Saturday, August 31, 2013

Zen and the Art of Staff Morale Maintenance & Coaching Perspective

An article in Economic Times, 'Auto cos go the extra mile to keep employee spirits up - zen & the art of staff morale maintenance' reported how auto companies are trying keep the morale of workers.
This is surely challenging when temp staff have already been shown the door.

Auto Manufacturing involves of 200,000 workers and auto components, another 500,000. That is a huge number. They would also contribute to the pulse of the market, thus influence the market-sentiments!
  • M&M got social worker, 64 year old Smt Sindhutai Sapkal. She shared her views on how to handle ups & downs. Coming from someone like her, who has dedicated her life for the underprivileged, the workers would have felt truly inspired. They infact donated Rs 300K to her trusts. 
  • Other manufacturers are doing the same, inviting such truly eminent speakers who have made a difference. 
This is an interesting trend in corporate world. Hope it does not happen like a corporate-fad. If CSR is a 'responsibility' for corporate, it needs to be shared by every employee of the company, which is #iCSR. It should be an on-going practice....

Also, motivational speakers may not help the senior managers

Crisil's Kudva  conducts training and 'picked a team from across the organisation for a study on skill gaps in Indian banking industry.'  ( I am interested in the report!). Other CEOs are reaching out to the so-called rank & file. In this era of social media, the youth are a lot more clear and vibrant. It makes sense to tap into that energy!!

Still, at the cost of repetition, motivational speakers may not help the senior managers. They may need a modified version of the effort. One big thing that may help and will have a long-term effect on the person & his organisation, it is Life/Executive Coaching. Appropriate coaching intervention will immensely affect the senior managers to go ahead without inhibition or fear of failure. 


Coaching Perspective :
  • Leaders fail because organizations can’t find a way to tell them something is wrong. 
  • Few senior leaders fail solely on their lack of technical skills. Most stall in their careers because they don’t fully adapt their communication style to gain commitment from employees. 
  • Many executives who fail are too rigid in how they communicate and too frequently distracted by issues that are not true priorities
  • Executives must understand their stakeholders and communicate in a way that touches both the minds and hearts of each individual. 
  • Few people can demonstrate the intellectual horsepower to solve complex business problems while simultaneously showing sensitivity and awareness to people’s beliefs and values. 
  • Senior leaders today have to do both well, with a deep knowledge of international markets and trends. "
Powerful.... 

Courtesy:

http://www.watchlistnews.com/2013/08/31/executive-core-announces-ceo-barbara-singer-cheng-as-recipient-of-highest-honors-in-executive-coaching/

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/india-inc-ceos-reach-out-to-rank-and-file-to-tackle-slowdown-better/articleshow/22151945.cms?curpg=2

Friday, August 30, 2013

Seeking Philosophers for Corporate World

Wow, we may actually have some philosophers working at state govt's animal husbandry & fisheries dept!! Poor animal/fish!!

Unfortunately, the purpose of education (at least in majority of institutions, students) is just securing a job. Let us not blame it on colonial hang-over...

Over the last one week, I had opportunity to listen to two exceptional speakers... both spoke of Indigo children. Perhaps, when they grow up, we will have more genuine philosophers.

As for the purpose of education, it is surely 'Character', at a holistic level. There are educational institutions working on such ideals too.

Thanks Anurag, for raising these questions. IF more people like yourselves seek philosophers, the candidates & their institutions will catch up... 

What is your #PhilosophyQuotient? 

Master's Voice : Work is Worship, Duty is God 

Link to the article in Live Mint:  
http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/xtzyinQ5EElHhnTM4yiauI/Seeking-philosophers.html
 

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

No morning walkers today, being a holiday or holy day ?

Very early in my career, a good friend helped me to re-define my life goals. He would often say, the real proof of financial freedom  is when we have the luxury to go to a beach/mall/temple/gym on a week day, at a time of our preference and at a pace that enables us to enjoy...! 

I don't forget to say a silent gratitude to the couple and of course my #HiC (higher consciousness, Master, God) when I am able to do some of these things... for I am living my dream!

Today is Krishna Janmashtami. School holiday, and perhaps for some offices/establishments. That may be the reason I did not find most of the morning walkers today ! Either they were getting the extra sleep or making it holier by praying?! I walked 'an extra mile', in solitude, mentally remembering my #HiC on this holy-day!

Yesterday, some TV channels were promoting programs lined up for the 'auspicious day', all negative, silly, useless for mind, body & soul !

Simple physical exercise also helps us mentally ( you know well, why) & spiritually ( by activating the chakras). 

Let me make today holier by 'nama smaran' ( chanting divine name), and moving around (to burn fat) and some seva (service), for  'Manava Seva is truly Madhava Seva'

Monday, August 26, 2013

A coach for an MBA? - The Hindu A Coach's Perspective

Very insightful article, for all budding MBAs.

Agree, MBA is a big decision for a candidate, and his family. Wish all pursue same after some years of work-ex., to make it more useful & effective. Then it becomes 'adult learning', else it continue to be academic, class-room discussion, with students unable to relate to situations/issues/opportunities at work-place.

