Fun Series: Parallels Between Dosa and Corporate Life

Flour, lentils, and fermented rice form the batter of the thin, crispy pancake known as dosa or dosai. It is a common accompaniment to the lentil-based sambar and the tangy chutney, staples in South Indian cuisine. 

Some important features of dosa are as follows:

• They can be made in various styles, such as plain, masala (filled with spiced potatoes), or rava (semolina-based).
• Additionally, many enjoy dosas for breakfast or as a snack, making them a versatile dish that appeals to many palates.
• Texture: slightly chewy, thin, and crispy
• Taste: savoury, with a hint of sourness from the fermentation process
• Appearance: The object has a round shape and a golden brown colour.
• There are many different types of dosas. Some common fillings include potato and onion (masala dosa), but there are many more options. It goes well with mint, tamarind, or coconut chutneys.

We can draw parallels between dosa and the distinctive combination of flavours, versatility, and balance required by business life. Let’s take a humorous look at how this popular South Indian dish mirrors corporate life:

Appealing on the outside, complex on the inside

A dosa looks simple and tempting—a golden-brown, crispy treat that feels comforting and satisfying. But behind its delicious exterior lies a complex process, from fermenting the batter to cooking it just right. 

• Corporate Life: Job titles, benefits, and the prospect of advancement make corporate life seem enticing as well. On the other hand, there are layers upon layers of responsibilities, demands, and the complexities of working together and achieving objectives.

Must strike the appropriate balance

Dosa batter requires an exact proportion of rice to urad dal, careful mixing during fermentation, and delicate spreading onto a heated pan. If there’s even a little imbalance, it will be overly hard or too wet.

• Corporate Life: In corporate life, it’s crucial to skilfully balance workloads, interpersonal connections, and personal well-being. Focusing too much on one thing can lead to burnout or a lack of productivity.

The continuity of exciting varieties

There is an almost infinite variety of dosas, including onion, paneer, rava, and masala dosa. Things stay intriguing because every variant adds a new twist. 

• Corporate Life: There are always new challenges and chances for growth in the ever-changing business environment as a result of the evolution of jobs, initiatives, and responsibilities. Keeping things exciting and avoiding stagnation is possible via a combination of departmental changes and taking on new initiatives.

Accompanied by multiple sides (teams and support)

The flavour-enhancing sides, like chutneys and sambar, are essential to every dosa. 

• Corporate Life: Individuals cannot achieve success in corporate life alone. You can’t succeed in projects without the “flavour” that comes from colleagues, mentors, support teams, and cross-functional departments.

Needs dedication and skill

Patience, skills, and precision are necessary ingredients in the dosa-making process. You must wait for the batter to ferment and cook it slowly to get the perfect crispiness. 

• Corporate life: Climbing the corporate ladder requires the same amount of perseverance and focus as any other professional path. Competence, expertise, and trust are all things that need time to cultivate. Getting things done quickly without giving them your all could result in a “half-baked” product.

The outside is crisp, but the inside Is soft

Dosas have a crunchy exterior and a soft, toasty inside. What makes it so tasty is the contrast. 

• Corporate Life: People in business environments often present themselves as highly professional, goal-orientated, and efficient. Internal emotions, impulses, and desires drive them. Professionalism and humanity coexist harmoniously to create workplace dynamics.

Adaptable yet rooted in basics

The batter and cooking procedure for dosa remain the same, but there are numerous ways to customize it.

• Corporate life: It’s no different in the business world; when new technologies and trends emerge, corporate settings also change and adapt. But other things, like working hard, working in a team, and thinking strategically, are constants that will always be important.

If taken in excess, it may be quite overwhelming

A handful of dosas is ideal, but an abundance of them could be overwhelming.

• Corporate life: Moderation is key in all aspects of life, including corporate life. Burnout may result from working long hours and constantly hustling, but finding a comfortable medium keeps things intriguing and rewarding.

Best enjoyed with a good dose of enthusiasm

Eating a dosa, especially with chutneys and sambar, is a satisfying experience that feels even better when enjoyed with gusto. 

• Corporate life: Embracing a positive mindset, a sense of wonder, and enthusiasm may greatly enhance the corporate journey. Every obstacle becomes a learning opportunity when you approach them with enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge.

Put simply, corporate life is like a dosa: it’s simple and complicated, structured and adaptable, and it requires a combination of patience, talent, and excitement to enjoy. Layers of experiences and fulfilment await individuals who learn to relish each step, thanks to its combination of precise professionalism and soft skills.