Making the best of who you are!
Potential is acknowledged, but its application is what is valued.
“You are like flower buds waiting for their time to bloom.
Flower buds are valued much lower than blooming flowers.
The important thing is, unlike flowers, you have a choice…”
The lady paused and smiled gently. She let her gaze wander around, absorbing every face in the conference hall.
It was the induction session for the young graduate interns at the head office of an apparel giant. The lady addressing them was the 67-year-old founder Ms. Shastri.
Ms. Shastri’s grace and energy defied her age. She looked closer to 40 with grey streaks in her hair, charming face and mannerisms that would put a pedigreed actor to shame.
She had founded this apparel company 30 years ago and grown it like her baby through thick and thin. Today, she commanded a close no.3 position in the apparel segment behind 2 industrial giants. Her deep sense of customer understanding and keen fashion sense kept her company ahead of its deep pocketed peers.
“You may choose to simply bloom with all your unique fragrances and colors. It would have value.
But you may also choose to use the color and standout in a bouquet or a garland. This would have more value than just a blooming flower.
Or you may yet choose to blend your fragrance in a perfume which would have even more value.
Or some of you might just want to chart a different path by helping other flowers bloom and grow a garden. This would have far more value in the longer run!
Your value is not just what you are made of, but above all, in what ways you can make the best of who you are!
It is that simple.
With that, I welcome you all and wish you the very best environment to find your value and deliver it with pride!”
A few smiles appeared across the room. It seemed to sink in for them.
Many faces were still blank. They possibly were waiting for some more dots to join.
Ms. Shastri had figured the likely flowers that would just bloom.