Five life lessons

He is 58 years old, bespectacled with distinguished silver grey hair.
He's spent 25 years working for one of India's most respected
corporate houses. I have learnt a lot from him. But it is unlikely you
would have ever heard of him. His name is Karunan. And he worked with
me as my driver.
Sometimes, the biggest lessons in life come from very unlikely
sources. And as Karunan spoke to me one morning about his life and
times, I thought young people would benefit from listening to what he
has to say. Since Karunan will probably never be invited to deliver a
convocation speech or a commencement.


1. Getting a driving license does not make you a driver.
"I was 18 when I got my license. But it was only after several months
of driving a car that I actually learnt to drive, and became a real
driver." A license is only a permit -- and not a stamp of authority.
An MBA does not make you a manager. It is only after you spend several
more years learning on the job that you truly qualify to call yourself
a manager.
Many young people confuse getting a degree as signifying the end of
their learning. Wrong. It's just the beginning. A degree or a diploma
-- the licence -- simply marks you out as someone qualified to learn
from real life experiences. It doesn't make you an expert.



2. The real world is very different from a classroom
I learnt to drive a car. But my first job required me to drive a
little tempo. The steering wheel was different, and so were the gears.
I thought I knew how to drive -- but I couldn't even get the tempo
started."
The world outside the classroom is a very different place. That's as
true for engineers and MBAs and accountants as it is for drivers. Get
ready to get surprised.



3. Slog. Get your hands dirty.
I spent nights working as a cleaner. That's when I learnt all about
the insides of an automobile. Knowing what's under the bonnet has made
me a better driver today."
The brightest marketing professionals in the country will tell you
that they learnt their biggest lessons in the days they spent slogging
in small towns selling soaps or colas. There's no other way. If you
want to be successful, work hard, dirty your hands -- and go beyond
your specific role.



4. Initially, what you learn is more important than what you earn.


In my first job, the pay was bad but the boss was good. He gave me
opportunities to learn, make mistakes. I banged his tempo quite a bit.
While the dents were quickly repaired, the lessons I learnt remain
firmly etched in my mind."
In your first job -- don't worry about pay packet or the size of the
organization. Get a good boss. A good mentor. That's priceless.



5. Don't worry about which car you drive. Focus on being a good driver
I always wanted to drive the best cars -- but rather than complain
about having to drive a tempo or a school van or the city transport
bus, I focused on driving well. I told myself that if I do that, the
good cars will come. And they did."
Now that's a great lesson. It's not about the company. It's about you.
Do the best with what you have, wherever you are. Karunan spent 15
years struggling in odd jobs before landing a driver's job in one of
India's largest companies. We could all benefit by staying focused on
doing a great job -- rather than worrying about the next job, or the
next promotion. Do a good job. Success and happiness will follow.
Inevitably.
Those then are five fabulous life lessons from an unlikely guru.
Follow Karunan's advice and I guarantee they'll make a difference to
your career. And to your life! (Prakash Iyer)