The surprising source for myWork Ethics

How my parents have inspired and moulded me with their actions

The school that we still learn from, Everyday.

This article took me down memory lane to understand where I have taken some of my everyday behaviour at work and in life from.

• My dad is known for his strong integrity. He wouldn’t accept a bribe or any favour even if he would lose his job for not doing so.

I remember an incident where a loan provided went bad. The borrower defaulted and the blame came on my dad, although it was his colleague and superior who had overridden my dad’s ‘No’ recommendation. Dad abstained from any blame game and silently bore the punishment meted out. In due course, that was retracted once the investigation revealed the truth!

• Both parents are what you can tell as ‘Karm Yogis’. Individuals for whom right work done well is itself a form of prayer. (Karm=action)

An excerpt from a speaking tree blog:

As per Lord Krishnas teachings in Bhagavad Gita , Karma Yogi is that person who does good to the whole world, loves the whole world and all its beings selflessly . Further he added that Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga (love for God and to the spiritualMaster ) and Jnana Yoga (self-reflection and meditation) are the complete ways of love. But most important for the world is the yoga of action, of doing good ie the karma yoga

Karma Yogi follows the path of righteousness , of following ones’ personal Dharma and accepting destiny as it comes. If the Karma Yogi is a householder, he will accept that role as much as he would accept the role of a meagre servant to the needy without seeking any favor or charges in the form of wealth, name or fame.

• A high level of discipline — there is no laziness and fooling around. Days begin early, are packed with duties, prayers and mandatory time with family. Fasts are observed judiciously as is every religious event.
• A ‘we have enough’ attitude towards money — never in the rat race to amass more wealth, yet making sure that every little wish of ours is fulfilled.
• A high level of altruism and philanthropic pursuits — anyone in help is never turned away.
• Any event in family & friend circle — be it a marriage, a house warming,child birth, funerals or even a surprise overseas visit is duly attended! The level of identification they have with others is awesome.

I used to sometimes think that such a high level of discipline is unnecessary. But then I realised, paradoxically, it is the the discipline that creates true freedom!

Now, how have the kids (3 brothers) turned out?

• We are all known for being dependable and trustworthy. We are entrusted with bigger tasks and responsibilities at work everyday, helping us grow faster
• We are all early risers and pursue multiple things from the word go — fitness, music, reading, devotion and household duties
• We all help out our spouses at home, effectively sharing the household work and taking care of the kids
• Our rise at our workplaces has only been on the basis of merit. No sycophancy, no influences. Where we have received superiors who were not merit-driven, we were stalled.
• We run philanthropic institutions such as www.happinessmappers.org. Spreading happiness and helping less privileged folks is a way of life. We all love helping people have better lives, be it at work or outside.
• We are sometimes taken for a ride sometimes because of our trusting natures. However, we still continue to trust because that is a better way to live!
• There is a high focus on ensuring that enough time is spent with the family. Work will always be there.

Family is where you are irreplaceable. At Work, you are another employee ID.

It is amazing how we have been positively influenced by the behaviour of our parents.

Like eager sponges, we just absorbed the mindset, the behaviour and along with it, the ethics.