“But with all the confusion about earnings growth and when the economic recovery will happen, and with markets near all-time highs, how are you saying continue investing?” Swami asked Jigneshbhai the other day.
He was in an aggressive frame of mind then as the uncertainty over economy was troubling him. But Jigneshbhai, cool as ever, looked up from his coffee, and spoke straight, unlike usual.
“If your horizon is over 10 years, all you need is some courage before more clarity,” Jigneshbhai asserted.
Swami though wasn’t convinced.
He demanded clarity before taking any step, like so many occasions in the past. But Jigneshbhai insisted that before clarity, he needed some courage.
“But this is not the time to show courage. Let some more clarity emerge, all the experts are saying,” Swami persisted.
“If you have made up your mind, then don’t ask me,” Jigneshbhai retorted, shifting his attention back to the coffee he was sipping.
As always, this irritated Swami no end.
“No, I haven’t decided. That’s why I am asking you. Why are you brushing me aside?” he revolted.
Jigneshbhai looked up with a smile this time. He kept his coffee cup aside.
“That’s because you have decided not to decide,” he started. “You are using the need for clarity as a pretext to hide your lack of courage to move ahead,” he said what seemed like harsh words to me.
I could see some of Swami’s stiff resistance melt in the heat of Jigneshbhai’s tough talk.
And then Jigneshbhai continued.
“Not every decision is one of courage. But this one is,” he insisted. “And the fact that you are asking so many questions means you are seeking clarity when what you need is courage. It’s a mask.”
This hit us like a punch on the face. Thankfully, it was from our dear friend. Swami and I pondered over what Jigneshbhai had said. It dawned upon us that, perhaps, he might be right.
Whenever we ask for more clarity, beyond a point, it is a good indication of lack of courage. This was true in Swami’s case.
“You might be right. I am dithering,” Swami confessed.
That’s the good thing about Swami. He has no qualms about accepting his errors, especially when pointed out by Jigneshbhai.
“Good, that’s good,” Jigneshbhai smiled. “When someone doesn’t want to do something, he asks unnecessary questions.”
“That’s true,” Swami nodded in agreement. “When candidates ask too many questions about a job role, it is a good sign that they don’t want to take it up. I experience it every time.”
“I do the same thing with prospective customers,” Jigneshbhai recalled instances from his business. “Too many questions on my offer or pricing, and I cut the call short. I know he is not ready to buy,” he added.
A need for clarity masks the underlying lack of courage.
We decide to do things first and then seek more clarity. When we seek clarity beyond a point, we have decided not to do it. We need more courage before we need more clarity.
“This is the time to show some courage, before clarity emerges,” Jigneshbhai said, returning to the original question.
Swami and I pondered over it for a while. That’s when we saw the wealthy old man walk towards us with a smile. He put a hand of reassurance on Swami’s shoulder and said, “The first step requires courage. Take it. When clarity emerges later, you will be glad you did.”
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This and many more such humour and wisdom-filled Jigneshbhai and Swami coffee conversations are part of the collection ‘Food for Thought‘