Friday, July 4, 2014

Transitions and Anchors


The last 8 weeks have been surreal, a blur.  From running all of SAP's products to being appointed the next CEO of Infosys, I've been through two extraordinary transitions within a period of time that feels like an instant.  And at the same time, these two transitions happened amid the backdrop of much bigger transitions, and transformations, that organizations go through, from companies to countries.  Transformations they must go through, to survive, to continue to be relevant, when the circumstances and contexts around them change dramatically.  Companies around the world, including mine, are going through these transitions, driven to a large extent by software and computing technology.  And as I write this over the fourth of July weekend here in the US, my country of citizenship, I join more than 300 million citizens in taking the time to celebrate independence and big transformative ideas, such as individual freedom, democracy and a constitution to guide a nation.  And at the same time, my maternal homeland India has just seen a great transition of its own, and more than a billion citizens find themselves hopeful and looking ahead to a great transformation under a new transformative leadership.  So I've found myself reflecting on both my own transitions and those of large organizations, and thought this summer weekend is a good time to write some of these thoughts down.

I was at SAP for 12 years.  More than a quarter of my life.  And we did a lot.  It was a great ride, a great wave.  After the news of my resignation and my sudden departure from SAP came out, there was at first the shock of the abruptness with which all this happened.  But such is the nature of waves.  A great  ride one moment and gone the next.  This was followed by an incredible outpouring of support from thousands of friends and colleagues, more than four thousand of them, deeply heartfelt emotions, and show of support, that made this transition so memorable and the 12 year journey so worthwhile.  It reminded me that we are defined not only by the work we do, but also by the deep and lasting relationships that we build during our journeys.

Among the tons of calls that I received in the aftermath of the news, there was one that was going to be very significant in shaping, in bringing about, another transition, both in my life and in that of a large company's.  This was from a recruiter leading the CEO search for Infosys, a pioneering Indian IT company. Within a couple of weeks I found myself  being swept by another massive wave.  The iconic nature of Infosys, especially in India, made it impossible to delay the decision any longer, and I was announced as the next CEO of Infosys on June 12, scarcely 6 weeks after leaving SAP.  As I write this, I am looking forward to taking the leadership responsibility on Aug 1, and looking forward to a great transition that must follow my little transition.  A great transition and its set of challenges and opportunities, that await my new company, as well as every company in our industry, and indeed as software reshapes the world around us, every company in the world.

Transitions at large companies are in many ways similar to personal ones.  Perhaps this is not surprising.  Doug Engelbart had compared organizations to organisms.  Companies, after all, are us.  No more, and no less, than us, the people within them.  So a transformation of a company, is really about the transformation of the people within, and around it, transformation of the contexts we form, the processes we have, and of the things we do.  So when I see the debate underway among Harvard professors about the Innovator's Dilemma, and when I look back on what we achieved at SAP, my fundamental conclusion is that there is no innovator's dilemma. There is only a desire, a willingness, a courage, to change.  To learn.  To understand new ways of working and being relevant.  The idea that there is some kind of a rule blocking an organization's ability to deal with disruption, makes no sense to me.  That these disruptors came and disrupted us and there was nothing we could do about it, is simply nonsense.  Disruption is not an excuse, a fait accompli, it is simply an opportunity to learn new skills and to develop new products and services, and processes and economics.  An opportunity to renew ourselves and our organizations.  And it comes down to having anchors that help us guide through such a change.  Anchors in these cases tend to be the deeply rooted principles, experiences, values and ideas/visions that companies are built upon.  Competencies and processes follow from these, and then the products and services delivered, and the relationships, the economics, etc. emerge.  But the grounding, the anchors, determine how the organization transitions.

Many people have asked me about how I dealt with such a large transition so quickly? I reflected on it, and realized that we too have our personal anchors that help manage these.  Our perceptions are relative.  In that, our ability to understand reality is based on observing and measuring change.  From our sight to our hearing, and even in deep silence, when our senses are asleep, our measures are all relative.  And so it is that we seek our solace in our anchors.  We measure how far we've drifted, or how far others have drifted from us, with reference to our anchors.  And I found myself in the comfort of my own anchors.  From my alma mater, to true friends who shared a deep sense of personal connection and roots and expressed their concern and pain and brought support.  Some long-time teachers whose wisdom, and clarity, was very welcome, to some newly acquired relationships, guardians of principle and regulation, who became friends and whose strength carried us forward.  To family who showed that blood is thicker than water, and to the spirituality that one finds solace in, within and without.  And then there is my wife, my V.  My companion, my compass, my anchor.  Her singular support, strength, dedication, selflessness and passion, have reminded me of what unquestioned support is all about, what love means and makes us do.  I can best evoke what John Nash said in his Nobel prize winning speech in 1994:
"...And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found.
I’m only here tonight because of you.
You are the reason I am.
You are all my reasons.
Thank you."
Thank you V.

