USC Graduate Series Week 2 speaker: Naikaj P. Bhobe ! !Topic: What really matters: Concluding address!Date: 31 January 2014

�1WHAT REALLY MATTERS ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS- NAIKAJ P. BHOBE

What I think really matters in your career and life:

In the past, there have been innumerable examples of relating professional accomplishments to your IQ. Some notable examples are Albert Einstein with an estimated IQ of 160, Madonna with 140 and Quentin Tarantino is also 160. But, what about John F. Kennedy? His was only 119. There are numerous examples that showcase the lack of substance in the theories relating professional success to IQ. Let us not dig deep into them now. It turns out that INTELLIGENCE IS HIGHLY GLORIFIED AND PUFFED UP. What one truly needs to succeed is much more than a simple IQ test. Success is a collection of number of things and a high IQ is definitely in the top ten of that list.

The Carnegie Institute of Technology research shows that 85% of the financial success we achieve is due to skills in ‘Human Engineering” and only 15% is due to the technical knowledge. So what does Human engineering include? It is your personality and ability to communicate, lead and negotiate. A Nobel Prize Princeton psychologist has stated that people would rather do business with someone they like and trust rather than someone they done even if the likable person is offering a lower quality product or service at a higher price. This perhaps explains why so many business heads hold an MBA. An MBA, apart from the huge amount of financial, strategic mastery provides one extremely valuable tool- The tool of soft skills. This is what really adds value to that degree and which is often overlooked by many. To summarize success is dependent on three main quotients apart from a mere Intelligence quotient.

1. Emotional Intelligence: People want to be inspired to pursue a vision. It’s your job to give it to them. You are not just paid to work. You are paid to be uncomfortable – and to pursue projects that scare you. Say “please” and “thank you”. It makes a difference. Words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well. You’ll get your game-changing ideas away from the office versus in the middle of work. Make time for solitude. Creativity needs the space to present itself. Smile. It makes a difference. Read magazines you don’t usually read. Talk to people who you don’t usually speak to. Go to places you don’t commonly visit. Disrupt your thinking so it stays fresh + hungry + brilliant. Lift your teammates up versus tear your teammates down. Anyone can be a critic. What takes guts is to see the best in people. People who create magic often try to give a huge importance to intuition. Taking a holistic, right brained approach plays a huge roll in many important decisions.

2. Moral Intelligence: Keep promises and be impeccable with your word. People buy more than just your products and services. They invest in your credibility. It could take you 30 years to build a great reputation and 30 seconds of bad judgment to lose it. The client is always watching. Never let your credibility slip. Not even for a bit. Take care of your relationships and the money will take care of itself. Work hard. But build an exceptional family life. What’s the point of reaching the mountaintop but getting there alone?

3. Body Intelligence: If you’re in business, you’re in show business. The moment you get to work, you’re on stage. Give us the performance of your life. Take care of your body. Get fit like a sportsman. It is necessary to demonstrate that your business is not the only thing you care about. Don’t fall in love with your press releases. Become obsessed with the user experience such that every touch point of doing business with you leaves people speechless. No, breathless. Everything from appearance of the office to the experience with the staff- just make the costumer happy. Brilliant things happen when you go the extra mile for every single customer.

“Desire is the key to motivation, but its determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti.

�2WHAT REALLY MATTERS ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS- NAIKAJ P. BHOBE

A Harvard Graduate may have his path carved out by getting a fancy, expensive degree but it is just 15% of the problem solved. Humans are engineered to make great things without a fancy education. Be nice. Be caring. Be a Master of Your Craft. And practice + practice + practice.

�3WHAT REALLY MATTERS ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS- NAIKAJ P. BHOBE