Monday, October 30, 2023

Lessons from Sports: Success, Failure, and Business. (England Cricket World Cup 2023)

I haven't been following the Cricket World Cup at all. My routine now consists of checking the match results at 4:30 AM, (good 8 hrs match ends) as I sip my morning coffee and flip through the newspaper's sports page on web. This is quite a departure from my usual approach, which includes closely following the Rugby World Cup which ended Sunday, and catching the 5-minute summary highlights.

As a cricket enthusiast of over 50 years, it's disheartening to admit that this is the first of the 12 World Cups that I've chosen to shun entirely. Shows how much the game has hit a nadir. I am surprised at the mediocre performance of current World Cup champions, the England Cricket team. It has left me pondering why a champion team, with such high expectations, has faltered so spectacularly. The last time I witnessed such a champion team perform so poorly was during the Korea/Japan 2002 Football World Cup when the defending champions, France, failed to make it to the last 16. These events have prompted me to contemplate the possible reasons behind such unexpected underperformance.

Karthik

30th October 2023. 

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Lessons from Sports: Success, Failure, and Business

The 2002 Football World Cup in France was indeed a classic case of such unexpected failure. Here are a few reasons why this happens and how we can take lessons from it:

  1. Complacency: Success can breed complacency. When a team has been consistently successful, they might underestimate their opponents, leading to a downfall. Lesson: Always respect your competition and stay hungry for improvement.

  2. Injury or Key Player Issues: Injuries to key players or issues within the team can disrupt performance. Sometimes, even one missing player can make a significant difference. Lesson: Build a deep and resilient team with contingency plans.

  3. Tactical Errors: Coaches and management decisions can sometimes be flawed. Tactics, team selection, and strategies may not work as expected. Lesson: Continuous adaptation and learning are crucial for success.

  4. External Factors: Off-field distractions, controversies, or political pressure can affect a team's performance. Lesson: Maintain focus and insulate the team from external pressures.

  5. Opponent Improvement: Sometimes, the competition has improved, and the champion team hasn't kept up. Lesson: Don't underestimate your rivals; always strive to be better.

  6. Psychological Factors: The burden of expectations can lead to anxiety and reduced performance. Lesson: Mental conditioning is as important as physical preparation.

To learn from such instances, it's essential to analyze the specific factors that led to the failure in each case. This analysis can help teams and individuals in various fields, including business and personal life, to be prepared, adaptable, and not take success for granted. Keep learning, stay agile, and maintain a growth mindset to navigate unexpected challenges successfully.


Team Selection in Sports: A Crucial Element

Team selection is a critical factor in the success of a sports team, and it can play a significant part in both expected and unexpected outcomes. Here's how it comes into play:

  1. Player Fitness and Form: Selecting players who are in good physical condition and form is crucial. Injuries or players out of form can negatively impact the team's performance. The coach's ability to assess the players' readiness is vital.

  2. Tactical Fit: The selection should align with the team's tactical approach. Choosing players who can execute the intended strategies effectively is essential. If there's a mismatch, it can lead to poor performance.

  3. Balance: A well-balanced team that covers all necessary positions and skills is important. Overemphasis on certain aspects while neglecting others can leave the team vulnerable.

  4. Experience vs. Youth: Finding the right mix of experienced players and talented youngsters is a key decision. Too much in either direction can be detrimental. Experience provides composure, while youth brings enthusiasm.

  5. Environmental Conditions: Alien country and field conditions can indeed be challenging factors. Different climates, altitudes, and pitch conditions can affect the way a team performs. Players might take time to adapt.

  6. Travel and Time Zones: Long-distance travel and time zone changes can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to jet lag, affecting player readiness.

  7. Cultural and Language Barriers: In international competitions, dealing with different cultures and languages can be a challenge. Effective communication and team cohesion are crucial.

To address these factors:

  • Preparation: Adequate preparation is vital. Training in conditions that simulate the actual environment can help players adapt more effectively.

  • Player Rotation: Managing player workload and rotation can help prevent injuries and keep players fresh.

  • Psychological Support: Sports psychologists can assist athletes in coping with the pressures of unfamiliar environments.

  • Cultural Sensitivity: Coaches and support staff should be aware of cultural differences and work to create a harmonious team atmosphere.

In the end, team selection and adaptability to environmental conditions require a combination of good judgment, thorough planning, and effective leadership. Learning from past experiences and continuously improving in these areas is crucial for a sports team's success.



Teams like Brazil in football, Germany in football, South Africa in rugby, and Australia in cricket have consistently performed well in various conditions due to several key factors:

  1. Strong Development Programs: These nations invest heavily in grassroots development programs. They identify and nurture talent from a young age, ensuring a steady supply of skilled players.

  2. Strategic Planning: Their sports organizations develop long-term strategies for success. This includes comprehensive coaching, infrastructure, and support systems.

