Her Perfect Life

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a c***k in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

This went on daily for a long time, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

 After a year of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself and I want to apologize to you”.  The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”. The Pot replied, “I am able to deliver only at half of my capacity because this c***k in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

The water bearer smiled softly and said, “During our return journey, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”  As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the beautiful colorful flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it somewhat.  But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer then said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because, I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For the last many months, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way, you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house. Just because you don’t serve the desired purpose, does not mean you don’t serve any purpose! You are perfect in your own ways!”

“So, what does this old Indian folklore tell us?” I asked the awed audience in front of me. After a moment I continued, “Each of us has our own unique flaws.  We’re all cracked pots.  In this world, nothing goes to waste.  You may think like the cracked pot that you are inefficient or useless in certain areas of your life, but somehow these flaws can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. We need to allow ourselves as well as others to appreciate these flaws and work around those. There is no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections! I would like to close this session on this thought and leave you all to reflect on how you will be applying the lessons learned during these 2 days of intervention in your life. Thank you for your time and Wish you All the Best!”

Silence. Every time I close my workshops with this story, I am greeted with pin drop silence. I watch the inspired audience, a bunch of Vice Presidents and Associate Vice Presidents, working in the mid- management roles in Retail Banking department, people who have the power to positively or negatively affect the workforce. I give them some time to absorb and reflect on the parting thoughts and then it happens…they start clapping, discussing with each other how they will make a difference in their department and in the workplace. Many of them approach me and compliment me on my facilitation skills, thanking me for the impactful intervention and assure me that they will follow through on the learnings. I know they will, because my team will keep a watch on their progress through post workshop assignments and one on one feedback sessions during the coming months.

I feel a surge of energy in me once the crowd parts and the garden area where we were conducting our last session for the day is cleared as the participants move towards the refreshments arena to have tea and snacks before retiring to their rooms. I am tired and my legs are hurting because of the exertion during the various team building, Leadership and personal development sessions that I have conducted over the last 2 days. We included games, situational role plays, time bound activities which required a lot of running around during the day. 

Yet, I feel alive and energetic! This is my passion. This is what I live for. I am the “Chief Talent Officer” for one of the prominent Banks in India. My job involves Talent management, performance coaching, facilitation of workshops and much more. Basically, identifying potential in people and guiding them to do better, to reach their full potential. I usually run interventions for the top management. It is so satisfying to see people succeed and achieve their dreams with a little bit of a push in the right direction.

“Wrap up everything and please do not forget the laser pointer remote. I don’t want to be searching for one during the next intervention. We have already lost many of those” I tell my subordinate who was assisting with the logistics of the program. I also had 2 junior trainers from my team to shadow me during this program, who were busy collecting all the scattered training material from the area. “Good work team. Next time I want you to run one of management sessions alone. It will give you good exposure and build the required confidence. I’ll share one on one feedback with you once we are back to Mumbai.” They smiled at me uttering a quick thank you and got back to their work. I am sure they are tired too.

I wanted to sit in silence for a few moments and collect my thoughts on what went well during my program and where I could improve, however Rehan had other plans. 

“You never fail to surprise me Anaita! That was a very inspiring session. All the sessions during the last 2 days have been so insightful. Your interventions are always the highlight of any of our Annual Departmental meets.” He said placing his right hand around my shoulder. 

“I have attended so many of your workshops, yet I never get bored. I have started to think that you bewitch your audience with some magic potion so that they do not lose interest” he said jokingly and earned a slap on his left arm from me. “You die to attend my workshops Rehan. Admit it…you were not required to attend this one, yet you came here 2 days early, despite your busy schedule. I thought you would join only tomorrow for the strategy meet and awards ceremony.” 

He laughs and starts guiding me towards the main hotel where we have been staying for the last 2 days. “I’m sure the Credit team will be requesting you this year as well! You make me so jealous sometimes, I hate your popularity!” Rehan starts whining as usual.

Rehan and I met nearly 9 years ago, during the orientation program for new joinee’s in the Bank, which we both were attending on our first day there. We instantly clicked and have been pretty much inseparable since then. We have supported each other in our professional as well as personal lives. We grew and climbed the corporate ladder together. Currently he is the ‘Recruitment Head’ for the Bank. We have had our own share of fights at work, but we are the best of friends. We are each other’s mirror, brutally honest and supportive, because we care for each other.

At the moment, we are in Goa for an offsite Retail Banking Team Meet which lasts for a week, along with the leadership team and top performers of the department from across the Country. The first 2 days were reserved for the Retail Banking Team for reviews and planning. Post that 2 days of intervention by the training and talent team and tomorrow is the last day where all the top management team shall join for a day to discuss the strategy and conduct the awards ceremony for the Department. Every department conducts their own Annual meets, or rather it is a relaxing time to allow everyone to unwind and fuel up for a grueling year ahead.

“You have 2 hours to get ready, we are going clubbing”, with that he left me in front of my room, walking away towards his own. 

“Hey, the regional heads have invited me for clubbing tomorrow, they are going post the awards ceremony. I can’t go today, when am I supposed to sleep? I am not a robot!” I shout at his retreating figure. 

Rehan chuckles, “So much drama…I know you are dying to go clubbing with me dancing queen! Also, it’s been so long that we went out like this. A few others are joining as well. Don’t dress up too hot ok, you know I hate to share the limelight.” 

I let out a hearty laugh and walked inside my room. 'Typical Rehan' letting out a long sigh, I decide to rest for an hour before getting ready for a long night of booze, dance and drunk conversation, where I am sure he is going to make fun of my synopsis of the Cracked Pot story saying, “Everyone has a c***k…how original!” thinking about it and laughing inwardly, I say a silent prayer asking for strength, not to kill my best friend!

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Hello Readers,

This chapter gives you a small glimpse of Anaita's professional life. I know it is a little heavy, but it is important in setting the context for our Lead character. The next chapter will introduce you to an important character in the story...any guesses??

Happy Reading till then.