Friday Reflections

Back to Basics-Lessons from Andy Grove

Point to Ponder:  "The new business environment dictates two rules: 1) Everything happens faster; and, 2) Anything that can be done will be done. If it's not done by you it will be by someone else."  Andrew Grove

 Story Line: Back to Basics: Lessons from Andy Grove

A day before Andy Grove retired, I had a rare fortune to meet the person who was Andy’s Technical Assistant in his early career and then a senior executive of our company. Our Boss Gidu Shroff had invited Sean Maloney for a dialogue about state of the business and implication on our group’s strategy. Knowing that Sean had been TA of Andy in his early career, my curiosity compelled me to drift from business related discussions to some questions about Andy.

“You were once the technical assistant to the man who is on his last day at work at Intel. a. How did that experience help you in your career and b. what are some great things about Andy that you learnt.?” Sean’s Answers: 

1. Question the obvious. When everybody says something is this way or great, better question hard.
2. Very analytical, could understand incredible amount of details and linkages
3. Always pushed you to do better. Always made you believe that there is still a way to go in realizing your potential.
4. Very committed to the development of the people who worked for him and He devoted a lot of time on this subject.

Reflection: After the meeting, my mind ventured into memories lane about a few past encounters with/about Andy that were so consistent with what I had learnt about him that day.

1. When I joined Intel first time in 1980s, Andy was one of the speakers at New Hire Orientation. Three things that influenced my career from that talk were: the importance of a sound culture for an organization, focus on employee training and development (Intel University) and If you see a problem you own it. Don’t bury the problems or they will become large. Bring them out and address them. (and if it is not in your area, find the right owner who can fix them.)
2. About 35 people from different sites from the company were in the phone bridge meeting to discuss a lingering problem “exposed glass lid” that had impacted product shipments. Andy showed up to one meeting and after a few minutes of listening, excused most of the people (note takers, facilitators, reporters, speculators,..) and gave actions and ownership to engineers in Asian factories. He had quickly understood the technical issue and realized that a lot of side actors were dominating the stage instead of the Doers.
3. In mid 1980s, one of our plants in Asia had done pilot implantation of Just in Time System. The plant manager was very excited with results and wanted to take the lead to proliferate the system across the company. One morning he got a call from none other than Andy Grove who asked him about JIT. After listening to very excited plant manager describing glorious benefits of JIT, Andy asked only one question: What could go wrong with the system? In the words of that manager” I was frozen. I had not thought about that part.” Andy told him to do the homework and then come back with new proposal.
4. Sometime after Andy had already retired, our boss also retired after a long service. Andy sent a video message expressing his appreciation and recounting memories of their association and some incidences that had taken place over 20 years ago. That was a class act.

Swimming Across. A remarkable journey: Andris Grof to Andrew Grove (Part 1 of 2)

“I am asked sometimes what I would like to be remembered for. My answer is always the same. I would like to be remembered for helping to build an organization that sustains itself long after my tenure.”  Andy Grove, 2004 annual report, his last as the chairman of Intel.

A lot has been written and known about Andrew Grove “the man whose microchips have changed the world and its economy”.  But the way to know more about Andris Grof, the boy who grew up in Second World War Hungary before coming to America, is by……diving into the memory lane.

Friday Reflections for Out of Box Thinking Students: Thursday, May 12, 2005 9:33 PM
Subject: A remarkable journey: Andris Grof to Andrew Grove

 Notable Quotes: from Andrew Grove

“Joining Intel...was the second best decision, and the second best initiative I have undertaken in my life." He then said, "The first one...took place 10 years earlier when I met the young woman who was to become my wife."  Andy at recent Sales Marketing Conference

Fourth Grade: Once again, I got good grades without having to work hard. The only subject in which I was marked down was ‘Behaviour” The teacher’s commentary that accompanied me throughout school was “Andris is too lively.”  

“I didn’t generally have a lot of run-ins with my parents, but when did I misbehave, my parents were a united pair: my mother lectured and my father yelled.”

Point to Ponder for OBT Students: pay special attention to following: Andy’s books in order: Physics and Technology of Semiconductor Devices, High Output Management, One on One with Andy Grove, Only the Paranoid Survive and Swimming Across.

Story Line:  Swimming Across: A remarkable Journey from Andris Grof to Andrew Grove

One of the responses to April (2005) Reflection 'The other side of Andy Grove* stated  “This is a total tease….I wish I had more time to read. And now you have made me curious about reading this book (Swimming Across). Actually I am very curious about Andy. I have heard so many things about him and his influence on Intel culture. I am amazed that he has had a wife (ie a successful marriage) and children even with so much time dedicated to Intel. “

A lot has been written and known about Andrew Grove “the man whose microchips have changed the world and its economy”, the chief architect of Intel’s world prominence, the time magazine “Man of The Year”, the author of many books and the former professor at Berkeley and Stanford.

