Philanthropy need not start where work ends. Be a blessing to others at the workplace!!
Fundamental Duties of an employee
The ultimate goal is to reach a stage where you tell your manager what he should be doing
Avoid going to your manager with open questions like- “please tell me what to do”. If you do, you are duty bound to obey :)
Limit the outcomes; go to him with options with their pros and cons and your recommendations on the same
The least you can do is tell the truth no matter what
You will be making mistakes. What matters is what you learnt from them.
If your boss is overloaded or excessively involved in your work ask yourself- “What am I doing wrong?, Am I missing something?”
Teamwork
Try using “We” instead of “I” in team meetings
Have empathy
Democratise information and data- remember, there is no Intellectual Property (IP) rights attached to your work
With new employees avoid using words like- “You do not even know this?”. Instead, encourage them to ask questions
Be accountable for your work and take ownership. People easily know a “kaam chor”
The team is only as strong as the weakest member
Questions?
When somebody asks a question
Listen patiently to what he is saying
Try to figure out what he is trying to convey
Try to figure out the context behind the question
Ask a question if the question is not clear
Not every question is an interrogation. You need not be defensive all the time
When somebody asks a question expecting a “Yes” or a “No”, say “Yes” or “No” first then put your point across
Take a second or two to think what you are going to say- Nobody wants to know your auto-biography
Ask the “Right Questions”
Have principles you live by
Do not try to make everyone happy. You and your team will end up suffering
Saying Yes to everything is an excuse for not putting enough effort
Be transparent with your team and stakeholders
Perform your duties with full ownership and honesty
Say what you mean. Mean what you say
Be objective, fair and consistent in your decisions ( this cannot happen if you try to make everyone happy all the time)
Leadership
One does not become a leader overnight
One does not become a leader by virtue of designation
One can show the qualities of a Vice President (or any leadership role) in his/her responsibilities and actions
Do not let your role and designation limit your thoughts
Sometimes it is more important to make a quick decision rather than taking time making the right decision
Trust your team!!
Before that, make sure you have a team you can trust otherwise you are in trouble
Monitoring is more difficult than doing :)
How do we start?
Anticipate the questions the leader will be asking
Put yourself in the shoes of the leader
Think and act way above your current grade ( do not show ego or attitude)
Show Eagerness to take on new responsibilities
Making an impact
Nobody makes fake copies of Micromax products. You get fake Apple products, not Micromax (no offense intended)
If people take credit for your work it is a STAMP that you have achieved something worth stealing
Put your heart and soul in your work- people should be able to know that it is your work just by seeing it
Focus on IMPACT, not a to-do-list
Do not waste your time on non-impactful activities
If your rating is your main concern your best achievement will be the best rating ;)
As long as your intentions are right do not be scared to make mistakes
Boss Management
Bosses are also human beings
Everyone wants freedom. But freedom always has a price. You need to earn it.
Figure out areas where he or she needs your assistance. They will probably never ask for it
They are also under tremendous pressure (way more than yours), cut them some slack
Do not go to your boss with only problems
Give updates even if it is not asked
Everyone has a weakness, figure out his/her weakness. See if you can compliment it.
Can you help him/her amplify his strengths?
Everybody Loves….
A reliable employee ( after a point reliability >> intelligence )
A proactive employee
A supportive colleague
A colleague who is genuine in thoughts and actions
An empathetic boss
A boss with clarity of thought
Views are personal and are based on the author’s experience.