We have a tendency of not accepting difficult realities, for example, What happens if an employee see flaws in the CEO’s thinking or decision making? Is it acceptable for an employee to ask questions? Will those in authority accept them respectfully? Perhaps many a times this doesn’t happen. If not, the transparency offered is one way, which has limited value. For example, if my plan is to do something stupid, say to charge a burger for INR 500, one way transparencies with my employee won’t improve anything. If the Indian market demands for lesser price with slight modification in quantity or size, yet I insist on betting the company on them, the transparency of my plan has little effect on the quality of the business.

The transparency should help to achieve better thinking, but this doesn’t happen because of the transparency itself. The thinking can be better if the leaders listen to the feedback, changing their plans to incorporate better ideas. The authorities are expected to behave graciously when criticized, and reward people who provide good ideas, with only true reward – improving the plan.

I have personal seen and felt at times during marketing or sales, transparency is more fabricated. We see many salesman never say certain things, even they are true. I have never seen till date an advertisement claiming this product is not as good as our competitors. I was asked list of competitors and how we are better than them? I did mention the list of competitors and I projected our strengths and set a expectation about our training program. At times I did recommend other organisations to look for the training program, as I felt this is not our domain expertise. Because consumer’s are wise they know this. I know there are things salesman will never say. And in all communication there are unsaid and fundamental limits to how transparent the message can be.

I leave this article with a question, Is it good to have transparency? Stay tuned to know if not transparency, what else can be important?
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As you talk with local Italians, they seem to stand in your space, continually grabbing you, talking over the top of you, yelling in fact, and sounding angry about everything. But these things are a normal part of everyday friendly Italian communication. Not all things in all cultures mean the same things.

There is a cultural differences in body language for each hand signals and we will see how many different meanings for each of them.

A. Europe and North America: OK
Mediterranean region, Russia, Brazil, Turkey: An orifice signal; sexual insult; gay man
Tunisia, France, Belgium: Zero; worthless Japan: Money; coins

B. Western countries: One; Excuse me!; As God is my witness; No! (to children)

C. Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malta: Up yours! USA: Two
Germany: Victory
France: Peace Ancient
Rome: Julius Caesar ordering five beers

D. Europe: Three Catholic countries: A blessing

E. Europe: Two
Britain, Australia, New Zealand: One
USA: Waiter!
Japan: An insult

F. Western countries: Four Japan: An insult

G. Western countries: Number 5 Everywhere: Stop!
Greece and Turkey: Go to hell!

H. Mediterranean: Small penis Bali: Bad
Japan: Woman
South America: Thin
France: You can’t fool me!

I. Mediterranean: Your wife is being unfaithful
Malta and Italy: Protection against the Evil Eye (when pointed)
South America: Protection against bad luck (when rotated)
USA: Texas University Logo, Texas Longhorn Football Team

J. Greece: Go to Hell!
The West: Two

K. Ancient Rome: Up yours!
USA: Sit on this! Screw you!

L. Europe: One
Australia: Sit on this! (upward jerk)
Widespread: Hitchhike; Good; OK
Greece: Up yours! (thrust forward)
Japan: Man; five

M. Hawaii: ‘Hang loose’
Holland: Do you want a drink?

N. USA: I love you

O. The West: Ten; I surrender
Greece: Up Yours — twice!
Widespread: I’m telling the truth

I am pledging here to thank people who do things I value. For first time readers, thanks for reading. I shall leave you all with a funny thank you notes, smile at everyone, shake hands, hug, kiss and be a difference maker in the small world that is my own mind. None of my writing may matter to you, but I have a great hope you will consider what does and do something about it.

People are waiting to feed an idea, an argument by asking question: ‘How do you know what you know?’Such challenging claims illuminates ignorance. I can quote ample examples:

‘Our services are best in the world’ Really? How do you say so?
‘Studies show that man can be at venus’ What studies? Who ran them and why? Did you actually read the study or a two sentence summary? Are there any studies that claim opposite claim?

We can notice the person often can’t answer quickly when you ask such question. Even the great thinkers need time to establish their logic and separate assumptions from facts. It’s often seen, people giving opinion or a guess with no data, these may be fine, but those claims are weak. We tend to stuff things up.

We all know that a solid idea and concept will maintain its decorum how were it’s shaken by others. But a lie will surface up. It’s like a magical experience to eyes, but its fake when it lands in your hands. A lie will seek urgency: it will resist reviews, discussion, consultations etc. It is always recommended not to make big decisions under constraints or pressure. Welcome experts opinion or decisions to add intellectual pressure or hire a consultant to create constraints. These habits will create hostile environments for liars.