We often hear that with the right values within us and the right support beside us, we can deal with any transition.  But when we think about it, we realize that with these two elements guiding us, transitions don't even matter.  And perhaps that is the constancy that we seek, amid the chaos and the noise and the change.  The constancy of the stillness and purpose that is within us, the constancy of the love, support & strength that we derive from the relationships right next to us.  Great transitions happen because of the purposeful work done by everyone in an organization.  And purposeful work comes from unwavering purpose within us, and from the strength of the purposeful relationships all around us.  As we celebrate our independence, we, both as organisms, as well as the organizations that we form, owe our deepest gratitude to our anchor points.  The relationships, the lessons and the principles, that have kept us from going adrift, and provided us with the direction, the purpose, in our journeys...

-- Vishal Sikka

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow..very well said! I wished I got a chance to meet you and know you. My company has made a large investment in to Hana (I.e. Your little girl) and one of the reason I felt so confident was because of the intellectual capital you brought to the table. I am not sure anymore. I do wish our paths cross.

-Amish Patel

Anonymous said...

Hi Vishal,

My name is Abhishek, I live in Boston and work for a biotech company. When Infosys launched its IPO in early 80's my dad had bought few shares. Over the years as Infosys grew and the valuation increased it became part of my family and a great source of learning. I remember listening to Infosys earning calls, annual shareholder meetings and reading the annual reports. It showed us how education when applied can help in large scale job creation and nation building.

Over the years, money from the sale of Infosys shares helped in my sister's wedding, paying for my dad's business, and sponsoring my first semester at University of Massachusetts. After completion of my education in 2007 summer, I called my parents to Boston for vacation. During our tour of Harvard, me and my family got the best gift ever. We saw Narayan Murthy with his son Rohan walking. Me and my parents just shook his hand and said thank you. As they walked away, I thought what an impact Infosys has made to my family and especially me. By building Infosys, Narayan Murthy and other founders not only gave their children better life but also gave an opportunity to many kids like me to come to US and study higher.

Today Infosys is still major part of my dad's portfolio and the dividend is his retirement pension. My dad's long term investment in Infosys taught me how to invest long term in good companies and being patient.

Me and my family would like to wish best of luck to you and your family and thank you for all the contributions you would make in future.

Abhishek

Anonymous said...

Sorry.. One correction Infosys IPO was in early 90s and not 80s.

Vishwa said...

Hi Vishal

“Companies around the world, including mine, are going through these transitions”,
Yes , Yes very much True ,
But the Rate at which , the transitions are getting Changed , is matter of concern
Everything because of Human Mindset Changing so drastically.
Where we are heading Towards ? In the name of change : )

Regards
Vishwanath shastri

Vivek Pai Kochikar said...

A key test of an organisation’s willingness to change is its proactivity - whether it is capable of embracing change before that change gets forced on it by business realities. This is particularly so when that change is of such a magnitude as to threaten the company’s core business. And most organisations score poorly on this test - they're good at doing what's worked in the past, but they recoil from adopting anything that may cut into their revenues. SAP may be a counter-example as it has shown proactivity in creating HANA, but it's an exception - not the norm !

Unknown said...

Hi Vishal,
Your voice reflects the true spirit of an innovator,who is willing to learn, change and lead with the heart. I am forever thankful to you for the years I have spent with you, and more so, what I have learnt for you.
Regards,
- Andy

Yaoi Friends Admin said...

Kingsoft Office/Famous Video Convertor/Power DVD/Cyberlink Photo Director all these program are FREE and Original License Visit The Giveaway Blog!! Now ~ http://thousandgiveaway.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Vishal Congrats on maintaining your inner soul as you mold the soul of tech giants to underscore "value addition to quality of life improvements" as the core of any intellectual and creative endeavor!

Email me when you can so we can catch up.

Mustafa Syed
syed@alumni.stanford.edu

Unknown said...

