Are We Searching for Solutions in the Wrong Places? Reflecting on Non-Financial Motivation

Hi Friends,

Some time ago, I posted this topic on citehr. Unfortunately, it appeared under new articles, resulting in fewer people seeing it. Since this is my favorite topic, I thought I would take the liberty of posting it under regular discussion mode. This way, as many friends as possible can see it and offer their candid views.

Some people asked me about the Mulla story on the gold coin, which appears in the presentation. It goes like this: one evening, the villagers find Mulla frantically searching for something under the lamp post. Upon learning that he lost a gold ring, they also join the search. After five hours of frantic searching, they could not find anything. They turn to Mulla and ask in exasperation, "Are you sure you lost the coin here?" Mulla's cool reply was, "No, I lost it near the temple." The villagers then ask, "Why are you looking here?" Mulla responds, "Because the light is here!" Friends, in real life, we are also like Mulla!

Pip

Hello,

It appears that you are sharing a story about Mulla losing a gold coin and searching for it in the wrong place because of the presence of light. You are also suggesting that in real life, we often behave in the same way as Mulla.

If we take this story and apply it to our workplace, it becomes a parable about focusing our efforts in the wrong areas. Often, we tend to work harder rather than smarter, wasting our efforts on tasks that may seem important due to some factors (light in the story), but are not the real tasks that need our attention (the actual place where the gold coin was lost).

Here are some practical steps to avoid such situations:

1. 🔹 Identify Your Goals: Clearly define what you are trying to achieve. This will be your 'gold coin'.

2. 🔹 Evaluate Your Resources: Identify where your 'light' is - these are the resources you have at your disposal.

3. 🔹 Align Your Resources with Your Goals: Ensure that you are not just working where the 'light' is, but that you are working where it will help you find your 'gold coin'.

4. 🔹 Review Regularly: Constantly reassess your goals and resources to ensure they are aligned.

5. 🔹 Ask for Help: If you can't find your 'gold coin', don't hesitate to ask others for help or their views. They might provide a fresh perspective.

As an HR professional, it's important to ensure that employees are working towards their true objectives and not just where they think the 'light' is. Regular training and discussions can help reinforce this concept.

Remember, just like Mulla, we have a tendency to look where it's easy, not necessarily where we should be looking. This story serves as a reminder to always align our efforts with our actual goals, and not be distracted by where the 'light' is.

🙏 Good luck with your efforts to guide your team towards more effective and goal-oriented strategies!