THE SECRET OF SUCCESS LIES IN NETWORKING

Success is more often than not the combined effort of more than one individual. Therefore I state that Networking enables success more than individual merit. The meritorious person may win the odd battle,but the networked person often wins the war. As a teacher I have seen hundreds of students pass each year with glorious marks. But whenever they come back for an alumni meeting,I am always pleasantly surprised to find the most successful persons were people with average grades in academics. The predictable ones are not in the same cadre. Though intriguing initially,I found the answers for my searching questions after observing for a period of five years or so. By deepening my introspection and in retrospect analyzing successful minds,I noted the following points .

1.The person with merit lacks the flexibility and fluidity required by the complex industry which is constantly changing and seeking individuals with the learn ability factor rather than mere intelligence. The industry thrives on people who can exist as per Darwin's survival of the fittest. The fittest more often than not are people who have average marks,but the right attitude.

2.The person who has the aptitude for learning and the attitude for the job goes to a higher altitude in career than others. What makes him successful at that is his inability to memorise combined with a distinct lack of awareness of the theoretical concepts which feed academic excellence. I have seen several diploma holders being more successful in a job than Engineering graduates since they have more practical exposure than the latter. Brilliant memory will help a person in getting great scores but will not help him on the job.

3.Generally the person who is average finds merit and sense in meeting people. Networks them and never hesitates to probe their minds. He asks questions relevant to life and tends to practise them in real life. He knows his disadvantages and works on things which come naturally to him. He makes a labored effort to coexist with others and thereby learns faster and without any ego. The rigidness of a brilliant academician is a hindrance to learning new concepts. Dogma's which are firmly implanted in his mind make him less inclined to adapt. It takes a lot of time to undo than create something new.

4.Networked minds are creative and believe in naturality and out of the box thinking. They understand their limitations and work on their weaknesses. They take life on a day to day basis and progress without any fuss or grandeur. Eventually they find their feet and become successful in life.

5.Networked minds posesss a higher emotional quotient than meritorious minds and a higher EQ has become the building block of a victorious career , a sure shot for success. They handle stress better and can overcome contingencies at work with little discomfort.

Merit is the direct result of memory and intellect,while networking is the isometric exercise of skill and creativity. While memory is time bound,skill is timeless. Tendulkar can pick up a bat when he is old and shadow exhibit an exquisite straight drive,but might not recollect his statistics. For a person as highly successful as Tendulkar,networking has been his mantra for success. He understands that his stature today is the conglomerated effort of several people starting from his first coach Sri.Ramakant Achrekar. He never fails to mention their roles in his success. It is true to several successful people in the great circle of Life. A school teaches you how to tap your brains. But stops short of defining the journey to success. Which is why many young minds are caught napping when it comes to handling experiences and emotions much later in life. If they are taught the art of networking minds they will be able to handle the ups and downs better. Mark twain once famously commented" I never let my schooling interfere with my education".To him education was the result of experiences and not mere academic excellence.

In a world where communication has busted barriers,where technology is the yardstick for growth,where ignited minds are looking to change perceptions,where traditions are giving way to modernity,where cast,creed,religion,country are obsolete references,where we are atoms vibrating in an infinite space,where geography has no relevance,where the world wide web has shrunk our physical edifice's,where the drawing room lights up images unthinkable a decade back,it is only natural that Networking can bring great success to people willing to learn,adapt,apply,share and integrate rather than relying solely on the borders of Merit to fetch the same returns. Networking is a powerful tool, difficult to overlook,while merit is slowly losing steam and focus mainly due to its rigidness,lack of transparency and lack of a foolproof and universal method to qualify it.