Livestream: ‘Try out different things, some will work for sure’

In a podcast with Factor Daily, his first after he quit the Infosys Board, Ravi has spoken out loud and clear. Whether it is attributing a ‘Karmic’ flavour reflected by his statement “every seven years forces converge, I ended up doing something radically different… not attributable to any plan” or his penchant for a data-driven ecosystem, listeners can hear and benefit immensely from the conviction expressed in a candid manner. 

For those who are in a constant dilemma, hearing the podcast can offer relevant and profound insights. Take for instance a reference to the underemployment scenario in India – 46 per cent of all people in workforce are self-employed and 42 per cent of this section earn less than Rs 5,000 a month. 

A more pertinent point is his astute observation about demographic dividend not necessarily translating to net job creation. One million people, who turn 18 years every month, enter the workforce age but the net new jobs created is negligible, a cause for a rapidly mounting stress. 

An articulation of the “big crisis building but not seen the magnitude,” has been done with clarity. Ravi’s use of “mouse” as a metaphor in the context of job search is a thought-provoking one. 

“Unless you are a cat, don’t catch a mouse (read jobs) by chasing it down.” This, he feels is, is less paying. Instead laying a trap with a bit of food such as cheese and pakoda, is a perfect trap laid by the predator. Likewise, one has to wait for the job to come by putting in the efforts to make oneself attractive and allow opportunities, jobs and all such things to come the one in quest. 

From erasing the “malware in mind” when it comes to hiring to the three fundamental building blocks that would help overcome bottlenecks, Ravi’s mantra is simple and effective: skills are dynamic; but traits are foundational and lifelong; a culture of learning is imperative to stay continuously motivated to stay relevant; the ability is to recognise that the game of employment has changed. Entrepreneurship is not the solution as the leader’s tryst with it in 1989 showed him. 

Though he was bitten by the business bug, Ravi chose to back out even when the investor was ready to hand out a cheque, for his passion quotient was missing. A thoroughly engaging capsule of experience, wisdom and the philosophical bent, which can transform a meanderer to a path of self-realisation in an increasingly disrupted world.