  3. Adaptability: These teams are adaptable and can adjust to different playing conditions. Whether it's a wet pitch, high altitude, or extreme heat, they prepare thoroughly.

  4. Mental Toughness: They focus on the mental aspect of the game. Psychological training helps players stay composed under pressure.

  5. Teamwork and Cohesion: Team dynamics and unity are critical. Players understand their roles and work well together.

  6. Continuous Learning: They analyze past performances, learn from their mistakes, and continually improve.

  7. Strong Competition: Playing in competitive leagues or facing strong opposition regularly helps sharpen their skills.

  8. Cultural Embrace: They often embrace the sport culturally, making it a way of life. Football in Brazil, rugby in South Africa, and cricket in Australia are deeply ingrained in their societies.

  9. Institutional Support: The government, sports bodies, and sponsors provide ample support, both financial and logistical.

  10. Fans and Expectations: High expectations from passionate fan bases drive players to excel. The support motivates them to perform consistently.

It's important to note that while these teams have a history of success, they can still face challenges and downturns. However, their foundations and continuous improvement processes help them maintain a high level of performance in various conditions. This level of success is not just due to chance but the result of meticulous planning and dedication to the sport.


The success and failure of sports teams can indeed offer valuable lessons for organizations and businesses. Here are key takeaways:

From Success:

  1. Strategic Planning: Successful teams have well-defined strategies and long-term plans. Businesses should develop clear strategies to achieve their goals.

  2. Talent Development: Like sports teams invest in youth development, organizations should focus on nurturing talent through training and mentorship programs.

  3. Adaptability: Just as teams adapt to different conditions, businesses should be agile and flexible, ready to pivot in response to changing markets or unexpected challenges.

  4. Teamwork: Successful teams excel in teamwork and collaboration. Encouraging a cooperative culture in the workplace fosters innovation and problem-solving.

  5. Mental Toughness: Developing resilience and the ability to handle pressure is crucial for employees and leaders in high-stress environments.

  6. Continuous Learning: Regularly analyzing performance data and learning from successes and failures can lead to continuous improvement.

  7. Strong Competition: Facing strong competition forces both sports teams and businesses to elevate their performance.

  8. Cultural Integration: Successful teams often become part of the culture. Companies can align their values with their employees to create a shared sense of purpose.

From Failure:

  1. Complacency: The downfall of successful teams often occurs when they become complacent. Businesses should avoid resting on their laurels and continuously strive for improvement.

  2. Injury or Key Personnel Issues: Businesses need contingency

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Stunning??? Do we have this much???

 “If our cognitive skills are what separate us from animals, our character skills are what elevate us above machines.”

"Hidden Potential" (Youtube video) 
Adam Grant
So I worked a list on both!! Stunned to see the list! Do we even realise that we are so good at possessing this ??????

Regards
Karthik.


Cognitive skills play a significant role in human success across various aspects of life. These skills encompass a wide range of mental abilities that contribute to problem-solving, learning, decision-making, and overall effectiveness. Here's a list of cognitive skills that are crucial for human success:
  1. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and make reasoned judgments.
  2. Problem Solving: Finding effective solutions to complex or everyday problems.
  3. Decision Making: Making choices based on available information and considering the consequences.
  4. Creativity: Thinking innovatively, generating new ideas, and approaching challenges from unconventional angles.
  5. Learning: The capacity to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills.
  6. Memory: The ability to store, retrieve, and use information effectively.
  7. Attention and Concentration: Maintaining focus on tasks and avoiding distractions.
  8. Logical Reasoning: Using logic to draw conclusions and make inferences.
  9. Analytical Skills: Breaking down complex information into manageable components for better understanding.
  10. Communication: Expressing thoughts and ideas clearly and listening effectively.
  11. Numeracy: Competence in mathematical concepts and operations.
  12. Language Skills: Proficiency in one or more languages for effective communication.
  13. Information Processing: Managing and making sense of large volumes of data and information.
  14. Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and managing one's emotions and understanding others' emotions for effective interpersonal interactions.
  15. Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new situations and changing circumstances.
  16. Time Management: Efficiently allocating time and resources to tasks and priorities.
  17. Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy and precision in work and tasks.
  18. Spatial Reasoning: Understanding and manipulating spatial relationships, critical in fields like design and engineering.
  19. Systems Thinking: Grasping the interconnectedness of elements in complex systems.
  20. Pattern Recognition: Identifying recurring patterns or trends in data.
  21. Metacognition: Reflecting on one's own thought processes and strategies for learning and problem-solving.
  22. Executive Function: A group of cognitive skills that include planning, organization, and impulse control.
  23. Information Literacy: The ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively from various sources.
  24. Innovation: Applying creative thinking to develop novel solutions and ideas.
  25. Cognitive Flexibility: The capacity to adapt and switch between different mental tasks or problem-solving approaches.
These cognitive skills are interconnected and often work together to support human success in personal, academic, and professional endeavors. Developing and honing these skills can significantly enhance one's ability to navigate and excel in various aspects of life.
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Developing Character Skills like proactivity, discipline, and determination is important for personal and professional growth. Here's a list of some essential character skills and some tips on how to imbibe them:

Proactivity: Being proactive means taking initiative and responsibility for your actions.
    To imbibe proactivity, set clear goals, prioritize tasks, and take the lead     in making things happen. Avoid procrastination and seek opportunities     to be proactive in your daily life.

