Best session ever; And... a sloppy election

Today, I woke up early, got ready quick; drove the bike faster, literally all in a fast forward mode - in anticipation of the great election at class, to elect a female representative for us.  I was expectant for a great masala-ful day - a day full of delightful slugfests, catfights amongst the candidates.  I was in a hurry not to miss the action but still was late to class and went only after the first session was over.

The Adimai strikes back

I was invited by fantastic aroma of food.  Yamuna and Nithya were digging into some idlies and chatni (Nithya... Was that milagai chatni?) They graciously offered and I had to reluctantly refuse.  For them, I might have looked like a guy from a drought-prone area but for me, I had to maintain my figure.  Hence, the offer and rejection. Adrenaline still flowing, I crossover to meet Prabhu and Kalpana who were in a deep discussion with a guy.  I didn't notice him until I heard a familiar creaky laugh (something like a mouse caught in a trap!). There stands a familiar figure - our own adimai- Vijay. Last I heard of him was that he was still at home - pigging out his mom's delicacies, deleting yahoo group members, writing assignments (looks like went around town asking for them!)

I thought what the hell was he doing here in the class.  Last time, I saw him lying "bebrabe" in the hospital, I didn't think he'll make it back in a six months.  Hey, kudos to his strong personality and perseverance to get back to class.  Welcome back, Vijay.  Friends in canteen... duck for cover... Vijay's back.

This puts us in a leadership quagmire. As our beloved adimai is back so soon (which nobody expected), Srini might consider handing over the responsibilities back. I think the popular vote is also to re-instate Vijay - not because Srini was bad (He hasn't been around long enough to be judged!), but everybody likes exploiting Vijay better.  Srini was absent today and wasn't available for comment.  More clarity in the coming days.

The Great Indian Election

Now, back to the event of the day - The election.  Am taking a bucket of ice-cold water and am about to throw it on your expectations. The election was over in like... 2 minutes, or was it lesser?  Here is how the elections went by:

- During lunch break, Me and gang (Prabhu and who was the other one?) were taking a stroll around the university to digest the big meal

- Aseena and gang walks by (Was that Sathya & Bhavani?)

- I see Aseena and ask her "Aseena... Can you be our Representative?"

- She think for about 10 seconds and says "Ok".

How long did it take to for you guys to read it? Well... it was the duration of our much expected elections.

Maybe, the maneouvring before the elections may be more interesting. We were discussing about various candidates and the names in play were of Anupa, Aseena, Vidhya, Priya, Sheba, Deepthi, Kalpana etc., The major criteria was to have somebody who can contribute constructively to the group.  When this election was discussed with them, there were quite a few inputs:

"What representative? Did we have one earlier?"

"Keep your long nose out of girls' affair"

"I can become a representative.  But, I can't come to class regularly or talk to you all regularly. Is it ok?"

"I don't even bother coming to the class. Why would I bother to become a representative now?"

"Why don't you become our representative?"

The last input was most exciting.  I even had, for a moment, a fleeting thought of leading a huge contingent of girls in a procession in Anna University. Well... thoughts are always exciting, isn't it?  I had another thought too... My wife's reaction to me receiving calls from girls at all times of day and time. I think she might have given a friendly tap with the chappati roller pin whenever I received a call.  So, to save whatever grey matter that was left inside my head and to give another person an opportunity to serve the masses, I gave a silent burial to my aspiration of representing the weaker sex.

As an after-thought, it might have been great to have had Sudha announcing Aseena's name in the class.

The surprise visitor

Now, to more serious things - like the actual classes.

Research Methods lecturer did her duty with all sincerity. And then, we had another new faculty for HRM.  I didn't think much of him until he revealed his unique training style.  I guessed he might be a professional corporate trainer.  Chances are that he is one!!! He fit, to an extent, my expectation of a faculty who could share his practical experiences with us and give us some useful advise.  Wish he had spent more time with us.

