard nosed professors intimidate students to challenge them. "Creative acts demand Courage and Confidence". When "Doctor Proctor" asks the students to write a four hour examination about a stuffed bird, he simulates the real life scenario of great uncertainity.

Be 'Like' Yourself
The best section of the book is "Be Like Yourself" by Prof. Richard S. Tedlow. It answered the question that has been lingering in my mind for the last 4 years as an academician. I am one of those 'Kindergarten professors', and look at awe at those Professors who mesmerize a class through their lectures. I sometimes felt that one has to put a mask and create a different atmosphere. The questions is : How much can a Professor be himself to be a good instructor? Does being Yourself and presenting your complete personality (jokes, sharing your beliefs, informal approach to students) and self-revealing in front of a class make you a great Teacher?". The message is "You don't need to be Yourself in class- but You've got to be like Yourself". It helps in proper balancing of one's work life and personal life. We need to critically seperate our personal life (who we are) and work life (what we do). It is helpful to have a personality very much 'similar' to your real self, than 'put' up a pseudo persona. Personal Time matters, and a strong personal ethic rubs on your work ethic. One should not mix behaviour at home with work place behavior. It confuses you, and creates an Identity Management crisis.

Stay Grounded-Connect With people
On Managing your career as you move up in Life, one anecdote says 'the only change is circumstances in life'. As one moves up in the organisation (positions), the two things that she/he is deprived of are 'ground realities' and 'truth'. People report to your position with sugar-coated "bitter" pills. One needs to stay immune to "Self-praise Syndrome". Spending time with your loved ones will help you realize your self. The message is "However hard you try to love your job, your Job cannot Love you, but Your loved ones will". So as you move up in life "Stay down to earth", "instill Intellectual Honesty", "Courage in Subordinates to Question your Answers". All this can be achieved by "Increasing accessibility to your employees".

Set High Standards
This inspiring anecdote talks about realising the persihability of your cherished experiences and memories. how many of us have really cherished success in life. Sat down after a success and rewinded the moment immediately? It is all about Living the moment. It helps us to face later challenges in life and boosts our self esteem. It helps us give "Gifts of High Expectation" to others. It helps us to challenge our students.

The Best Lines are these...
"You Go out Today and Be a Leader. Stick to your Guns about what You Know to be Right and Wrong, and don't let anyone else drag You around by the Nose- Remember Who You Are"...

Did anyone say only Jack Welch can talk about Guts?