Resilience and Challenges of Remote Working

Covid times have thrown up uncertainties 

challenges and unforeseen circumstances

grit and determination required just now

to lead from the front- to spring back

and if possible be in a better place than prior 

In other words resilience has emerged 

as the No 1, most wanted leadership strength! 

Post Covid, remote working a norm, 

with everyone resorting to it

to the max possible extent

looks like it's here to stay

the future, more likely a hybrid version

a combination of both

with a tilt in favour of remote working... 

Many free online courses on offer today

from Udemy, LinkedIn and others

Being responsive to all kinds of changes

will be the key to a happy tomorrow

In a remote working model, Trust is paramount,

building confidence in employees

a feeling of assurance, that you trust them 

Using TACT helps : T for talk, sharing your vulnerabilities

A for ask - How they are doing, what help they want

C for control- Controlling your negative emotions like anger

T for being Truthful: About your expectations,

and honest feedback on their performances... 

To facilitate change, make it smoother and easier

provide infrastructure for working from home- Laptop, chair, whatever 

changes become more acceptable, when you are grateful

of things you still have, in spite of the pandemic 

it helps to be in a happy, grateful frame of mind...

Final thoughts on  virtual meetings 

don't have same standards as in physical office

a dress code, formal body language 

spend initial 5 minutes in small talk, breaking the ice

let people relax, embrace virtual platform-  Just like that!  

Finally, never quit in difficult times 

you not only miss out on opportunities to win

but also the opportunities to learn... 

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by Bija training on 18th August 2021  featuring Mr Willis Langford, Director (HR) Avnet India    

Note:  I recited this poem in the October month 2021 meeting of  the Bangalore Poetry Circle(BPC) 

 

Key Features of an Innovation Culture

Don't pit innovation against anything else

remember, it is not about 'Innovation' or 'Deadlines" 

it is about 'innovation' and 'Deadlines'

we need both, meeting deadline for survival

innovation for growth, for the future!  

Talking of 'Innovation', it calls for

an inherent risk appetite

be ready to take failures in your stride 

ask questions, challenge status quo always!   

Innovation is about the attitude, approach, mindset  

not necessarily radical each time, involving huge investments 

culture it is-  a key ingredient for innovation 

encouraging questions like what? why not? what if? 

Encouraging diversity of talent in your teams 

diversity in experience, education, age, background 

an atmosphere for speaking up, an atmosphere of inclusiveness 

Failing intentionally to derive learning

creating a culture that says" Failure is okay

assimilate the learning from failure and move on"..

is all part of an innovative culture

only ensure- when you fail next time

 you don't fail in the same way!  

The new trends in innovation include gamification

monetary incentives for critical thinking 

creating competition amongst members

for divergent thinking...   

The challenges include personal biases

and the human nature to resist change

another challenge is zeroing in from 

a flood of ideas, choosing the best, right one from many!

The way forward  is modifying syllabus 

of professional courses- inculcating spirit

to accept, face, handle failure 

more of experiential learning and

small micro courses to supplement learning 

How can we get more support, acceptance 

for innovation from managements? 

demonstrating small successes, its savings and benefits 

open doors for  more support, larger investments! 

So there you are friends, go for it! 

undeterred by minor hitches, excuses, complaints

focus on long term ,  focus on culture 

it is the culture of innovation, pervading organization

that  will take you far distances and for longer period!  

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by Bija Training on 4th August 2021   featuring MsShalaka Verma,Director- Customer Success, Microsoft Pvt Ltd

Empathetic Leadership

With the world gone topsy- turvy 

on arrival of Covid 19, this is the time

more than any other, when we need

to exhibit empathetic leadership! 

Empathize with employees, help them learn, unlearn

and cope with the new scenario & current challenges 

understand their context, provide required support 

exhibit your humane side- as they 

struggle with the pressure to deliver!  

Spending time with individual team members 

 understanding problems, issues individual to each one 

and addressing them is the key...

Like, when an employee moved in with parents 

had less space, and appropriate ambiance 

was reluctant to come on video, working on line 

decision taken to appreciate his position 

permitted to speak, without  coming on video  

The connect becomes real and meaningful

when you display vulnerability, share with team 

your concerns and difficulties, trusting them

to pitch in and respond... 

Resort to and rely on "Active listening", 

the fuel of empathetic leadership! 

proactive discussions, joint target setting 

being a bridge between your boss, and team 

will all go a long way in achieving success! 

Empathetic leadership happens 

not from empty slogans, declarations 

but when a paradigm shift in approach 

has happened right at the top

and frittered down effectively

touching everyone, till last employee... 

Yes, covid time is an opportunity 

for introspection and change in approach 

this is the time when empathetic leadership

is most essential, more than at any other time!  

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by Bija Training on 21st July 2021   featuring Mr Vikrant Vinayak, MD Accenture.

Secret of Happiness at Work

An unhappy person doesn't, 

cannot create happy teams

remember, the person who matters most 

for your happiness, is yourself! 

