Lalit Modi is a phenomenal example of negative application of hardwork, persistence and perseverance devoid of values and ethics, enabling one to achieve quick but unsustainable results in life. The actions that one believed as opaque and impenetrable , transforming miserably over time as transparent and thin as a bubble that burst right on the face, of which the power of explosion strips one naked and chase to find a place to hide, leaving the glory of achievements in the obscurity of the shadow of miseries that he himself crafted unknowingly while designing the patterns of his success!”I have always watched Lalit Modi with double mind; one that of inspiration for how he singlehandedly scripted and directed the story of IPL and pulled it up to transform as a global brand, with the backing of all the heavyweights of business and cricket rallying behind it, for him; the other, that of absolute hate for the arrogance he displayed in his body language as he moved around during these period, and the several stories I keep hearing of his autocratic leadership style.
He kept his head high; head high, we must have, proud of our achievements; yet, we must not let that height obscure our sight of people around us and the respect for them, for, the position you hold is not eternal, but the respect you earn would company you beyond the period you spend in the office at the corner. I remember the advice one of my former boss Mr Phil Stephenson gave us in his farewell note; it was a quote: "Never tread on anyone's toes when you are on the way up, as they might be attached to the foot of the person who walks all over you when you are on the way down!"
There was an arrogance in his body language as I saw him address the media. There was an overbearing pride in his careless choice of words and responses, and the over-inflated power of authority in his voice. He walked with a spring on his feet; the Ambani’s and Mittals and Goyenkas and Tatas has seen and achieved more than what he has and yet there remains a humility, care and concern in the words and appearance of those people; when I listen to them, I hear in their voice a sound of caution that reminds them of the failure to come in the glory of achievements and therefore the need of humility and a measured exhibition of their joy or power, whereas, Lalit Modi elated himself to the level synonymous to ‘God of Cricket’ with his influential connections running world around, and forgot that days are followed by nights, and summer is just one season and there are other seasons to follow.
Hardwork is imminent to be successful. Perseverance when faced with obstacles is a quality that one would envy, very few are blessed with, and many pray for. Lalit Modi had all these qualities. But these qualities are like a gem on the nose of a pig, for its value is lost as it rubs its nose in the dirt of the streets. Humility is a lesson Lalit Modi seem to have never learned. While he could have been the poster-boy for the youngsters to learn from, if his achievements are anything to go by, because it is devoid of values and ethics, it would never be a story I would share with my children.
Shahir
14 October 2010
