Simplicity And Pursuit Of Excellence

Lakshmi Narayanan
Vice-Chairman and ex-CEO Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

The values I learnt by merely observing my parents' behaviour and actions far outnumber what I was taught explicitly. I learnt from my father simplicity, sharing with others even the limited resources we have and helping others. From my mother, it was - fairness in all her interactions with me and my two siblings, the instances of truthfulness exhibited by her friends and family, and the examples of other successful people that she pointed out to me. The common trait in them was the discipline they observed. They taught me all these principles by practising them. Therefore, these values are deeply ingrained in me.

Years later, when I was able to instinctively apply those values in my day-to-day interactions, I realised and appreciated how much I had learnt from my parents during my early years.

Message to Children

Pursuit of excellence - Give all you have in everything you undertake, no matter how big or small it is. Either try to be the best in what you do or don't do it at all.