What's in it For Me?
Man
is a part of the Animal Kingdom as we all know and it is the superior brain
that we possess that has made us rule the world, brought about its glory and in
the bargain brought it closer to destruction.
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The
basic instinct of an animal is survival. For the human being too it was always
a question of “roti, kapda aur makaan” (food, clothing and shelter) and the
shelter led to propagation of the species. Our merits have brought us this far
and the knowledge we have mastered is immense but the basic instinct, no matter
how well clothed, comes out. This happens to the best of men and women. “What’s
in it for me?” This drives all our actions. Is survival wrong, you would ask?
Of course there is nothing more precious than life- ours and those dearest to
us-higher thinking and spirituality can take a walk for now!!
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I
have pondered about this for a long, long while, over years in fact. I think of
what my parents have taught me- the joy of giving without expecting anything in
return and all things altruistic. There are times I wonder why other parents
didn’t teach their children that! I am wrong. Every parent teaches their
children all the right things and great ideals but in their own lives they are
constantly first attending to their children and families and taking care of
those around them only after their needs are met. We see that and we imbibe
those behavior patterns. In other words, it is only when your basic needs of
food, clothing and shelter are met can you talk of higher ideals. So, next time you come across a selfish person
just know that he/she is a bit more insecure about his/her own survival. We are
just a notch less selfish but selfish we all are. Altruism is a learnt trait and this learnt trait
keeps a family together at a basic level and communities, states, countries and
the world together on a larger level. One crunch situation is enough for us to
forget it.
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Yet,
in recent times our basic needs are no longer basic. There is a certain amount
of greed for more and more and more. Teachers leave schools for better schools
if the pay is more or they are treated better irrespective of the fact that
mid-session the child might suffer; people switch jobs only thinking about
their comfort and a hope for a better life. On a larger scale, humans as a
whole have depleted the planet of its natural resources by only catering to
their own needs.
What
is the solution to this natural but ever increasing problem? Recently, I read an article by Rodger Dean
Duncan in which he talked about how a leader could affect a smooth transition
only by taking care to satisfy the employee’s basic focus. Interestingly, he
mentions that the minute a change is announced, all the workers tune into their
most powerful internal FM station WIIFM (What’s in it For Me?!). How can we
satisfy our needs as the human race without encroaching upon one another’s
needs or the needs of other species or that of the Earth in general?
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One
of my previous Commanding officers used to tell us very often to always look at
the larger picture. This was drilled into us. We did not use it much then but the
thought remained. Today, I bring this very suggestion before us as the only
possible solution to the “What’s in it For Me” vs. the organizational woes or dwindling
resources and impending disaster of our planet. When faced with a WIIFM signal,
all we need to do is to calm down and zoom out. Taking the broader picture into
view we are able to see far ahead; we can see that we don’t really need to be
all that greedy and insecure; we can see that while we take a decision that is
pro us, we can also make sure that the organisation we work for or the
resources we use don’t suffer a setback because of our step forward.
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Just
living a bit more conscientiously, and by understanding that if we work for a
larger good our interests will be naturally met, we can keep the “What’s in it
For Me?” syndrome to a bearable and friendly level.
I remember a song from the school days.... "Give a little more, larger than before.... Make this world a little better... Only if we try". Our talents don't make us, it's always our choices which define us. The WIIFM syndrome is quite predominant these days but every now and then we come across people who selflessly keep giving and make the right choices.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true dear friend :)
DeleteWIIFM may not remain a problem if we can behave less selfishly, when we want something.... And seeing the larger picture always helps. Been trying to use it for the past few years now. A well written piece....
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much RT :)
DeleteBeautifully written post, and something none of us ever want to admit to - being selfish and always wanting something in return for every decision we make, for ourselves or for another. The most organic behavioral pattern for us as humans is to immediately zone into the WIIFM frame of mind. Being just a tiny bit selfless, giving just a little more than we take and just once in a while going that extra mile for nothing in return or for the greater good is a life lesson we ought to learn. So impressed with your ideology. Great way to begin the year. Deep, out-of-the-box, thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beautiful...it matches your ideology Ms Large Heart :)
DeleteSimply loved it....WIIFM....beautiful.It is a fact...we don't like to admit it.Beautifully written....thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Priyeee :) :)
DeletePPC!!!! Pertinent... Precise... Concise!!!! Love it... Awaiting the next :)
ReplyDeleteReminds me of ABC-accuracy, brevity, clarity ;) Thank you Jiji :) :)
DeleteWe all have to consistently work on this aspect.
ReplyDeleteWe do!
Delete