Always Stand by Your Wingman

Always Stand by Your Wingman

“Trust is the confidence among team members that their peers’ intentions are good, and that there is no reason to be protective or careful around the group. Team-mates are vulnerable with one another; they are confident that their respective vulnerabilities will not be used against them.”

- Patrick Lencioni

I recently watched a wonderful movie called Barfi! This movie had all the components that Indian mainstream movies often miss. It certainly qualifies to be categorized under the coveted genre of a commercial documentary (or docudrama). The movie tells the story of a deaf and dumb man who loves “to smile in the face of problems.”

One scene from the movie that depicted the true essence of trust among friends touched me. The scene shows Murphy (read “Barfi”) cutting a wooden electric pole and standing in front of it along with a friend as it falls a few inches away from his feet and crushes a glass bottle kept at the estimated point of impact. This was his way to measure the trust and the strength of the bond of friendship that he shares with a number of characters in the movie.

I was dumbstruck to see the ease with which the director has portrayed the real essence of friendship and the spirit of belief between the protagonists. 

“Always stand by your Wingman” — this was what my project manager told me on the first day of my job seven years ago and to this day it actively rings in my mind and remains one of my most significant lessons of life.

We often fail to acknowledge our team members and family members alike who have stood by us in the thick and thin of life. I do not recall a single day of my professional or personal life where I have not relied on one of my colleagues or family members to play a crucial role that would eventually decide the outcome of the task at hand.

I wonder if we’d ever find the time to “thank” these individuals for their faith in our abilities. 

So, the next time you are applauded for an accomplishment, remember to share your laurels with your pals, team members, or family members who encouraged and stood by you all the way.