I've compiled some of his more useful suggestions below:

• Membership in MMA and TA circles.
• MMA is Madras Management Association (http://www.mmachennai.org/) is situated at MMA HOUSE, No.148-K, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Thoraipakkam, Chennai-600 096. Contact No. is 2496 2766.
• TA (Transactional Analysis) Study circle in chennai. Contact no. is 24950398. Can somebody find out where it is?
• Creative visualization can be used for betterment of our lives.  You can try Edward De Bono's Six hats technique.
• Check out the motivational book and video - The Secret by Rhonda Byrne (www.thesecret.tv)
• Playing financial management game "CashFlow101" invented by Robert Kiyosaki (http://cashflow101game.com/)

He also assigned a simple task of staring at people's faces and studying them.  Don't forget to send your findings to him.

I sincerely wish we had more people like him lecturing to us about more useful things in life.

The Home stretch

We are at the home stretch for submitting assignments. I made a fairly speedy start about 3 weeks ago but the speed reduced considerably as my elder one started practising his drawing skills with crayons on them, and the younger one started using what was left as diapers.  Now, time for me to scamper and beg for some kind soul to share their assignments with me. I am clear about one thing, whatever effort I put in, my hand-writing would ensure I scrape the bottom again.  All said and done, we should use this data collection exercise into a learning experience.  There were quite a few items that was not on the books. It is a pity that we don't get these assignments back.  Guess it goes right into the dust bin after correction. 

Can our representatives kindly find out if we can get the assignments after correction?  There is so much effort that goes into collecting data and it would be great reference in future.

Anybody hearing? Knock... Knock...

Pras

Leadership at its best, or at its worse

Yesterday was a "Jerry Maguire" moment for me. Like Tom Cruise, I set about transferring all my thoughts into big "all-telling" manual. Here a peek of that manual.

My past experiences of dealing with Leaders with varying styles got me thinking if there was a benchmark for leadership. I personally feel that concept of benchmarking will not work, atleast in leadership, because the very definition of leadership is to expand the boundaries and explore the unknown. So, benchmarking will only be a futile and limiting exercise as far as leadership is concerned. Some things that I've noticed in my leaders that have led the companies to the places that they are in now.

I tried working on the rules and found it would be better as an observer rather than a subject. Of course, I've also tried to gauge myself against these rules.

Don't just start with the end in mind, stay with it and finish it

What differentiates you from others is your ability to visualize an outcome much before others. Your capacity to create a vision sets you apart. Do visionaries make good leaders? I have my doubts because those who have a vision should also have the perseverance and wherewithal to make that vision come true. That quality of pursuing the goal; digging all 100 feet until your reach the gold pot is what makes a leader.

Be the first to take the bullet

You have a great idea. You have a plan to implement your idea. You have assembled a team to achieve your goal. Now, don't just stop after drafting a plan; defining roles and responsibilities of your team members; finalizing an incentive plan. Step on the plate and take the lead. Show your employees that you will be first to take the bullet. When the client gives hell, be there to take it.

Take the punch. Get the hell up to take the next one!

Competition is waiting to give you the knock-out punch.  You've been punched once - Fine.  Get the hell up!!! You are punched again. What are you doing on the floor? Get up.  Get ready for the next one.  You have no choice!!! You have to get off that floor until you introduce your fists to the competitor's jaws forcefully.

Patience is not a virtue

Waiting patiently for results is different from waiting patiently to act.  More time you take to act, more time it takes to get results.  Your employees expect you to do something. They are not judging whether you are right or wrong?  They are judging whether you are pro-active and decisive enough.  So, don't sit on your backside and be patient.  Get up and ACT and the results will follow. Act - Not tomorrow, not the day after - NOW.

Lead by empowerment, Manage by delegation or Perish by Negligence

Some leaders like empowering employees; Some like to delegate tasks; Some seem to have an affinity to perishing by negligence.  You job is not finished by just asking your subordinate to do a task. In fact, your job only starts there. You need to follow-up to see if the guy has understood your request and has the wherewithal to complete it in time and budget. If you HOPED the guy would finish the task and ASSUMED he has finished, very soon he'll finish you by not completing the task. So, wake up and earn your living by ensuring all tasks are completed before you go back to your afternoon siesta.

Employees are not door-mats

Something goes wrong - blame the employees. No profit this year - the employees' fault; Low productivity - who else but that bloody employee; Recession - same old employee.  It is easier to offload all the shortcomings of a company on the heads of the poor employees.  Well, you forgot the simple fact that you own the company and not them.  If something went wrong, you are the one to be blamed.  If you are looking for easy pickings, you are only better off flogging a dead horse. Remember!!! They have a choice of skipping companies. You don't!!!

