Learning from leaders: Management tips

a) Walk the talk - Everybody needs to do what they speak . All their actions should demonstrate what they have been telling. This creates respect and trust among people which is most critical while leading a group. It is like when you are going on a war , the soldiers should have full trust on the decisions taken by the general and walking the talk creates that.

b) Remember Names – The best way to bridge the bond between two persons is to remember the person’s name and always address by the name. Jon Schlemmer had talked with me once in a round table conference – I was not even in his business – and then after two years we have a get-together. I enter into the party and people are already there . Somebody comes and taps me in the back and says “Hi Abhishek,This is Jon Schlemmer…How are you doing?”. Of course I knew him but that one line had me as his fan for the rest of the time.


c) Same side of table – One thing ,I have learned is that while you are trying to discuss or convince someone…and there is a clear differentiation of role, then the best way to make him feel comfortable and cut the gap of a leader and subordinate is to sit beside him and not across the table. This is a small thing but goes a long way but makes one comfortable if you communicate the right way.

d) Communicate – There is no substitute to this. Everybody knows how critical this is , but most of the leaders fail to do this. Your vision, goal, values have to be hit upon the employees again, again and again – till everyone speaks your language and this is shortlived. So it is critical to understand that its not over after once or twice. I have seen few companies but GE does it best. There are a 1001 ways where the GE brand, its values , vision hits you everyday…..This is again a Jon Schlemmer message where he was the only leader sending business updates globally every month and believe me its effective.


e) Never take exceptions – This is from Vinayak. It could be a matter of 50Rs or 100 Rs but if some expense is not to be reimbursed as per company policy then it should not be approved. You approve for one person and such cases never stay isolated and the reason would be sighted down the line sometime. You can tell the person, if he wants he can do it personally for him but not through company.

f) Language – As a leader , always speak the language everyone understands.


Learning from mistakes