A suavely designed smartphone may attract your eyes. While you crave for it and feel your fingers smoothly glide through the elegant device, how much are you tempted to open up the gadget and see the inside? Steve Jobs, however, ensured the interior was as chic as the outside. He said being the wealthiest man in the cemetery didn’t matter to him; going to bed at night saying, ‘I did something wonderful today’ was more important. The quality conscious leader focuses on the details- he values himself and others as well.
Attention in relationships
In relationships, if you respect the other person, you’d consider the specifics- it shows you care.
Lord Chaitanya- the sixteenth-century incarnation of God, who appeared in Eastern India, took care of his followers’ well-being, in minute details. While receiving them at the coastal town of Puri, the Lord personally garlanded the devotees and appreciated each one of them.
Raghav Pandit and his sister Damayanti were experts in the art of service. Five hundred years ago, they packed food for devotees traveling the distance from Bengal to Puri- however, they did it differently. When we monks go on a pilgrimage, now, in the twenty-first century, we cook a few select items for everyone and serve en masse to all during the travel. But the duo five centuries ago knew what the favorite dish of each of the members of the travel party was, and they cooked and packed a personalized lunch for each member. Besides, they also arranged dishes that complemented the other items on the menu. For example, if the vegetable preparation were little spicy, they would add a sweet or a digestive pill made from natural herbs, that would neutralize the effect of the spice.
The danger of cutting corners
Why Roald Amundsen succeeded while Robert Scott perished during the legendary Antarctica expedition of the early twentieth century? Both raced with their teams, to achieve the coveted position of the first human to touch the South Pole. While Scott’s haphazard and flawed planning led to a tragic end of the team, Amundsen’s meticulous preparation, with efficient equipment, correct clothing- all minor details taken care of, ensured his success. Ski boots, dog sleds, wine, meat, chocolates- and everything else, to survive in minus fifty-eight degree Celsius temperature, was accounted for in Amundsen’s team.
To be continued…