Good or Bad - Communicate

Your altruist mentality is extremely understandable in your church.  Your benevolence is much appreciated because you want to spare your poor employees from bad news.  Here is an option - take a gun and shoot yourself in the foot. Don't get the point - replace the foot with your temple.  When you employed them, didn't you pick their brains to see if they can do their job well.  How come you suddenly forget that and doubt their intelligence to understand bad news. Good or Bad, it is up to them to decide.  All you need to do is be a good messenger boy and pass them the message. 

Clients have brains too

Your fancy brochures, silky smooth presentations, deep discounts and dirt cheap products got you the clients.  Or, was it your good service, loving attention and readiness to bend backwards that is keeping them. Next time, you want to stand in front of them; scratch your head; and ask for an increase in fee, you better recognize that your clients have some brains too. They let you get away with your bluff last time because you gave them a hefty discount.  Next time, you try the same without the discount, they will soon introduce you to their toilet flush.

Where is your Accountability?

Its mine and I don't have to answer anybody.  Brave thoughts; Bad Intentions. When I point a finger at somebody, alas... I've got a three pointing at me.  If I don't take the blame, who else will.  If I cannot stand up to my words and action, what good am I? You can be rest assured that nobody would question your decisions.  But, have you had a discussion with your conscience lately? What did it say?  Did it say 'well done' or was the discussion too sore to be disclosed?

Formalize the relationship with your Brother, and with your wife too

Relationships are wonderful.  Wonderful of course, outside the office premises. When you let them step into the office, they better have something valid to show and something concrete to contribute. Casual relationships don't sustain business, formal relationships do. You have a brother to help you out, get him sign the dotted lines; Your wife is around. Great!!! Get her sign too. Oh! there comes your second cousin's third nephew, don't let her step in without that signature. Be it a friend, relative, school friend, girl friend, one night stands, maids - if they are in business with you, formalize the relationship and get them sign the dotted lines.  Formalize the business relationships before the personal relationships sore. If relationships sore - Your headache, mate.  Not the company's.

Take the good with the bad, or vice-versa

All is going well.  Hurrah!!! Let me throw a gala party and enjoy with my employees.  Something wrong - Where is my couch and crying pillow? Did somebody forgot to tell you that life is not a bed of roses?  Hey, even some roses have the thorns attached to them.  So, next time you walk the bed of roses, don't be surprised that a thorn or two got to know your feet better.  You shake on hearing news - good or bad -  remember that your company shakes with you too.  Whether it is with excitement or anxiety? ou decide. Too much movement may curdle your company. Let me introduce a new word to you - Equilibrium

It is the cashflow, Stupid

You've got fantastic vision. Your clients pay you regularly. You love your employees that you treat them like kings. You've got some cash and time to blow it. Give them a party in the biggest hotel in town. Take them hiking to the highest peaks. Let them talk to spiritual gurus who charge a ton an hour. Time to sign the pay-cheques. Did you find anything in your bank account? Yes... Wow! You are one lucky guy, aren't you? How about pay next month? No... Wipe  that surprised look on your face.  You did know it was a matter of time. You know you are not blessed with a bottomless bank account.  That happens only in fairy tales. Now, go... find the money to keep your company afloat.

You have a family too... Remember! Or, do you need your secretary to remind you?

You've worked your butt off and have achieved a lot. Your company is minting money; showing an increase YOY, every year... without fail. Your employees are a happy lot; Your clients are happy with your discounts; Your  suppliers happy with the prompt payments; Your bankers happy with your bank balances. There is a bunch of forgotten souls who never bothered you with their concerns. Those who sacrificed their time to let you pursue your professional goals. Yes... I am talking about your family - the spouse and the kids. Their voices were drowned by the employees', time taken by your clients. Keep it going and you'll find yourself an old millionaire with your family grown past you. Bye, Bye... Good times!!!

Got your score... Did you? 

What is it going to be? 

A pat on your back or a kick on your backside?

Time to take some corrective measures.  

ACT...for god's sake... AT LEAST NOW!!!