If not a cricketer, would have been a builder!

Sourav Ganguly @Natcon 2022

Be it a cricketer or a builder, one should learn to handle pressure. One can achieve targets, only when they stand bravely and endure the pressure. We will succeed in business. Staying in the comfort zone will never bring the desired results. We keep moving forward on the right path, only if there is pressure. Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly said one should always consider pressure and stress positively as a challenge, but not as a negative factor. Participating in the CREDAI NatCon 2022 being held in Abu Dhabi, the former skipper shared many interesting things to inspire the Indian builder. Excerpts from his speech:

“Developers must keep competing in the market consistently. Everyone tries to get good deals and strive to earn good brand value. The company expects to get better results. To withstand the increased pressure, one should be active and aggressive. As a cricket player and former captain of Indian cricket team, I adapted the mindset to perform under pressure. I learnt to hit the ball as fast as bowlers like McGrath, Shoaib and Brett Lee, bowl at me. Hence, I was able to render memorable services to the Indian cricket team which will last forever. Similarly in our life, many people trouble us and try to create obstacles for our development. To overcome them and move forward, we should have a clear vision.

There would be hard times when flats are not sold, the market conditions are not favourable and even worst things like Covid-19 pandemic occur. But one should not forget that if you don’t perform under such pressure, others will surpass you. Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances, you can succeed only when your turn them into an opportunity. We gain confidence only when we confront pressure. In such cases, we should understand that not only skills, but controlling our mind is equally important. Stress or pressure makes us smarter. Face it once and it will never come back to us again.

No work is small. One should take advantage of every opportunity. For instance, soon after reaching the office, we are reminded that we have to sell 350 flats and the market conditions are not favourable. But our best comes out only when we sell these flats in such adverse circumstances. It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. All that matters is how many times you get up and fight after getting knocked down. One should get up every day and go to work.

My way or the highway?

A leader always wants things to be executed as per his/her plans to achieve the desired results. However, he/she should learn to encourage the talent of those working under him/her. A favourable atmosphere should be created at the work place where they can freely express their opinions, hone their skills, and strive to achieve the results. The leader should not try to control them and trust should be established with them. The attitude of “My way or highway” should be abandoned and unnecessary fears in them should be removed.

If the team members are not given an opportunity to showcase their skills, better results may not be achieved. With the better batting line-up in the Indian team, Sehwag did not get much chance to bat in the beginning. When I encouraged him to go as the opening batsman, he asked if I was trying to ruin his career. But I had faith in his talent and asked him to give it a try. I told him that if he fails, he can bat again at the lower level. And when he went as the opener, the rest was a history. Therefore, leaders should recognise the talent of their members. They should be encouraged in the right direction. Only then, miracles are possible.

Once a leader takes a decision, he/she must stick to it. Don’t ever sit around thinking that a decision made five years ago, was wrong now. Such decision could be suitable to those times and might not work now. Hence, we should focus on what should be done next to achieve the desired results. Besides, it is not right to worry about old decisions now. I am very happy to be invited to the NatCon 2022 and spend this time with you.

If not a cricketer

Ganguly replied to a builder’s question that if he had not become a cricketer, his family would have asked him to join the construction industry. He joked that he too would have become a developer and built buildings along with them.