A THING OR TWO TO UNDERSTAND - a need of the hour

 A THING OR TWO TO UNDERSTAND - a need of the hour

The topic relates to the innate intricacies behind ‘performance abilities’ of humans. Pathetically, there is a tendency to believe that good scores in examinations imply higher ability. In my understanding it is a myth to imagine that tall scorers are indomitable performers. If a correlation does exist between scores and ability, it is a rare coincidence and that score as an index of ability has different applicability levels among different persons. For a few, the two exist together, while for many there is a negative correlation. Well, if in the final reckoning, performance matters the most in the profession, often low scorers gain supremacy later in life, Thus, we can segregate human minds as of three versions a] consistently high performing, b] early promising but declining in later life [ a fair % represent this segment] and  c] Late bloomers , who look less promising almost till tertiary level of education but register a phenomenal rise like a meteor that none else can match them in profession, as they acquire exceptionally sharp brilliance in execution of work. I have critically watched some personnel of the last [c] variety, making  a serious dent into the claims of detractors - with a vengeance so to say.

The question is -how is it that the members of category [c] open-up rather late, but demolish every other edifice of apparent supremacy by immaculate performance punctuated by classic aggression of sorts. They sort out difficulties faced by them and either minimize or eliminate such obstacles and achieve the most rewarding outcome. Thereafter, none dares raising a little finger against their skills of performance; but may attempt mudslinging or casting aspersions on consistence of reliability.  Soon enough, all of them fall by the wayside and are unable to recoup their strategies of denigrating the worthy competitor. Let us learn to ignore the detractors, as their gimmicks are bound to die swallowing their own lies full of venom.

As a functional approach to grooming children, it is extremely important to avoid launching comparison of the incomparable. Every child is a model by itself and need not be assessed by ‘irrelevant’ comparison. Recall your own profile as a child and that your career was shaped by the environment. With so much difference in the situations of life, it is futile to drive the child mad, nagging him/ her for tall scores. Allow them to acquire skills by providing opportunities of learning and not compelling the kid to undergo rigorous tuition schedules daily. If not any promising now, [s]he may gain momentum at a later phase and reach pinnacle rather gloriously. If not, nothing is lost. World is full of scope for skilled people. Skill and scores are not synonyms. 

Remember- Doctors, Engineers, S/W professional are not the lone humans; there are innumerable other venues that are adequately rewarding by global opportunities. Competence matters the most and not mere scores.   Slowly scores are turning ‘sore’ items as tall scorers are inept performers. Rigorous pressure on score can frustrate, driving the child to extremes irretrievably. Parents who keep nagging the child to make tall scores, would do well to remember their own scores and recognize that morally have no justification to nag him/her for marks. Kindly avoid the argument that “it is a competitive race” is it not a race for choice of the competent? To be competitive, one has to be competent. Permit late bloomers to survive and blossom later; avoid hurriedly killing their composure by vituperation.

Prof. K. Raman