Corporate (Cricket) Battle Field: My Gratitude

Most of my colleagues keep asking me as why do I always quote examples from cricket! Off course, the language of cricket does not need any further explanation but for me, it comes naturally because of my sheer passion for this amazing sport and the guidance it provides to navigate through the challenges I come across in my professional life even after playing this game more than 2 decades back.

Cricket is not just a game for many, it’s their life. They breathe and bleed cricket. I am not sure why, but somehow I inevitably develop a respect & love for all those who play this game so passionately. 

I can definitely link this affection to my gratitude to cricket. From outside, Cricket may not look as a contributor to my life at all keeping in mind the profession I am into, but when I look back in reflection & find out how the learning from this game has helped shaping up my career and is still doing it- I feel only cricket has brought me this far.

Nobody can teach the Team work better than the game itself. Effective collaboration between players and support staffs can be highlight of any successful team. The bonding is not only seen on the ground but even off the ground.

The ability to stay calm is one of the most important virtues of great cricketers, especially captains and Mahi did prove it at number of occasions that calmness at crucial junctures not only helps the self-performance but also ensures that rest of the team remain focused and continue to believe in themselves. Managing pressure without losing our composure is the key to long-term success both in corporate and cricket life.

Strategizing helps guide professionals towards success by setting long-term goals and ensuring these goals are met. In cricket, strategizing (one may call it tactical) becomes essential as crucial decisions need to be taken starting from toss to batting order, bowling changes and field placements. The right decisions at the right times turn out to be game-changer for most teams.

Today’s corporate world is no more a single task specialist job. Corporates today need to vastly expand their skill-sets to move up the ladder and succeed through multitasking in a fast-paced and changing economic environment. In cricket, it is no longer enough to be good in just one format – T20, one-days or test matches. Teams need to develop the ability to perform well across formats. Players like Virat has become so critical for team India success because of their ability to adapt to the changing environment of the format every time they take up the field.

Corporate life is demanding and one needs to be on its toes all the time. There is no time to relax,  no space for complacency, very similar to cricket where things may change any moment. All cricketers firmly believe that the game is not lost unless the last ball is bowled.

Humbleness is the biggest lesson the sports teach- superstars carrying drinks or towels, fielding as a substitute and spreading smiles all around can be learnt from this amazing game of cricket only.

Failures and setbacks may not find space in the corporate history books but they do exist outnumbering the successes. Cricketers know that “falling” is part of the game but “not rising again” is their choice. Learning and moving forward hold the key. It is inevitable that every time things may not go as planned. However, these are opportunities to learn and rebuild from setbacks.

The game of cricket is a reflection of self-belief, hard work and tenacity that players put into every outing. Lessons from cricket serve as a road map which can help corporates pursue their ultimate goals. The spirit of the game transcends the boundaries of business and serves as a reminder of how much more each one of us can achieve in an ethical way!