Communication is a powerful tool in the managers arsenal - a tool which is effective for intervention, dispute settlement, motivation and goal-setting. In an economy which is getting worrisome by the day, with disillusionment setting in faster - more time needs to spent in communicating to groups, individuals - across levels. Communicating becomes more important for middle management - since top needs 'Real' facts to decide and set agenda - and the bottom wants to secure the future, looks for stability and belongingness.
Communication is not just verbose. Forms and formats vary. Here are some key aspects when communicating to a group of subordinates.
- Plan contents well. Arrange thoughts and flow. Rehearse and be convinced.
- Pick a good time. Which ideally could be when team is relaxed, yet attentive.
- As much as it is important to communicate the body of message well - it is important to intersperse it with an happening or an event unrelated to the body. In other words - the border form can be of a different color than the color of the main content! Contrast help.
- For setting a course, to infuse discipline - being subtle could be perceived as Leadership weakness. Be strong, stick to the message, reiterate the point - but keep smiling.
- Occasionally individuals in a group could pose questions - which could take you away from the main body. Let them know that you will address later since there is an agenda you would like to proceed with.
It is important to time each group address well. If there exists possibilities for certain news to spread; rather than allowing dissemination of unsolicited rumor, be swift to engage.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Why distance; Distances Organizations?
Do we see such Disconnects in Organizations? A leading Management thinker C K Prahlad in one of his recent thoughts, mentions about how companies talk about 'growing' in emerging economies - but their structure, processes and people all are seemingly HQ centric! So the talk continues but the real investments continue to happen at HQ. When questioned, organizations seemingly come out with more rationalization and justification.
It is so often we see in corporate functions; typically to deal with Emerging markets, organizations would send its leaders from its headquarters to India or China or Brazil? Nowadays its usually the expats who are sent back. How I wish I can un-learn my decade long absence.
How about the other way round? Are leaders appointed in India, China or Brazil - and then the MNC's call on them to decide on their strategy for emerging markets?
We keep hearing many thoughts on ‘decentralized’ leadership, the ‘local CEO’ models. For me it all bogs down to the following:
a) Can the local take a call on investing?
b) Can the local run his or her own budget?
c) Can the local appoint a ‘local’ vendor?
Needs additional thoughts…
It is so often we see in corporate functions; typically to deal with Emerging markets, organizations would send its leaders from its headquarters to India or China or Brazil? Nowadays its usually the expats who are sent back. How I wish I can un-learn my decade long absence.
How about the other way round? Are leaders appointed in India, China or Brazil - and then the MNC's call on them to decide on their strategy for emerging markets?
We keep hearing many thoughts on ‘decentralized’ leadership, the ‘local CEO’ models. For me it all bogs down to the following:
a) Can the local take a call on investing?
b) Can the local run his or her own budget?
c) Can the local appoint a ‘local’ vendor?
Needs additional thoughts…
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Love of Music
Time magazine recently featured an interview with a Piano Maestro: Lang Lang. Wherein when asked about what other musical genre did he like other than classical; He said, he also loved Hip-Hop! I have liked Hip-Hop too from a musical standpoint. When its said, Music has no boundaries, it is true to the essence.
Every country, region has some form of music or another. Instrumental to vocal to classical styles to modern - music lives on.There are classical lovers. There is choir music. There is rock to Hip-Hop. But if you are lover, hate for modern need not be. Not loving is fine.
Classical artists migrating to more popular genres is common. But are all successful? In world of music - not going the beaten path is appreciated. How about two distinct genre of artists coming together and collaborating. We would have heard in concerts etc. wherein regional instruments have played together with western instruments. And then there is another aspect about an artist redefining oneself. How often do you find the second album sounding similar to the one first one?
So here's what I like:
Rock most forms, Hip-Hop, Rap, Occasional Country.
Ghazals, Hindi film music, Carnatic, Bhajans & Abhangs, Occasional Hindustani, Qawalli.
Not knowing a genre is fine, Love for Music is what it is.
Every country, region has some form of music or another. Instrumental to vocal to classical styles to modern - music lives on.There are classical lovers. There is choir music. There is rock to Hip-Hop. But if you are lover, hate for modern need not be. Not loving is fine.
Classical artists migrating to more popular genres is common. But are all successful? In world of music - not going the beaten path is appreciated. How about two distinct genre of artists coming together and collaborating. We would have heard in concerts etc. wherein regional instruments have played together with western instruments. And then there is another aspect about an artist redefining oneself. How often do you find the second album sounding similar to the one first one?