When it comes to profitability of business, recording the voice too becomes most vital. There are several types of voice logging system which will help you to get best results. You can use voice recorder software for some future references and voice logger software to get feedbacks from customers while you are not over phone to receive such calls. Here call logger software will help you a lot.

Anonymous said...

Why is it difficult to reach Infosys with new ideas. This also seems to be the message from Infoscions. Infosys has become a bureaucracy, I hope you can change that.

Ravi Shamihoke

chlorophyll said...

Hi Vishal,
Good one. I left Infosys with a sense of hopelessness 3-4 months back and joined a rival IT firm after 13 years of pretty association. Now with you joining , am very keen to be part of your mission and come back. Not sure whether you are open to take a senior delivery leader back. It's like once an Infoscion, always an Infosion feeling. Good luck in your endeavour.

ipstack said...

Dear Vishal

hi from Ali
nice blog with nice blogging

Iam not a blogger but the SAP HANA directed to you and your blogging which sounded interesting so taught of dropping few lines please excuse my Language

your conviction, your imagination and your knowledge! very true most of the companies around the world are transitioning and transforming with the GY(younger generation) taking over the corporates and the change factor is what a lot of people don't accept easily as well said its all about PEOPLE who work for the organization by giving there Golden years of lives to the companies and when the GY are onboard they almost forget the Core Ingredient which is People and don't value much

with hope
Best of luck on the new task
Ali - Dubai

Unknown said...

It was really a nice article and i was really impressed by reading this article We are also giving all software Course Online Training.The Sap HANA Online Training is one of the leading Online Training institute in the world.

Unknown said...

Hi,
This article data was thus nice. that is incredibly abundant helpful on behalf of me and affected by reading. our site is incredibly hip to full to SAP HANA Learners. we have a tendency to area unit providing the simplest SAP HANA on-line coaching with full-fledged IT college. sap hana online training

Unknown said...

It was very nice article and it is very useful to SAP learners.We also provide Cub training software online training.

Unknown said...

Wow amazing blog you shared with us.
Modelling Agencies in Mumbai || Modelling Agencies in Pune || Modelling Agencies in Kolkata || Female Models in Mumbai

Aruna Ram said...

Wow!!! Nice post, this is good approach and very good effort. Thanks for your best and i want addition information from your blog.
IELTS Coaching in Chennai
IELTS Coaching Centre in Chennai
Spoken English Classes in Chennai
Ethical Hacking Course in Chennai
IELTS coaching in OMR
IELTS coaching in Tambaram

NIKE said...

Make sure that all of your windows and doors play bazaar satta king have mesh screens. Make sure that all the screens are in securely and are repaired if necessary. Be sure to use a fine mesh for screens as this is a larger deterrent for pests. Check your door and window seals as well for any points of entry.play bazaar satta king

Taylor Bara said...

Here custom-my-paper.com you can learn more about transition words and anchors that should be used in an academic paper.

Jacob said...

Delta Airlines Reservations
United Airlines Reservations
Delta Airlines Reservations
American Airlines Reservations
United Airlines Reservations
Southwest Airlines Reservations
Delta Airlines Reservations Phone Number
United Airlines Reservations Phone Number
Delta Airlines Flights
Delta Flight Booking
Book cheapest price all flight tickets booking with exciting deals. Compare the price and deals. Save Up to 80% Toll Free Number 1800 693 6575

exportimportacademy said...

I appreciate this piece of useful information. Kshemkari Export Import academy one of the best leading Trade and Training Institute for import and export business, provides the best service in India with expert TeamFor more information visit our site: Export Import Certificate Training

Brijya said...

Thank you so much for this informative blog sharing with us. Visit Brijya for Laddu Gopal Dress

mohanan said...

I was impressed by your writing. I would love to hear about your needs and complete a painting for you. Visit Us! to Know about Fine Art .

mohanan said...

You got a very wonderful website. The best Reading intervention for learning and think creatively, study online .Helping Struggling Students Become Successful.

Nisha nehwal said...

Today I have got to see a post that is very beautiful, such a post is very rarely seen, only a person with a beautiful idea can write such a beautiful post, it is not possible for every person to write such a post.
escorts service in sector 40
call girls in gurugram
Colorful call girls
gurugram escorts
Gurugram Call Girl Service
Call Girls in Sector 58
Escort Service 59
Monito every escorts
Love
sector 41 escorts

Zonahobisaya said...

Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya
Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya
Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya
Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya
Gutt Websäit : Biografi
Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya
Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya
Gutt Websäit : Zonahobisaya