Discipline: Discipline involves self-control, consistency, and the ability to stick to a plan.
    To develop discipline, create a structured routine, set realistic targets,     and hold yourself accountable for your actions. Practice self-control by     avoiding distractions and temptations that hinder your progress.

Determination: Determination is the drive to achieve your goals, even in the face of challenges.
    To foster determination, set specific and challenging goals, break them     into smaller, manageable steps, and stay focused on the end result.         Cultivate a resilient mindset and learn from setbacks.

Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and remain strong in difficult situations.
    To build resilience, embrace failures as learning opportunities, practice     self-compassion, and develop problem-solving skills. Surround yourself     with a support system that can help you during tough times.

Adaptability: Adaptability is the capacity to adjust to change and new circumstances.
    To enhance adaptability, be open to new ideas, seek diverse     experiences, and embrace change as an opportunity for growth. Develop     a flexible mindset that can handle unexpected situations.

Empathy: Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
    To cultivate empathy, actively listen to others, practice kindness and     compassion, and put yourself in someone else's shoes. Engage in     meaningful conversations that help you understand different perspectives.

Integrity: Integrity involves honesty, ethics, and maintaining strong moral principles.
    To uphold integrity, always be truthful and transparent in your actions,     make ethical decisions, and stand by your values even in challenging     situations.

Communication: Effective communication is vital for building strong relationships.
    To improve communication skills, practice active listening, express     yourself clearly and confidently, and work on both verbal and non-verbal     communication.

Teamwork: Teamwork is the ability to collaborate with others and work toward common goals.
    To excel in teamwork, respect diverse opinions, contribute your     strengths to the team, and foster a sense of unity and cooperation.

Self-Motivation: Self-motivation is the drive that comes from within to achieve your goals.
    To boost self-motivation, find your intrinsic sources of inspiration, set         meaningful objectives, and remind yourself of the reasons why you         want to succeed.
    
Remember that developing these skills is an ongoing process. It's essential to assess your progress regularly, seek feedback from others, and continuously work on strengthening these character skills. If you need more specific advice on any of these skills or resources for improvement, feel free to ask.
Karthik
28th Oct 23


Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Airline Information!

 I am reading a Safety book which talks about 900,000 aircraft landings in which there was one faulty landing. That prompted me to mull the following aspects of the Airline Industry!? 


Bangalore T2. 


A 380 landing at T2 (Inagural landing). 

1) There are 100,000 landings all over the world Daily, leading to 37 Million landings in a year. (Commercial airlines).

2) Assuming each airline landing is on average 2000 Miles, the total miles that Airline travel in a year is 43 Billion miles.

3) There are approximately 5,170 commercial airports in the world as of 2023. The top 10 countries with the most commercial airports are:

  • United States (503)
  • China (471)
  • Brazil (409)
  • India (346)
  • Russia (309)
  • Mexico (284)
  • Canada (208)
  • Indonesia (184)
  • Germany (156)
  • Japan (155)

4) There are approximately 4.6 billion passengers traveling through all airports annually as of 2023. This data is based on information from the Airports Council International (ACI), which is the global trade association for airports.


The number of passengers traveling through airports has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, and is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. This is due to a number of factors, including globalization, economic growth, and the increasing popularity of air travel.


5) The top 10 busiest airports in the world in 2022 were:

  1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  2. Dubai International Airport (DXB)
  3. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
  4. London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
  5. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  6. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
  7. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  8. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
  9. Schiphol Airport (AMS)
  10. Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

These airports together handled over 1.8 billion passengers in 2022.

6) While 4.8 Billion people appear to be 70% of the world population of 7 Billion, it is only about 10% of people (700 million people from 4.8 Billion total, who undertake repeat travel!). 




Interesting statistics.

Karthik. 18/10/23



Monday, October 16, 2023

World Cup Rugby,!! Semi finalists!

 I am back to Normal health this week, boy 40 days with 8 days in hospital.... It was tough time. Glad things worked out well!! Thanks to every one for their prayers, well wishes, communications. I plan to resume regular travel from November 1st week. 

