Days at ‘SlideShare’. And, a New hope.
No Jaggas, Tejas or Gabbars inside. Nothing controversial about it! *Dull Read Alert*
‘Overwhelmed’, that is exactly what I am feeling at the moment of writing this post. For the last year and a half, I have shared a unique camaraderie, which I hope will continue even after I take the leave from the position of your ‘friendly, neighborhood support guy’ from SlideShare. Oh! And before you start getting sentimental about that, just let me set things straight right at the outset. This is not a “Good Bye”, just “hasta luego” or “see you later”.
Today when I will walk out of the door, I will walk out with lot of cherished memories, learning that will last a life time, with more mentors and friends, and probably, as a better individual than I first walked in through the same door. And, the team SlideShare is to be thanked for all of it, and I mean each and everyone of you wonderful folks. So, instead of just sending an obligatory email about my departure, I have written this post to share some of the valuable lessons I have learnt while working with you (Not necessarily in the same order).
- Inside the mind of the user:
I will start with the subject I deal with day in and day out- ‘The User Experience’. Until recently, I used to believe in the phrase- “Treat the user/customer, the way you wish to be treated”. While that may still hold true, but, the new age wisdom says- “Give the damn user what they actually want, not what you think they want!” (Confused? Don’t worry, I am also trying to figure it out)
2. Communication is the key:
In my limited experience, I have always felt that walking down to the bay of dev or colleague you have to work with almost always gets the work done smoothly without any communication drops. Relying on emails and IMs to get the work done is almost same as installing and plugging in the treadmill, but not getting on it. Until your lazy bums don’t move, nothing happens.
3. Sport those magic curves, I mean the smile!
Because no one likes to work with a grumpy colleague. Or, maybe they do. That’s why those grumpy cat memes are so popular. But then, a smile also helps to disarm your detractors. So, try it
4. Read more books:
In the words of Mark Twain- “A man who does not read has no advantage over a man who cannot read”. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand this loop, Read-> Learn-> Grow
5. Sharing is learning:
Strictly speaking for myself, as a mere mortal with finite intelligence, the ‘learning through sharing’ development model has helped me a lot. It’s simple to understand and easy to implement, grasp the knowledge and wisdom others have to share and pass it on to the community or society in whatever way you can.
6. Ctrl+S, Ctrl+S, Ctrl+S:
It’s good to make hay while the sun shines, but at the same time be prepared for the “wet spells”. Be it that unscheduled car service, the unexpected medical exigency, or even the planned yearly investment, it always ‘pays’ to be prepared, literally. Because the dark days seldom come announced. As a thumb rule, try to maintain a saving pool equivalent to your 3-6 months salary, depending on how much you can spare after your monthly expenses.
7. Storify your experiences:
Brand, be it corporate or individual is built around stories, probably that’s why it’s referred to as “success stories”, and not success experience or success ventures. Because in a typical work environment, we’re all primitive inmates with backpacks and fancy gadgets, eagerly looking upto a wise person to tell us stories. In short, don’t borify your audience, rather, storify your experience.
There is so much I have soaked in that I can keep writing the entire night, but for the sake of not overloading you with my acquired knowledge, and ensuring the sanctity of the “supposedly” good rapport I think I have with you all, I will limit myself to these seven pearls of wisdom.
I will be happy to hear from all of you and assist in whatever way I can, from now until forever. The exceptions to this include but not limited to requests for loans, spying/extracting information from your ex’s FB profiles; ; or an invitation to lunch that ends with “can you drive”.
In parting, I could think of nothing else that could describe my emotions meaningfully, than this piece of poetry I once read.
You and I will meet again
When we’re least expecting it
One day in some far off place
I will recognize your face
I won’t say goodbye my friend
For you and I will meet again
~Tom Petty
