‘Do you want to be a big fish in a small sea or a small fish in a big sea ?’

This used to be one of the final questions that I used to pop to candidates, to test their aptitude. As years passed, I realised, it actually applies to a wider spectrum of decisions.  I also learnt that our brain has a sociometer called the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) that constantly gauges our position in the status hierarchy of whatever social or professional groups we find ourselves in. Our MPFC reacts more strongly to actions that would likely decrease our status, subsequently, our brains become much more sensitive to status defeats than to status successes.

Getting to be a big fish in a small sea offers the advantage of being well-known within the group, having influence, exposure and greater recognition amidst a disproportionate share of available opportunities. Schooled in a small industrial town that offered top notch facilities, there was no dearth of opportunities for skill or sport, art or academics that was not accessible to learn. Always vying for excellence built my spirit that constantly persevered with passion, and the domino effect of serial wins, built not just my confidence but also character. There was more recognition, appreciation and acknowledgement.  Later on, when I had to move to the city for higher education, there was never any fear or hesitation to take initiative and participate even when the competition was fierce or the stage was bigger. 

Professionals would find it  easier and quicker to reach a position of authority climbing a short ladder of hierarchy or enhanced chances of being noticed in small or mid-sized organizations. If your efforts are recognized, appreciated, and rewarded, you can expect to feel more valued at work and in life. Since there are fewer people to go through to make decisions, one would have a more decisive say in the outcome in a small ambience. It definitely offered me more opportunities to broaden my experience and understand all the aspects of running a small business from marketing and sales to legal and commercial and backend activities like management of a fabrication shop and the overall project. It trained me to have a holistic view and carry the flexibility to switch between different types of responsibilities, a valuable skill I wield successfully in today’s fast-paced business world.

Today, I interpret that BIG is not about the size of the fish- it is about the learning, development and advancement. And that cannot be attained in a small pond, no matter how gifted or smart one is! That transformation will be brought by the Big sea offering a plethora of opportunities to explore, choose, and specialise in. The flip side is one required to strive harder to survive and thrive in the larger ecosystem, and learn to live with a lesser-known identity within the cohort. 

A larger organization’s sheer size means it has access to more resources, and connects professionals to wider networks. It exposes one to processes, systems, training and appraisals. Large seas (organizations) would typically have less turbulence and process disruptions as they provide a rather structured path for development and advancement. The deep seas teach us survival and scuttling successfully between the sharks, anemones, octopuses and hermit crabs in the waters. At the same time, getting involved and influenced, working with veterans in the field can be both enlightening and enriching. A stable, steady and secure environment, develops and  influences our decision-making abilities too. Being a part of a big brand, one that you can be proud to be a part of, can help you broaden your horizons in more than one ways. 

At this juncture, I now believe, it is more about the contentment of having delivered, value adding, smart and honest work at the end of the day. The corporate rat race is a devious spiral and may often present hallucinogenic images of power, success and social standing in professional circles, as we push towards tangible betterment of our careers. But is it important to bear in mind that the things that matter most in life are not the size of the pond but rather the size of our passion, dedication, openness to learn and fulfilment. Therefore, the Pond or Sea is just a medium for our journeys. Let us plunge in without preconceived notions, in pursuit of happiness and make the most of our individual journeys.

Pune

March 23,2024

#Trueessence #Crochetofwords #fishandfishes #smallpondorbigsea