The Rugby world cup is stunning event. New Zealand lost to France on opening day..! England were trailing Argentina, then came back to win. Portugal won over Fiji was stunner with 100-1 odd.., but that didn't help Aussies go thro. 




I expected FRA, WAL, IRE, ENG in Semi-Final. As the saying goes, never assume things in sport, FRA, WAL, IRE were eliminated by South Afria, Argentina, and New Zealand. Only England won. It would be ENG vs SA (Last World cup final replay) and New Zealand vs ARG. This makes sure one Southern Hemisphere team would be in final.!! 

Looking forward to it... It was an exciting time of 40 matches. I watched Highlights first thing at Morning 430am. 

From hereon, it is anybody's game. May the best team WIN.

Karthik.

16th Oct 2023.

PS: I am told the Cricket World cup is happening...! Who cares? It is a junk sport now a days! 

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Health Update

I have been down with Respiratory Health issues since 4th September. It appears a long journey to recovery and normalcy. I have canceled all travel and all other schedules.

I expect, I will be away from Blogging, etc. until October 10th or so.

Keep me in your Prayers.

Karthik. 

Friday, September 08, 2023

The World Cup begins Today!

 The event begins today. I am referring to the Rugby World Cup 2023 which begins in France today and will go on for 50 days with the final on October 29th. South Africa are the current champions, (Boy, Fauf De Klerk what a live wire he was in assisting in stacking up points for South Africa in thumping England 32-12 in Japan in 2019). Tonight, Host #FRA takes on All Blacks #NZ. 20 Nations compete for the cup.

2.48038586.webpFaf (Left blonde) with Sia Kolesi, the first black captain ever to win the Rugby World Cup. 

I have always been interested in Rugby since following it on Saturday Sports special on BBC World Service radio in 1970s and 1980s. My boss is a Rugby fan, ( He is now in France to watch the initial games to support his home country England!) I began to watch games like the 6 nations cup and took deeper interest in having bar conversations. 

My favorite World Cup moments. 

2003 World Cup Final Jonny Wilkinson Drop Goal to seal the title for England minutes away from the Aussies. LINK This was one of Where were you when Jonny's drop goal happened at a moment in sports history.....

2015 World Cup Final, Dan Carter's fabulous impulsive kick to seal the All Blacks (NZ) Win over the Aussies. LINK

For the first time in history, All blacks are ranked #4 their lowest rating. This time it is anybody's cup to win. 

As promised before, I vow again not to watch a single ball of the cricket world Cup for which arrangements are getting messy and clumsy as expected for an event in India. 

Regards
Karthik. 



Thursday, September 07, 2023

Our Body- Amazingly surprising stuff!!

 I am down with Acute Bronchitis and undergoing intense treatment with Antibiotics and interventions. So many tests, scans, etc. over the past 96 hours. My doctor is good, I trust her a lot! That also helps! 

The surprising thing was this landed on me without any symptoms of cough, cold, fever, running nose, soar throat, sputum etc. Yes, I was away on personal travel to Cochin, for 2 days (Sat-Sun to note and be alert to symptoms) away from Bangalore, even then there was no indication that it was coming!! But when it hit everything happened within 8 hrs (11pm to 7am Monday) leading me to rush to my family physician (Internal Medicine) who surprised me further saying 8 hrs is a lot of time for things to go downhill even for these issues!! Shows how vulnerable we are.!!! (My guess was that getting drenched indirectly in Bombay rains might have been the reason, besides travel to a few locations every week with routine habits disturbed!) 

The second surprise that awaited me was that the X-ray showed a bulk of mucus pushing and causing strain some nerves in the bronchial region leading to the left shoulder, which caused(ing) excruciating, unbearable pain that made me cry out uncontrollably with Lalitha watching me helplessly. (No pain killer, spray relieved it! It was like hitting with a sledgehammer with every intake of breath causing it). The only positive thing in my crying was the first time it brought out some mucus to blow away,  through nasal passage ahhahahhah!.... 

The doctor indicated unless the mucus dissolves away, no help in sight!! (I am doing a little better, since, but can't turn and sleep on my left side!)... Mucus weighing milligrams on the nerve that runs 10s of feet causing pain that has no solutions, shows another classic feature of the body that is vulnerable.!!

We are very very vulnerable! Do we even realize it? I wonder??? I am beginning to feel better. Hopefully, my follow-up visit Friday or so, will help to close the thing.

I am taking off all week. OH, yes ever since medication, I am sleeping 18-19 hrs a day, may be making up for all the lost sleep! First time in 48 hrs thoughts other than disease, or illness have come into my brain shows how much the brain hijacks things- a Third surprise!.. I slept peacefully today from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm dreamless, thoughtless!..! I expect the night to be better! 

Karthik.

Nebulizer that is giving me company now!! hhhahaha! (Adding to bp monitor, glucometer, Thermometer in the kit!!)
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