So here's what I like:
Rock most forms, Hip-Hop, Rap, Occasional Country.
Ghazals, Hindi film music, Carnatic, Bhajans & Abhangs, Occasional Hindustani, Qawalli.
Not knowing a genre is fine, Love for Music is what it is.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Ubuntu: African term
I came across this term in Africa, 'Ubuntu', from an article on Leadership. It was a conversation with Linda A Hill, professor with Harvard, and who has extensively researched on the subject of leadership.
In brief this is summed up by the saying 'I am because we are'.
It opened up a thought. Leadership is:
- Ownership
- Instill Belongingness
- Lead but from behind
it may seem contradictory, but Linda Hill in the same conversation refers to the Shepherd who directs the flock from behind. All sheep seemingly move towards one direction. They do spread out, when it is time to spread out. They all head out when it is time to head out. There could occasions when some sway, but a nudge, a call does the job.
In brief this is summed up by the saying 'I am because we are'.
It opened up a thought. Leadership is:
- Ownership
- Instill Belongingness
- Lead but from behind
it may seem contradictory, but Linda Hill in the same conversation refers to the Shepherd who directs the flock from behind. All sheep seemingly move towards one direction. They do spread out, when it is time to spread out. They all head out when it is time to head out. There could occasions when some sway, but a nudge, a call does the job.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Few thoughts in managing Customer Relationships
Managing customer relationships
- To be Available, To be attentive to requirements, To be Responsible.
- To invite to your house events includes webinars, seminars, appreciation meets etc. To share information about external events which would be of interest.
- To showcase new additions, includes service offerings, new leaders, competency activities, alliances and infrastructure addition.
- To remind yourself - that you are here to serve and serve with intelligence
- Broaden the touchpoints, let more know you
- To be Available, To be attentive to requirements, To be Responsible.
- To invite to your house events includes webinars, seminars, appreciation meets etc. To share information about external events which would be of interest.
- To showcase new additions, includes service offerings, new leaders, competency activities, alliances and infrastructure addition.
- To remind yourself - that you are here to serve and serve with intelligence
- Broaden the touchpoints, let more know you
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Collective Mandate
Opinion of the masses, we tell what you like us to tell
This is an old Russian joke. Stalin decided to see if he was as beloved a figure as his 'well-wishers' seem to insist. So he went to a Moscow cinema incognito. As the newsreels began, the cinema hall turned dark, Stalin was moved to tears when the audience stood up, seemingly on their own, with gusto applauded his image when it appeared on the screen. Stalin was struck by such a public display of affection, but it was cut short when his neighbour leaned down and whispered - ''comrade, we all hate him too. But its safe to stand up and clap''
This is an old Russian joke. Stalin decided to see if he was as beloved a figure as his 'well-wishers' seem to insist. So he went to a Moscow cinema incognito. As the newsreels began, the cinema hall turned dark, Stalin was moved to tears when the audience stood up, seemingly on their own, with gusto applauded his image when it appeared on the screen. Stalin was struck by such a public display of affection, but it was cut short when his neighbour leaned down and whispered - ''comrade, we all hate him too. But its safe to stand up and clap''
Friday, February 22, 2008
Leaf, Branch, Tree - analogy
Turbulence in the corporate world, putting it simply using analogies
Leaf, Branch, Tree - analogy.
When the wind blows, the tree trunk is the least which gets affected, in terms of the movement.
The branches do move, the most to get affected are leaves. Yet not many fall. Sometimes the weak branches do give away, all leaves attached go down with it.
When an organization faces turbulence, offices other than HQ often get affected. But HQ maintains its steady state like the trunk. Layoffs, shutdowns happen.
Understanding the tree, branch analogy can help provide better insight to turbulence's encountered.
The Wheel analogy.
The center of the wheel being the HQ, the rim of the wheel is where the maximum velocity is. Everyone on the rim are moving, but the center seems to remain constant.
Leaf, Branch, Tree - analogy.
When the wind blows, the tree trunk is the least which gets affected, in terms of the movement.
The branches do move, the most to get affected are leaves. Yet not many fall. Sometimes the weak branches do give away, all leaves attached go down with it.
When an organization faces turbulence, offices other than HQ often get affected. But HQ maintains its steady state like the trunk. Layoffs, shutdowns happen.
Understanding the tree, branch analogy can help provide better insight to turbulence's encountered.
The Wheel analogy.
The center of the wheel being the HQ, the rim of the wheel is where the maximum velocity is. Everyone on the rim are moving, but the center seems to remain constant.
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