Importance of 'Telescope' and 'Microscope'
Amit Trivedi
Modern Science has invented many marvelous tools to enhance the human abilities. Two such
instruments are the microscope and the telescope. Both have a definite purpose and application. While
one is used for the study of the micro-organisms, the other is used to study those celestial bodies,
which are far away. One is so small that it cannot be seen by the naked eye, the other is too far to be
visible.
If someone were to start which one of the two is better, will it not sound ridiculous? We will ask,
what’s the point of such a debate? Aren’t both important? Well yes, both are important because we
need to study the microscopic details as well as we need to see far in the distance.
This is not just the need of the mankind; it is the need of a business, too.
A business leader needs to have a telescope in order to see the distant future – the vision. In Science,
the stronger the telescope, the farther and clearer one can see. In business, the telescope is in the
leader’s mind – there is no physical tool. However, as we all know, even with the strongest of the
optics, the future, beyond a limit will always be hazy. The telescope, the physical tool, can be shared
by all to see the future, but in business, as we said, the telescope is in the mind. And hence, we often
encounter a situation that the leader has a much more powerful telescope than his team. The vision
has to be communicated to the team for them to be able to see. Without being able to see where one
is heading, the team remains low on motivation. At this stage, it is important to remember Mahatma
Gandhi’s words. A leading astronomer, Dr. Karel Hujer had visited India and he spent some time at the
Wardha Ashram. Once he was to give a talk about our Universe, Gandhiji requested him, “Put it so
every child could understand”. One of the leader’s primary functions is to communicate the vision so
simply that every child in the organization could understand.
The microscope, on the other hand, is required to see the small details and ensure that the whole
organization is moving on the right track in the direction of the vision of the leader. The microscope in
the context of an organization is various processes, reports and feedback. This has to be both in a
formal and informal way. High degree of detailing is critical for the purpose of putting the plan in
action in order to realise the vision. Setting up a business requires certain basic ingredients. The
leader with a path-breaking idea would find it difficult to succeed without these ingredients that make
a business.
It is impossible to use the same tool as a telescope as well as a microscope. However, the same
person may possess the ability to see far in the future, communicate the vision simply to the team and
implement the strategy to reach the goal through careful micro-planning. However, this is more an
exception than the rule.
As an entrepreneur, experts say, it is important to understand one’s own strengths and outsource the
activities where one may not be very strong. However, a leader without vision is almost like the
proverbial Yeti or the UFO. We have heard about the same, but well …
A leader of a business must develop a long term vision and the ability to communicate the same to the
team. He must also have a team that can help implement the plan.
*The author runs Karmayog Knowledge Academy. He can be reached at
amit@karmayog-knowledge.com. The views expressed in this article are author's personal views.