Jesus said, “Before you try to
remove the speck from your neighbour’s eye, ensure the speck in your own eye is
taken off.”
Man management needs tact,
patience, sympathy and empathy. It doesn’t mean that the manager has to be
docile or inactive. He has to be proactive. He has a job on his hands. He has to accomplish what is assigned to him
within the timeline set by his superiors or the system. There is no way out of
the impasse. If you think you can accomplish everything by yourself you are in
a fool’s paradise. You cannot be the lone ranger. Everyone needs someone.
The subordinates are clever. They
grow in their smartness as time progresses or as the generation shifts to the
next. They take advantage of your good senses to remain idle. They know very
well if they choose to do little or nothing, nothing is to go wrong for
them. They know their boss would somehow
get the job on hand done without their intervention as he has no alternative if
he proposes to retain his job.
Our parents had nothing when they
began their life. They gave us whatever they could much beyond their means. We
had something to begin with. We had means. We have ensured that our children
have a better deal. But it is a global phenomenon. You are not unique. Everyone
has means. Today they can chuck off their jobs on a whim and they won’t starve.
Fear was the key when we were
working. Fear is not the key today.
Look at your Mummy. A fantastic
woman. A multitasker. A great cook. Who loves her husband, children and her
mother. She has no demands for herself. She strives for the family. But how
many are like her? Very few, life tells us.
This is micro.
The macro is where you are. The
environment you are in.
Just as Mummy cannot change her
parents, her husband or her children – of course there are legal methods
available to alter the situation that would be equivalent to a major critical
surgery where the outcome would be unambiguously unpredictable – you are in a
situation where you will have to manage with the resources you have. You have
no choice. Perhaps you could hand over the pink slip at will, but when you do
it with a flourish you have to understand that someone somewhere waits with a
similar fate for you.
We have a curious mix in the
banks today. The staff is well educated. They may even be better than you in
every respect. As they are well off they can hit it off spectacularly without
the well paid job they have.
Fact is, you need them.
Enforce discipline you must. They
would have to conform and learn to conform if they shirk.
But you are not the ancient Head
Master who had roamed the corridors with an iron hand and the sword, nee, the
baton or the rod. We had feared him, never respected him. However modern times
signify that those golden days are over.
Now, the pertinent poser.
You would have to marshal the
assets you have wisely. You can laugh with them. But they have to know you are
the boss. But never boss them or give them the impression you are bossing them.
Never be subjective. You have to be objective. Take them into confidence
wherever possible. It doesn’t mean you have to share the confidential with
them. Let the confidential stay confidential.
Never shout at them even when
they exceed the limit according to your perception. Never fire away at them
after office hours. You have to respect their private space. Never be angry
with them or shout at them in presence of others. It saps their ego. You don’t
have to break their ego to get things done. You have to wisely make their ego
play its part to get things done and resolve issues. It is like cricket. The
batsman employs the power the bowler unleashes to hit a Six effortlessly. It is
nothing but patience and talent.
Display your anger softly. I can
assure when you shout it generates negative vibes. Negativity unlocks cold anger – they cannot
retaliate in the open and in turn invites subtlety in their response – that
paves the way for the downfall of their tormentor who in their eyes would be
the most hated person on earth.
Praise them wherever it is due.
Praise them for even little or minor things. Acknowledge them.
But you have to be firm when you
tell them to do their job or to act.
They have to be pushed into a slot where they cannot get away without
compliance. It is delicate. Ensure you are not breaking the thin thread of
friendship or normalcy when you do that. Be a good listener. Smile.
Cinema is the willing suspension
of disbelief. Real life is no different. Be a sport and suspend your
perceptions when the need arises. You could be wrong.
People have to learn they have to
pool their resources or capabilities for the good of the organization. For,
without the organization no one has any locus standi when they are within. The
organization sets the sights. You have to forgo your own self respect for the
sake of the organization.
You have to reengineer yourself
before you set out on the expedition to reorient your coworkers or
subordinates. Keep your eyes and ears open. Have the magnanimity to learn from
others and in fact the lowest on the pyramid. They can teach you quite a lot.
Accept that however much you know your knowledge is limited. People respect
your chair, not you. You are nothing but an insignificant cog.
Please understand nothing is
permanent in the world. Everything is transitory or transient. Everything is
cyclic. The one on top rides down to the bottom. He would ascend again. Employ at
once dynamism and flexibility. But temper your act. Be kind.
Never be overconfident. Remember
pride goes before a fall.
Finally have quality time with
family. Your mind has to be clear. You have to be focused and yet you must
unwind yourself as much as you can. As
you drive around enjoy the nature and its serenity. It takes a load off. It is
bliss to bask in the magnificence of nature. It’d transform you. The transition
would alter you dramatically into a brand new being.
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