Inherent or Acquirable?
“Dude, what were you thinking, when you took up the project? It was an experiment at best. It was known that failure was a definite possibility. It was a high-profile project, you were in charge of it, you failed, and now you are left with egg on your face. Did you really think that you would be seen as a visionary, ‘Christopher Columbus’ type hero for taking on this project?” Ravi was scathing in his assessment of Jignesh.
“What makes you think that Jignesh took this up because he wanted to be a hero?” Uma responded, wondering about the motivation behind Ravi’s assertions.
“Arrey, in the corporate world, there is no other reason someone takes up such a high profile and risky project, if not to be seen as a star”
“Is that why you did not take it up?” Uma queried.
“You wanted me to tarnish my reputation by taking up such crazy projects?” Ravi chided Uma.
“There could be other reasons for someone taking up such a project” Jignesh responded nonchalantly. Ravi’s words seemed to have little effect on him.
“Whatever,” Ravi responded defensively. “It is imprudent to stick your neck out and then fail this spectacularly.”
“I think differently” Jignesh responded calmly. “The greatest lessons come from being out there at the edge, learning and growing. It was a learning experience for me. If I have to handle such a project in the future, I now know what to do and what not to. I have learned what works, and what does not.”
“And, it also made you look unintelligent and incapable. If I were the senior management in the firm, I would think that way about you.”
“Maybe that is why you are not in the senior management” Uma responded sarcastically.
“Smarts. Intelligence. Capability. What are these?” Jignesh queried. “These are not something inherent. These are merely chunks of acquirable knowledge and learned behaviours that enable one to achieve.”
“I disagree,” Ravi responded. “What you are saying is that effort and learning are what makes one a success. I have seen that some people are more predisposed to success as compared to others.”
“Mmm… what… could you justify that statement?” Uma probed.
“It’s simple, you dufus. Some people have the intelligence and smarts to make it to the top. Some people will never make it, there.” Ravi replied.
“It’s true that some people will not make it to the top. What I want to know is if that is because they cannot do so, or because they are not doing the right things to get there?” Uma persisted.
“Some people cannot. And it has got nothing to do with what they do. It is what they are or what they are not that determines this. Some people just have it, others do not.”
“So, do you believe that you will make it?” Uma asked him.
“What do you think, Uma?” Ravi challenged.
“I doubt it,” Uma laughed sarcastically.
“Even with my educational background, my intelligence, my talents? Even with these, you are saying that I will not. You are a dimwit, Uma. I believe in myself.” Ravi spoke. There was not even a hint of doubt in his voice. “And, this joker here is a public failure,” he said, pointing towards Jignesh.
Questions for Discussion:
- Has Jignesh made a fool of himself by failing publicly? Justify your assessment.
- What do you feel about Jignesh’s assertions that intelligence and capability are something that is acquirable and not inherent?
- How will holding on to the beliefs that Jignesh and Ravi possess determine the course of action that each of them will follow in their life?
