Monday, June 30, 2008

Art of making new mistakes

I got a call from an old team member, who just called up to confirm something new he wanted to try out. Its good to try out something new, particularly if you are not sure, and you don't know in whose favor the results might go....

He had the same apprehensions... he had tried a few things in the past. Some worked... some didn't... He was even more unsure now because he didn't have the support he earlier had, to make new mistakes... I always used to encourage my team to learn to make new mistakes and do it intelligently so that the risks get minimized...

I try and minimize these mistakes by keeping these few things in mind...

A) whether we have tried this earlier and what was the result...
B) what are the advantages that would work in your favor if you succeed
C) what are the issues or problems that this might land yourself into if it does not work...
D) Does it benefit the business as a whole or only part of it...

If I have answers to them, then yes, i weigh my pros and cons and decide which way to go... If i am convinced this will work and is in line with our overall objective.. its better to give it a try.... the end result, what ever it maybe, ends up giving you rich experience which has not substitute.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Acquired Corporate Personalities

An interesting thing happened...

A Sr. VP who heads our commercial function came heavily down on me with abuses and threats and an utter distaste to the way I was asking him questions on how I could get my work done better. It was a work to me by my boss, another Sr. VP for marketing...

I was unable to understand the way I was been treated and could not remember a single such incidence in my last 14 years of professional life...

I had a colleague accompanying me who reported to a different boss, and he was treated very differently, actually in a very respectful fashion... where did I go wrong...

I was doing my job....

the guy hardly knew me and the contributions I had done to my earlier companies and job role....

the way my team gave me such a heart felt farewell for just 3 years of my association with them....

Well actually the answer lies in something I call Acquired Corporate Personalities (ACP). Its funny like your family, your race, your religion and your nationality, you also acquire certain traits for the boss your work and that stamps you with the kind of person you are expected to be.

I work for a boss who is not regarded well in his circles, because of some basic flaws in his Core, managerial and leadership skill sets. While my colleague used to work for a person who was well regarded for his work, albeit he worked with him for only a few weeks.

It also brings out the senior managers ability to handle pressures and also lead a team, but above all his ability to respect individuals and not assign stamps

The person just lost an opportunity to gain a sound disciple and i just gained an opportunity to look for new masters.