But the only way (that I know of) to know anything about Andris Grof, the boy who grew up in Second World War Hungary before coming to America, is by diving and taking laps in Swimming Across, his biography till he reached the shores of America. Written in a simple language, Andy candidly recounts many childhood memories; surviving scarlet fever, his imagination, teenage fantasies, life during two foreign occupations, his encounters with girls, his loving and united family, closeness with friends, many adventures (For others they would be called mischiefs but since we are talking about Andrew Grove, shall we call them adventures?), Hungarian uprising and the final journey to America. It is the story of courage, persistence, love, struggles and triumphs, and how they have shaped his life.

At a parent’s teacher conference during Andris secondary school year, Mr.Volesnski, the physics teacher, told the assembled parents “Life is like a big lake. All the boys get in the water at one end and start swimming. Not all of them will swim across. But one of them, I am sure, will. That one is Grof.”

And the book ends with Andy saying “As my teacher Volenski had predicted, I managed to swim across the lake-not without effort, not without setbacks, and with a great deal of help and encouragement from others. I am still swimming.”

As Andy takes his final laps (as an employee) in the lake Intel for remaining five days, we salute him with a poem from the author of his favorite childhood book, ‘The Jungle book’.

http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_if.htm

Thanks for the great memories. Thanks for making a positive difference in many lives around the world. 

Reflection: Yesterday I attended a virtual event ‘Andy Grove Remembrance’; the fifth anniversary of his passing from this earth. Many people shared their memories including ones who had worked for him and interacted with him for over 50, 40, 30 years ago to his last day. It was so clear that Andy still lives (swimming) in the hearts and minds of these people after all these years.

It brought back many memories for me; including few reflections I had written about him and some memorable learning experiences from encounters with/about him. Today’s reflection is one of those memories that resurfaced. I had written that reflection especially for my OBT students to show the emotional and personal side of Andy. Their impression of Andy was a logical, technical, no-nonsense and hard driving left brain person. The progression of his books shows the entire spectrum of his balanced (left/right brain) personality. As one of the notes in the story line demonstrates, the students were very touched knowing about emotional side of Andy.

Two days after I had published that reflection I got the email from Andy: Thanks for the nice note.  How do these things help in your course?  a

 I called him and explained my thinking. He seemed satisfied. The call ended without any 'constructive confronation' and left a lifelong memory.

Part 2: Back to Basics 2: Conversation with Andy's former TA and successful Executive, plus Lessons from encounters with Andy.(to be published on Monday March 29^th)

Wouldn’t You like to be his Neighbor?

 

Point to Ponder: "Such honesty shows that (He) probably was raised by parents who were (are) either religious or with strong moral background. As humans we all must have respect for our neighbor. A neighbor is any person on the streets, and not necessarily one that lives next door. I would love to be (his) neighbor. If we all respect our neighbor or even care for a neighbor's needs, this world would be such a beautiful place. How can America instill this kindness, respect for others, etc,?:crime would decrease and the world would be a better place. Thank you for sharing (his)'s honesty in your reflections on Thanks Giving Day." --Dennis Ferraz in response to Friday Reflection (https://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2016/11/integrity.html) on November 24, 2016

Story Line: About two weeks ago, in early night hours we were busy chatting with Oliver, our Godson, who had brought his homemade ice cream for us. Suddenly we heard the doorbell ring. Everyone became silent. While putting on my facemask I asked “Who is it?”  The voice on the other side “…., Your neighbor.” When I opened the door she asked if the car that was parked in the front of our home belonged to someone in our home. It was our Godson’s car. She informed him that when her son was backing up his car, it touched Oliver’s car and had some minor dent. Her son had immediately gone in their house and informed parents. She gave her phone number to Oliver. I told her “Thanks for your honesty” to which she replied “Of course”.

Oliver returned after inspecting his car. He told us that the damage was minor and he wouldn’t have noticed that while leaving in the darkness of the night. He too was very touched with the honesty of our neighbor.

A few days later I saw my neighbor, the father of the young man, and told him how much I appreciated his son’s honesty. He told me that he was very happy that his son had demonstrated their family value.

Reflection: We are blessed to have very good neighbors who have also become close friends. Additionally, my good fortune or what but this is the third time in my life that I have encountered incidences of honesty related to bruises on the car. This latest incidence brought back memories of past incidences and two of the most popular Friday Reflections. In the first case (1997) it was also about a young man and his honesty. The second incidence was about five years ago and the gentleman who bruised our car has become a very close friend. I like to revisit those two wonderful memories. Highly recommend to read the comments of the readers in the two reflections below:

1.The Price of Un (https://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2012/06/the-price-of-un.html) One of the five stories in the reflection.

