Gender Diversity

Everyone is talking of diversity, these days

particularly of gender diversity 

we often hear laments 

of  how the fair sex 

is not adequately represented 

on the board or senior levels of management 

Studies have shown that performance

in terms of many parameters - economic and otherwise

is a lot better when the workforce is diverse 

also you find more "out of the box' thinking 

and effective team working 

amongst diverse work teams!   

So will replacing men 

with men like women solve the problem? 

Why is it believed that aggression & ruthlessness

are hallmarks of effective leaders? 

If we are to have more  women

why not those with  the big  natural strengths of women 

of compassion, concern, empathy and intuition?  

At senior levels, what perhaps most needed 

is men with with enhanced soft skills 

and more women, not alpha male caricatures

but those with genuine feminine attributes 

who'll lead more from the heart rather than the head!  

Time Out

 

Webinars galore to understand 

a pandemic that disrupted lives 

and changed our ways of working 

more of working from home 

and less of face to face interaction 

Having discussed threadbare 

and worn the hat of  futurist 

time now for less of prediction 

and more of action!     

Action to assuage feelings 

of alienation, fear, insecurity 

ensuring health, well being 

of those physically working at work place 

A little later, when we have practiced sufficiently

what we have preached and discussed 

we can meet again to exchange notes

on what worked, what didn't 

but for now, how about a time out?  

Leading Without Authority

Being a leader, exhibiting leadership qualities 

happens not in text book situations, classrooms

but at actual work spots-  coaching & guiding the key

getting out of the box and aiming for competencies

two to three levels above your current level.... 

Growth not a choice, but a mandatory requirement 

exposure to various areas, competency management 

laced with affability and humility

will enable taking others along- a skill 

so essential for a leader!  

If in HR, go back to basics

always ponder on "How can I uplift people

do something for them ? " 

get rid of the urge to be "Peacocks in suits" 

the thought that you are "God's gift to mankind" 

avoid being manipulative with false promises!

"Credibility" is the key word 

for HR and the management 

many IR issues stem from 

lack of communication

not sharing organizational truths  

Let the child in you be alive and kicking 

be accessible, not take yourself  too seriously

be open to constructive criticism

pursue hobbies, satisfy inner needs 

it helps you expand, meet life challenges!  

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by Bija Training  on 24th October 2020 featuring Mr K. Padmakar, Director HR BPC.

Shaken Employee

While coming back to work post covid
the previously confident employee
has become a shaken employee
unsure, dreading his future

Studies show more people  are now working online
that their productivity has increased manifold

This may seem like a matter to rejoice
yet, some thought as to why this is happening
may unravel interesting reasons
requiring suitable compassionate action
from the employer, by HR 

Experts suggest the increased output
has more to do with insecurity
than enhanced love for the job
it is more about losing one's job abruptly
there are other concerns as well
like the disrupted education of children 

This is the time for reassurance
compassion, emotional support

Employers would do well
to provide counselling, ally fears
give reassurance, show the plan and way forward
have meditation time,  relaxation time at work

Seeds are to be sown now
for restoring shaken employee to his confident self
enable a bounce back, for taking bold
steady steps towards the glorious days
of a thriving  business and economy....

Retrospection Time (Aftermath of Corona Crisis)

It is retrospection time
for individuals
on how their lives
have gone this far

Equally important for corporates
to introspect on proclaimed objectives
lines mouthed for the media
and real time intentions
practices on the ground....

Tips on handling business
on handling 'people'
spread easily across the globe
with East lapping up
everything  the West does
so it's all about profits, profits at any cost
down sizing/ smart sizing/ right sizing
pink slips at the drop of a hat!

Poaching when needed
discarding the moment you don't anymore
past contributions forgotten
plight of employees be damned! 

" Our people are our greatest assets"
"Customer is the king"
"We value all our stake holders"
"CSR and environment, our top priority" 

Perhaps the introspection
will lead to a realization
that slogans need to be
assimilated and imbibed
not just in letter
but in spirit as well!

May the setback be the trigger
for a new beginning for corporates
with focus on genuine love
for people, society, environment
less focus on bottom line, top line
more on serving, meeting needs
and earning fair profits...

NB: CSR  refers to corporate social responsibility