The last few days, my wife has been busy writing recommendation letters for her junior IAS officers applying for Fulbright and various other scholarships, for pursuing higher studies.
And just like the MBA admissions at US B-Schools, here also, success has little to do with actual performance on the job and everything to do with the application quality.
Of course, in theory, the application reflects the individual’s capabilities and accomplishments. But there is a huge problem — some very hardworking and accomplished individuals are not very articulate. And they languish.
This feels so unfair! And yet, it is undeniably true, not just in college admissions, but also in job interviews, day-to-day professional interactions, and so on.
People have no way of assessing your real work, abilities and talent, except through the filter of how you articulate (unless, maybe, it is your direct boss).
And as you get more senior, you don’t just articulate your work — articulation becomes your work because that is how you influence, persuade, and build consensus.
As unfair as this feels, this is not going to change. And when we can’t change the world, we should change ourselves.
Whatever your job or role maybe, constantly hone your ability to articulate.
No matter how much ChatGPT advances — one thing won’t change: Writing, talking, and persuading will always be done by humans.
– Rajan