In a community college parking lot, a teenage boy that we know left a very small scratch on the car next to his when he opened his car door. No one was around but he still left a note on the scratched car with his name and phone number. Later that evening, the father of the girl who owned that scratched car called. The first thing he said was, “I want to specially thank you for leaving a note even though the scratch is insignificant. I am not sure my daughter would have done the same.” Ultimately, it cost $350 to get the scratch removed. Years later, the same boy’s car was left badly dented in a Union Square parking lot by someone who did not leave a note with his/her phone number. Upon coming home, sad and angry, he asked his father, “ what do I do next time if I scratch or dent someone’s car,” to which the dad replied, “same thing you did the first time.” 

2.Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching

A few months ago, as my wife and I just buckled up and about to turn on the car, a stranger knocked on the passenger side window. I opened a quarter of the window and looked at the man. In a polite voice he informed us that our back tail light cover was cracked when the mattress he was moving …..Story in the link below

(https://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2016/11/integrity.html)

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

Point to Ponder: "Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen, and thinking differently." - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

Story Line: Last two reflections (Resourcefulness , Success ) were about children and their unlimited imagination, creativity, resourcefulness and determination. Future reflections will continue to narrate more such stories of children; their imagination, demonstration of leadership, kindness, honesty and understanding of basics of life.

Reflection: My neighbor Zach and I were chatting about last two reflections. How the children in those stories made the best out of what was available to them; life gave them lemons, they made lemonade out of it.

Zach mentioned that in his business he notices that there are many talented people who are like those children in FR stories. With opportunities and exposure, they thrive and create marvelous things. Then there is another group of people who are fortunate to have resources, connections and knowledge but don’t take action for various reasons (stuck in a box); lack of motivation, inertia, ‘have already achieved goals’, ‘want to take it easy’ or fear of failure. His key point was that many people have so much juice (talent, experience) have/left in them that they can offer a lot more to this world. 

That conversation and the video in this reflection has left me in a very deep thought.

 

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.- Albert Einstein

 

Success does not discriminate: The Jewel in the Palace

Point to Ponder: "Champions (Winners) aren't made in gyms (conference rooms and class rooms). Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." Muhammad Ali

Story Line (from 2006): The beauty of success is that it does not discriminate...and nor is it exclusively held for certain classes of people based on gender, race, social status, national origins or religions.

So during my last overseas visit, when I repeatedly heard about a Korean Mini Series "Jewel in the Palace", which has captivated 100s of millions of viewers of all kinds over South east Asia (From Manila to Malaysia, Seoul to Singapore and Taipei to Tokyo), my curiosity took over.

About 500 years ago, during the time of Chosun dynasty, Jang Geum, a poor eight year orphan girl from a lower class of society is brought to the King's palace to work as a court lady. "Jewel in the Palace" is a true story of Jan Geum's journey from the lowly court servant to the head of Royal Kitchen and ultimately she became the first woman to be the Royal Physician in charge of the king and awarded the title Dae (Great) Jang Geum.

What is even more fascinating are the characteristics of winners that she displays right from childhood as well as a demonstration of Out of the Box Thinking techniques (Focus, Challenge, Associate and Paradigm Shift) throughout her life in a highly beauracratic and hierarchical structure. She is not allowed in the school becuase of her low status but she peeks in the classrooms through windows and learns.

Winners in life have a definite purpose. There was never a winner who did not plan to win in advance and Jang Geum is no exception. In her first encounter with Palace Heads, the eight year old declares, “I want to be the head of the Royal Kitchen.” (Imagine a fresh graduate in his first meeting with VPs saying "I am here to become a COO or CFO". How would it go?). Winners are aware of the price they will have to pay and Jang Geum endures all kinds of (some very severe) punishments, hardships and discriminations throughout her life but stays on course.

She practices OBT ideas by closely observing things, recombining normal ingredients to create new dishes and medicines; which delights the royal family. But the ultimate is the example in Paradigm Shift where she uses acupuncture and surgery to heal a rabbit. It had never been done before and in the process she demonstrated the surgery was a viable option where traditional medicines were not effective.

And just like many Risk Takers, she goes in and falls out of grace with superiors and eventually becomes a prey of Palace politics and fired. She is sent to exile to a remote island. She makes the best out of the situation and learns about medicines and becomes a Physician. With fierce drive and determination, she finds a way back into the palace. Her resourcefulness, integrity and valued solutions are eventually noticed by the king himself and she becomes the first woman to be the Royal Physician of the king.

Reflection: I am sure it is clear to you by now why the story is titled “(The) Jewel in the Palace.” It is a powerful story from Korean history about the rise of a little girl from a meager background to the head Physician of the Palace. During my business trip in Asia I found out that Corporate Executives and  managers/engineers were hooked on this miniseries so upon return I spent 3 full weekends watching it. I realized that in the history of every culture there are stories like this that one can learn a lot from. Things that one can learn from such stories are normally taught in corporate leadership classes; one can just watch such movies and get real life lessons.

Theme song from the mini-series