Liars will use Jargon and beclouding in huge quantities. These make people feel stupid. I always felt that, if I didn’t understand something, it’s writers or speaker fault, not mine. In other words see if you see confidence in reduction.

Thank you for your likes to the previous article and constant encouragement! Good Day!

We have heard ample times from others or we have said – ‘I don’t like liars’. But the fact is ‘Everyone lies’, it’s just a question of how, why, and when. At times late to work, meeting, campus interviews movies we kinda invent a story to protect ourselves. We may not mean to harm, although collateral damage often happens.

This is because truth manipulation is part of the human condition. Let’s accept it now. It’s quite unfortunate to see that lies, destroy relationships, because it is believed that trust is a binding force to bind each others.

Why people lie?

The first lie (Western history) comes from the Gensis (Old Testament). God created Adam and Eve, God told the man and woman that it was their job to take care of their new home. God blessed them, saying, “All this is for you. Help yourself to anything you like. But never touch the tree in the middle of the Garden. That tree gives knowledge of good and evil. The day you eat its fruit, you will die.” Serpent tempted Eve, so she and Adam had a breakfast, God appears and scolds Adam – who blames Eve which results in everyone, animals and people, getting thrown out of Eden forever. If I look at it, nearly everyone lied. God had created a ambiguity (as it was deceptive ‘Knowledge of good and evil’) may be termed as a lie. As Adam understood that fruit will not cause any great disaster. As ‘death’ was never explained before. Serpent misrepresents the fruit’s power, and Adam encourage the lie by pointing to Eve.

Having said this, people lie to protect themselves. A need (cherish) and fear (confrontation) are vital reasons perhaps many times a lie pop up. There is a clear psychological need motivating every lie. In order not to be caught, many of us imagine improbable stories: accidents, illness (onion fever), traffic (commonly seen). We tend to reinvent physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. The stress of inventing and maintaining a lie is harder than just telling the truth. Yet we don’t.

I shall tell you a story told by a faculty to me, “On an examination day four students showed up late. All four said, the car wheel tyre (one of the wheel tyre) was punctured and it took more time to reach. Please allow us to write and be considerable to give us extra time. The teacher agreed to this and asked them to take four seats in the four different corner of the class. All four students felt that they have won a battle. Teacher gave a question to answer as part of examination, Which side of the wheel tyre was punctured?.”

We also lie because its a gamble. Did you lie to your friends, parents or relatives about your grades, girl or boy friends or where you were yesterday late night? I am sure we did lie and continue to do so. We like the innocence projection. We want others to see us better than we see ourselves. It’s funny and sad to see that, we believe we are alone in this great temptation, and we feel ashamed of it. As human’s we have weak moments of fear of loss and greed to gain – tends to melt our brains tempting us to lie we wish were true. Saying all this, the deepest honesty is from those willing to admit to their lies and own the consequences.

In the next article we will see how to identify the lie. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and my last lie is ‘This is my last article.’ Good Day! See you soon!

a. Worship Thy Research: Identify a researcher or fellow member from your campus or university, they would usually welcome assistance with their research projects. This can also be a great way to get some exposure and experience before an organisation knocks for campus interviews.
b. Hobby Project: They make a big deal in cracking a biggies like Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Facebook, Apple, Amazon and others. For example – In 1965, Yale University undergraduate Frederick W. Smith wrote a term paper about the passenger route systems used by most airfreight shippers, which he viewed as economically inadequate. Smith wrote of the need for shippers to have a system designed specifically for airfreight that could accommodate time-sensitive shipments such as medicines, computer parts and electronics. Though the idea was rejected by the panel members, he executed, the idea for Federal Express was born: a company that revolutionized global business practices and now defines speed and reliability.
c. Teach Others: Teaching assistant will help your professor to see you ‘in action.’ Many a times these helps you get a stronger letter of recommendation if needed anytime down the road. A stronger relationship with your teachers also provides you recommendations for jobs, as well great guidance academical and professionally. I always set a goal to know most of professor, it has surely paid dividends in the past and continues to do so.

Education institutes in India, if they want to win the rat-race they have overcome the ‘Placement View’ and provide the above checklist manifesto to compete.The manifesto will take care of rest of things.
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Smart Romeo and Book Smarts are ones who are good at following the rules. They enjoy playing some indoor activities, size or volume and knowledge are only vital tools they have for the real world situations. How to handle a tough situation is a world away from actually being in one. May be they learn difference after it is too late. It’s quite unfortunate to see that, they are trying to assimilate more knowledge through books and degree; rather than recognizing they are trying to improve the wrong skills. Are they half blind?
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