Careers & Concerns

Leaders are often expected to set an example by doing great work themselves and inspire the team to work well. We generally call this as ‘Leading from the front’.  But with so much discussion around how companies want to scale up with high performing teams, the expectations from a leader have changed and it is unfair to expect leaders to know everything and set examples by outperforming in every aspect. Therefore, as a leader, you need to lead smart. The role of leaders is now different and it has evolved. In fact leaders say they prefer teams more intelligent and knowledgeable than them. But then the question comes, ‘When your team is better than you, why you should still be called a leader?’ This question is very valid and every leader should think deep to answer this. However with smart teams leadership becomes even more important involving taking decisions, setting directions, driving vision and much more. But with such team you need to earn and establish your leadership. Only then they look up to you. So let’s see how to lead smart with teams which have high performers: Gain respect through your achievements: the way you carry yourself and your achievements speak leaps and bounds about you. When you achieved something significant, your team respects you because you have tasted success. Be proficient at something: A leader cannot be a ‘jack of all and master of none’. Rather he should be a ‘jack of all and master of at least one’. This is where you have a chance to demonstrate where you are really good at. Impress your team! Trust and encourage: Sometimes all you need to do is believe, trust and encourage. Take responsibilities for failures and appreciate team’s success. When they look back, they definitely will remember your role in their success. Lay the direction: No matter how good the team is, it looks for a direction and an inspiring vision. Achieving vision without a strategy and direction can be a walk in the dark. If you can set the uncertainties apart and give a clear direction, you will be a hero. Have solutions ready: There will be moments at your workplace where inevitably few problems are placed in front you. Be ready, anticipate and give solutions. In all these 5 aspects, the leader plays a passive role in execution but a massive role behind the scenes. He ‘leads from behind’. – G Shashank

In our previous blog, we came across Ramana Rao who came from a lower middle class family, with excellent record in academics. Even with his excellent academic record he was not selected in the interview. The question posed by him made me to think a loud. “Can’t my academic record help me in squiring a job?”  I started wondering about the importance of communication skills in general, and also in landing a job. I explained to him how, in the interview, he was struggling to express himself in English to my other colleagues (who did not understand Telugu) on the interview panel. The scenario would be the same even after joining an organization – he would be required to communicate with several people who might be from diverse backgrounds. The mobility of the workforce has increased very significantly, wherein people from one region are traveling across to take up jobs in another region. There is no guarantee that your bosses and colleagues will be from the same region, speaking same language. Also, with increased interface with global offices and customers, it is inevitable to speak in English. Despite the best of technical knowledge, if one is not able to communicate and express own thoughts or views, it will surely be a stumbling block for career growth.  Lack of English knowledge is surely one of the issues. However, even with English knowledge, one may struggle in other aspects of communication such as lack of precision, temperament, articulation, sensitivity, and spontaneity. It may be in written form, oral or non-verbal. In our upcoming blog, let us discuss importance of communication skills in building self confidence and ways to develop communication skills. Article – “Communication: The X Factor”By: Dr.Raj, Published in HR Mirror, Hans India.Follow Dr.Raj on Twitter @drraj29

Several organizations allocate large sums of money towards employee learning initiatives. I noticed a pattern of higher resistance or indifference to learn when there are more choices of learning. Somehow an attitude prevails as if they are mandated to attend irrespective of their personal motivation to learn. Interestingly, where there are not many learning programs, the hunger for learning tends to be more. Is it because we don’t realize the value when something is offered free and more often? Do we value more if something is scarce? Is it dependent more on the supply-demand or more on our aptitude to learn? That brings out the key question – what is your learning aptitude? Do you have the inner urge to learn and self develop? Before you decide what to learn, it is prudent to understand the ‘why’ of learning. In adult environment, if one is not convinced about the reason to learn, it is extremely difficult make that person learn. Some of the reasons why learning is important for a successful career are: -> Keeps a person abreast in the domain knowledge-> Widens the perspective, thereby facilitating a better appreciation-> Enhances managerial maturity-> Adds to your credibility among peers and seniors-> Brings in freshness and new thinking A facilitator or trainer can surely assist you to achieve the above objectives. They are expected to help you gain knowledge or expanded thinking so that you build your capability. However, if someone is expecting immediate solutions to the professional problems, training program is not recommended. They probably need a consultant or advisor, more than a trainer. Along with the ‘why’ of training, you need to demonstrate right learning aptitude to get the best out of a learning event. A sense of child-like curiosity, non-judgmental interaction with the faculty, internally processing as to how the new knowledge can be utilized back at work, being present without distractions are some of the key behaviors that will reveal your learning aptitude. If you go into a training program with the right attitude and expectation, you will be able to derive the benefits. Remember only one thing – there are so many around us who may not be as blessed as we are to get the rich learning opportunity; it is therefore sensible to make best use of the opportunity and learn to grow – not only as a professional, but also as a human being! Article – “What is your attitude towards learning?”By: Dr.Raj, Published in HR Mirror, Hans India.Follow Dr.Raj on Twitter @drraj29