Reasons for happiness at work

vary from person to person

but one thing that is common

which everyone wants is 'Growth'!  

a Buddhist definition for 'happiness' is

the joy of reaching your potential !

Fun can be of two types- 'Challenging fun'

and 'Adulterated fun' 

while running a kilometre or two 

writing a blog is challenging fun 

adulterated fun is like 

 "watched Netflix back to back"  

adulterated fun makes you feel guilty

while challenging fun- Happy!  

You can be assured you have 

"Delight conditions" at work   

when you feel good about co-workers

you complete 70% of "To do list" 

manager provides achievable challenging work

and the support for achieving them!

It's a company with a purpose that fires passion

passion is what you would do 

if money was not an issue 

what you would continue to do, even when

you have a choice to do nothing!

Happy people  are successful people 

unhappy people, even if not leaving you

do not contribute to company

after all, they are not happy! 

Look up the "Daniel Pink Study" 

it reiterates what we discussed so far 

for happiness and motivation

autonomy, mastery and purpose 

score over all other incentives!  

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by NHRD Hyderabad Chapter in February 2021   featuring Ms Namrata Gill VP(HR), Dr Reddys Laboratories, Hyderabad. 

Fresh Look at Targets

 

No point setting impossible targets

when you know that they aren't achievable

instead spend time, engage with people

let them understand the nuts and bolts  

for achieving realistic targets! 

Realistic targets take away need to

window dress, hide real facts 

learn to acknowledge failures

not only to celebrate success!  

How transparent are you about failures?

have once a week reruns, ruminating on

what worked, what did not 

zeroing in on reasons of failure 

and deciding on what support to be extended 

for converting failure to success!  

Stop taking failures personally 

view it as organizational deficiency 

People with different abilities required

at different life cycle of organization 

raring to go mindset at "Start up time" changes to more 

of process orientation, with organizational maturity

Clarity is the key-  Ask, why did I set these targets ? 

now analyze, why couldn't I achieve it? 

failure isn't failure really 

it's information for the way forward! 

As tactical retreats are done by armies 

you strategize, when goals missed in business 

not by setting unrealistic targets

but by realigning for the way forward!  

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar on 17th April 2021  featuring Mr Gerald Jaideep, CEO Medvarsity and Founder Creative Sprout as the speaker.

Breaking Through the Comfort Zone

Steady  performance, using limited skills

without taking any risks, is a good definition

for the state of  comfort zone! 

It is easy to get trapped in the thought

of  working okay, no complaint 

in a routine manner....

This means, the appreciation from others 

become less and less frequent 

until it may disappear altogether...

It takes a Dhoni or Dhirubai Ambani 

to bid goodbye to a routine

that no longer excites, and embrace 

risks/opportunities, away from the comfort zone 

But why do this at all? 

"I am happy in the comfort zone!" think many

To achieve a goal, life's mission 

there is no choice but to

break through the comfort zone!  

Whatever be the goal 

CEO by 2030 or Manager by 2025

modify routines in line with your goal 

see small goal posts as leading to the ultimate goal 

and your outlook horizon changes for good! 

If always focused on the ultimate goal 

the small squabbles and everyday irritants

do not matter anymore....

engage with your partners, take initiative

spend more time working for the holistic target  

The experience of work, from a  holistic mindset

stands in you in good stead 

as you climb up the ladder

as does building trust of your people

through frequent interaction with team!  

For those breaking out of comfort zone 

taking initiative, building teams,

not sweating the small stuff 

not gossiping, speaking behind backs of people

the sky is the limit! 

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by Bija Training on 12th May 2021   featuring Mr V.R. Mahadevan, Advisor & EX Jt MD BGR Energy Systems Ltd. 

 The speaker chose to take on the project manager role even as he  joined as a management trainee overcoming fear of failure and negating an option to work within the comfort zone. 

Tips for Overcoming Fear

As fear moves in to places

where there is poor clarity 

the best way to handle fear 

 is to be clear -  know what you want,

clear on what you see as your purpose of life!

Clarity destroys fear to a great extent

after all, there is no longer fear of the unknown 

since  you know  what you want

you can prepare for it 

be ready to take risks, if needed

you are not taken by surprise! 

Preparation, preparation, preparation in cricket

helped  Dhoni to reach for, and attain success 

The equivalent of preparation in corporates

for managers and leaders is planning! 

yes, it 's planning that is an antidote

to the malady of "Fear of the unknown"   

Unique requirement in the future

would be the ability to deal with the unknown

be it a world wide pandemic, an economic meltdown

political disruption or hostile takeovers...

Time to say goodbye to 

this culture of " taking permissions" 

instead  encourage "taking initiatives" 

Fear promotes silo working

discourages communication 

fear it is, that prevents collaboration 

Banish fear through clarity

planning and flexibility, 

you will then be able to

Connect, Communicate and Collaborate, for success!   

NB: The source material for this poem is a webinar organized by Bija Training on 21st April 2021   featuring Mr Koushik Sarkar Managing Director, West Asia OMYA AG