With ref to this article, a candidate should not confuse between a parent-like guide, a mentor, a counselor or a Coach, for Coaching is never prescriptive. And a parent/mentor/counselor may give suggestions or ask leading questions. Ideally a candidate should keep 'admission-coaching'(=counseling) separate from Executive/Life Coaching.
The coach should be someone who has no 'stake' in your success - so not a relative, colleague, friend, teacher, et al. Look for only an accredited coach.


It would be a great service if all our MBA institutions explored what coaching can do for their students. Every PG student, whether a CA, doc, engineer, or philosopher/psychologist/sociologist or even an IAS... will benefit if they are able to get a coach early in his/her life. Life, personal & professional, will be more fulfilling!

Schmidt ( Google) : 'Every needs a coach' - Video Fortune    
Blissfully!
 
A coach for an MBA? - The Hindu

Friday, August 23, 2013

Life in A Volvo, Metro, 'Local'

Got this from a Coach-Mentor/Trainer, with the title  
Bodhisattva in metro
(This is one of the beautiful aspects of my Coaching Experience). Don't miss.

I have re-christened as dedicated to Bangaloreans, who commute in Volvo buses & Mumbaikar ('local' trains, though nothing local about it, for eg., Virar Local!) and all others who avail public transport, by choice or otherwise!

We go about our day-to-day activities with what Master calls, "Castor-Oil-Face"! Esp at the end of the day... whether a corporate executive/self-employed/unemployed/artist....
 

One person could ignite the reaction in this video. That is power of One. 

Public transport, commuting to/from work would be so different if we could 'just laugh it off'. We would reach home so light & with a  shining-face!

Blissfully!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Dominate Your Industry: How to Become the Best in Your Field | Entrepreneur.com

Very inspiring post. Must read....

# When you have some experience, select a mentor.  
My suggestion would be, when you are at the start of your career, get a mentor. 
When you have gained experience (5-10 yrs), a stage at which we accumulate all self-restrictive stuff into our lives, GET A COACH.


Check out the original post: 
Dominate Your Industry: How to Become the Best in Your Field | Entrepreneur.com

5 Keys to Making Your Internal Coaching Service a Success | Jenny Garrett

Getting an accredited (#1)  Coach and, continued learning (#2) are very critical.
Reputation (#3), track-record,  coaching outcomes, coaching experiences (#4) are very important to sustaining any coaching relationship. 
Can an internal coach, who I presume is part of the organisation, be really effective? 
Will each coach not bring his/her own creative inputs into the art & process of coaching? 
A transparent process may hamper the coach. 

Surely, the defined outcome will enable ROI of the initiative.

The larger question is : Is internal coaching better than external coaching ? Or is it subjective ? Can the internal coach be neutral and have a zoom-out vision of an external coach. Also not bogged down by corporate culture and practices ? 

5 Keys to Making Your Internal Coaching Service a Success | Jenny Garrett

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

A tiger, A Hunter, A Bear And A Fear

"Once in a forest, a hunter, on being chased by a tiger, felt tired and climbed up a tree. There was a bear sitting on the top of the tree. The tiger was waiting under the tree as it could not climb up. It was very hungry, so it wanted to gobble up the hunter. It requested the bear to push the hunter down, so that it could kill him and appease its hunger. The bear refused to do so, saying that the hunter was its
guest and it was its moral duty to extend hospitality to guests. But, the tiger continued to wait under the tree.

After some time, the bear started to doze. Noticing this, the tiger addressed the hunter, "O
man, I am very hungry. It does not matter whether I eat you or the bear. I will go back once my hunger is satiated. The bear is dozing. So, push it down without delay. I will eat it and spare you." The man did not have the morality of even the bear. He thought he could escape from the clutches of the tiger by offering the bear as bait. So, he committed the ungrateful act of pushing the bear down. As luck would have it, the bear, as it was falling, caught hold of a branch, climbed up and saved itself from the tiger.

Then the tiger said, "O bear, you should never believe the human beings. This hunter tried to harm you, though you were kind enough to give him shelter and protect him. So, without further delay, push the ungrateful wretch down, I shall devour him".

But the bear said, "I have done my duty. Each one has to face the consequences of his own actions. I will not harm him just because he tried to harm me."  
--- --- ---
Points to Ponder:
  • Animals attack, kill or eat only when hungry. Tiger has no specific preference for the meat of man or bear. (can we claim to be so ? How addicted we are to taste, over health & well-being?) No wonder, moneys have a problem to our claim, 'we evolved from them', as they see no evolution :)
  • Do we really treat guest as per 'Athithi Devo Bhava' ( guest is like God) ?
  • Can we think of situations when we deviated from morality, used bait and was ungrategul... all by choice ? Not just at work, but also outside...
  • How trustworthy are we, human beings... crown of all creations ?
  • Can we resist our tendency to 'give it back' to anyone who harm us ? Can we just stick to our duty and leave the consequences our of our area of focus ? Whether we believe in Doctrine or Karma/Newton's 3rd Law, or not ?

