A few days back, I was addressing
a team of Management Trainees from premier B schools. As I reflected on
how life in different in the corporate jungle from my college days, I could
think of 5 lessons corporate life has taught me in the last 22 years of my
corporate journey. I would sum that as CAPPED and hopefully will help people
just stepping into the corporate world with some insights as they prepare for
their journey
C ollaboration - All through our student life we have
been taught how to excel in a competitive environment. We compete and excel in
school, run the rat race to get into the best college, compete against lacs of
students to get into select seats at premier B schools. We get into a corporate
environment from a B school knowing that we are amongst the top 1-2% of the
population and then after a few months we suddenly find we no longer as successful and winning at every
step as we have been so used to. The difference is Collaboration Vs
Competitiveness. In the corporate world, one needs to develop skills to
collaborate with colleagues and ensure the strengths of each individual is
capitalised for a win
A sk - Like me,
every new B school graduate has the dreams of sitting in a cabin, directing
people, telling them how to do as they get into the corporate world. There is a
big picture in my mind and I will tell my team this is what you should do, this
how you will find results...In effect we end up directing. But many times
inspite of very clear cut directions, the expected results does not come. Why?
The reason I have learnt is that as the task becomes more creative and complex
which requires conceptualization, simple directing does not give results. One
has to get buy in. People like to speak. They like to answer questions.
Therefore, Ask intelligent questions. Know in your mind what you want done but
lead people to that by asking them questions and leading them to say in their
own words what you wanted to tell them. the magic then happens. They feel it is
their idea and execution happens with energy and enthusiasm leading to desired
results. The habit to develop is asking intelligent questions Vs simply
directing
P resentation - As I kept stepping up the ladder, I saw
that some of my colleagues even though they were technically or academically so
brilliant, were more successful. there were people who carried an aura around
themselves, an awe factor, a personal charishma - people who were very
successful. What is it that separated these people? I realised that one common
trait that distinguished such leaders was their Presentation skills - the way
they spoke to a group of people - extempore, confidently, getting across
complex things in very simple ways, the way they dressed exuding a personal
charishma. One of my bosses who was extremely successful and is currently South
East Asia Head of one of the largest telcos gave me this mantra - Impeccable
presentation Skills
PE ople - Many a times I have seen people who are
extremely brilliant but skill struggle to touch sussess in the corporate
jungle. All through student life, our success is largely dependant on our own
skills. In the corporate world to my mind only 15% of success can be attributed
to our technical skils and 85% to people skills. I have seen that often people
don't get fired because they are incompetent but because someone in authority
does not like him. Yes, no one can choose his boss but anyone who can manage
his sphere of influence - peers, subordinates and superiors equally well is a
sure shot success in this corporate jungle
D etailing - As we step from B school to corporate,
almost everyone starts with a feeling - I am a born manager, I can lead people.
Very soon reality starts hitting - you start getting fooled, a barrage of
problems - why it cannot be done hits you from your team, false promises which
at the end of period does not materialize. I have realised that Detailing for a
leader is an extremely critical skill - peel the onion till you get to
understand the basic issue, get to the bottom of the pyramid. I have found
success in say defying expected routes while on a market visit. The sales teams
will prepare and want to show you, what they want to show you. Can you decide
which market, which route you will take while on a market visit and defy
expectations. Get into real issues - feel the reality yourself, avoid filtered
information.
To sum up, I have found 5 mantras
for someone just stepping into the corporate world which if developed early can
lead to better success
C - Collaboration Vs
Competitiveness mindset
A - Asking Intelligent questions vs
directing
P - Presentation skills to energize
people around you
PE - People skills vs technical
skills
D - The Art of detailing to feel
the pulse
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