3 Lessons

I counted sixteen Admirals, retired and serving, in the audience that had filled the auditorium. They had all come at the annual seminar of the Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF) including a retired Air Chief and a serving Lt General.

The most remarkable person I met in the gathering was Geeta Vir, wife of the chairman of IMF. This 75 year old lady had spent more than 50 years married to the Navy first and then the merchant navy. She stood by her husband in the Navy. Later when he became a Master in commercial shipping she sailed with him for ten years. She had a lot of anecdotes to tell of her experience at sea. Like crossing the Pacific in a storm, entering far-flung ports, dealing with various situations that only a mariner faces. Right now she was running around organizing the whole show. She had the energy and alertness that would put people half her age to shame.

Though it was ten years since I left the Navy I knew most of the senior officers present there. This was an impressive attendance. I felt a little nervous to face the audience and speak on my subject – Electronic Charts.

In my younger days I had known many of these admirals as high and mighty personalities. Whatever they spoke was taken as pearls of wisdom. On this day too they were hogging the mike. Each of them giving their considered opinion. Except that they seemed out of sorts and quite out of touch with the ground reality. Mostly they were harping on their past glories..

“When I was commanding this (or heading that) etc. etc…..”

It was disappointing to see the once powerful men reduced to such a stature.

My paper was well received. Both the contents and delivery were appreciated. At tea-time many came over to congratulate and talk about the subject. I realized my previous naval rank didn’t matter. Just having the knowledge mattered.

Are there any lessons here? I have listed out three.

Lesson 1.
Stick to your strengths and prepare like hell. If you hone your knowledge continuously and remain abreast with the latest developments in your field you cannot go wrong.

Lesson 2.
Appointments and positions may all go away with time. Ultimately it is your personal skills that carry the day. Knowledge, power of communication, pleasant demeanor, physical fitness, mental alertness and such qualities will always stand by you.

Lesson 3.
Professional life is one aspect. Family and social life is another. You have to have a balance, so that one doesn’t suffer because of the other. Imagine the plight of a career-obsessed person who has neglected his family to reach the top. After he retires, which he must, he finds he doesn’t have either family or career.

These lessons are nothing new. We come across them in different forms at different times in our life. Once in a while they have to be re-affirmed.

As they say – “Live Your Values”.