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Coaches in the game of life | The News-Press | news-press.com

“A coach bridges that gap between knowing and doing. It’s not about willpower; it’s about priorities. It’s about peeling back the layers to find out what your priorities are and why.”

Check out the link: 
Coaches in the game of life | The News-Press | news-press.com

CEOs Just Want To Get Coached - Forbes

Study by Stanford & The Miles Group... It makes a huge difference to hire an external, accredited Coach.

Must read... all CEO's, potential CEO's

CEOs Just Want To Get Coached - Forbes

A related post http://www.ispeaklifecoaching.com/coaching-the-ce/



Monday, August 12, 2013

7 Sleep Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs | Inc.com

Good Morning ! Hope you had a great sleep last night & fresh for a beautiful day ahead....  

Sharing something simple & very basic. Some of you may feel it is a bit too simple, or silly :)
I am of firm opinion things are always simple, we tend to complicate it!
Also, solutions to most complicated 'problems/opportunities/situations' (#POS, I use in my Coaching situations, as these are our own perceptions)

The key point is if I am able to get a 6-7 hours of good sleep, I have "arrived" in life. If I am not able to, the reason could be personal, professional, community, family, ambiance (home/bedroom), health (abused body/not eating right & well, ill, allergic, stressful, etc).

A "simple" yardstick if I am on track with my life (#holistically") is, check if I am able to get good sleep, night after night. The solution to this is within my hands. Take the initiative & responsibility, and fix it, immediately.

The author has listed out 'seven habits that will help to get a better night's sleep and boost  productivity during the day.' My favourite is the 7th.:
7. Write down the three best things about your day--and three things you plan to tackle tomorrow. (or variants thereof, I must add!)

Great leaders did that. You are already 'great'. But to shift from #Great to GOOD this may help more. Maintaining a diary is a healthy habit and very therapeutic. Try it out. 


Have a fantastic day !
To read the post , 7 Sleep Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs | Inc.com


Saturday, August 10, 2013

Get the Most Out of Executive Coaching - Steven Berglas - Harvard Business Review

-->
Great post…


Indeed, unless the coachee is ready to commit himself to the coaching intervention, the effort will have no effect.  Also, ‘when a person acts in response to extrinsic motivators — the promise of money; the threat of punishment — commitment to a behavior is short-lived’.
Any coaching initiative, as such should not be transactional, in terms of expected outcome. It could be short-term solution to an urgent problem or opportunity, but the larger purpose of the coaching engagement should be, not transactional, but transformational.

1.     1. Ask yourself, "Cui bono?" ("as a benefit to whom?"). Even if we make conscious effort to remember this mantra, our mind/ego will take control and we will forget this, when most needed. Another modification to ‘cui bono’ could be, ‘what is for the highest good, for me & others”. That goes beyond our petty ego and artificial, self-imposed restrictions.
2.     A Cheerleader coach is an oxymoron. Period!
3.    Participation Vs. Commitment – we could be mere spectators, or passive on field or active, committed. It is our individual choice. The more active & committed we are, the coachee is ready and the outcome will surprise the coachee & the coach. For the purpose is highest good, holistically! 

Check out the article:
Get the Most Out of Executive Coaching - Steven Berglas - Harvard Business Review


Beating auto slowdown: Rajiv Bajaj, Pawan Munjal and other CEOs give their prescriptions - The Economic Times

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Agree with & glad that Mr. Rajiv Bajaj is not seeking any short-term measures to artificially provide temporary ‘life’ to the automobile market. Indeed Government needs to look at a larger, sustainable model for long term development of the industry, and employment. Auto companies need to be able to innovate to handle such cyclical and unexpected developments.

Mr Bhargava is spot on.. ‘Auto companies will have to do things differently’. Just Innovate! (I agree, easy to propose, but different to do!)

Govt should realize bulk of transport operators & related manpower, are almost at bottom of the pyramid. They are yet to realize the huge potential to make a difference to this community. While manufacturers like TML, M&M will seek tax concessions, Govt should look at this segment with lot more empathy.

Just as Hero is launching new models ahead of the festive season, riding on good monsoon, Toyota should launch India-specific models and at affordable price-range.

Beating auto slowdown: Rajiv Bajaj, Pawan Munjal and other CEOs give their prescriptions - The Economic Times

Monday, August 5, 2013

Dilemma of Pricing: Purple Cows and commodities

Reading the blog-post by Seth Godin, this line caught my attention:
"If you tell me that price is the only thing that matters to customers, I respond that nothing about this product matters to them."

Seth is spot on when he says, "We sell commodities by choice." This is applicable even if we are part of one large corporate entity, with limited scope to be entrepreneurial !

After my corporate stint, couple of things I have got into are based on several factors. My deep interest, pssion, etc., also not easy to get 'commoditised'. Not something anyone (competition) can copy & paste.

The idea is not to raise entry barriers... But genuinely stand out! That is my dream & all efforts are in that direction. Whether it is Life/Executive Coaching or training to bankers or interaction with PG/business management students.   Hence no dilemma in my pricing :)

Seth's Blog: Q&A: Purple Cows and commodities