Archive for the ‘Team Building’ Category

As the Olympics wind up, I find myself reflecting back especially on Shaun White’s amazing performance. When he won his well-deserved half-pipe gold in Vancouver under a blizzard of media coverage, even a sober academic like me was jumping up and down, watching the excitement on television. It strikes me now that the business and academic communities can learn powerful lessons from this young Olympian.

In Shaun, a restless spirit that seeks to create its own destiny, not by settling for “good enough,” but by being the best ever.

Let’s examine the management lessons:

Ambition. Successful organizations sometimes become complacent, and, over time, they decay. Remember Polaroid? Shaun didn’t rest on his laurels after he won the gold. He set himself a nearly impossible goal — a perfect score — similar to JFK’s ambition to put a “man on the moon.” When White didn’t have to, he tried a double McTwist 1260. Why is a huge ambition important? Because the thought of climbing a mountain lifts us up in a way the idea of scaling a molehill does not. Does your organization have a huge ambition?

Passion. Obviously, Shaun loves what he does. When you love your work, excellence isn’t an afterthought, it is the only thought. Is your organization passionate about its purpose?

Results. Shaun’s obsession is based on results. He invests the time to create new moves that set a new standard. Does your organization focus on results and doing what it takes to create them?

Innovation. Shaun is an entrepreneur and innovator par excellence. He constantly pushes the boundary and invents new tricks. For him, innovation isn’t a luxury, it’s a way of life. Is innovation part of your organization’s DNA?

Talent. At an early age, Shaun’s talent was recognized by one of his sponsors. He turned pro at 13, before the Olympics even had a snowboarding event. Does your organization pursue talent, attract it and nurture it?

Humility. Even while soaring high on achievement and adulation, Shaun has kept himself grounded, surrounded by family and close friends. The more humble you are, the more you know what you don’t know; you seek to learn. Is yours a learning organization?

Mind-set. This is as important as ability. Shaun exemplifies this, as evidenced in his recent backstage interview on Oprah:

“I wish I could say it was really intense training but it’s a lot of mental preparation. A lot of my sport has to do with mentally being ready to do these tricks and convincing yourself it’s okay.”

Does your organization have the right mind-set for excellence?

America didn’t achieve greatness by tucking in its shirttails or by taking the safe road. This nation wasn’t built by bean counters, insurance companies, or financial institutions. It was built through an unquenchable thirst for innovation. Sure, we praise Steve Jobs and the lads at Google, but we need more of them.

Where are the Shaun Whites to tackle health care or the green challenge?

Politicians and business leaders, it’s your turn. Where you will be in 2020?

“No. Please, I am not the king of the world now nor the number one. I do not believe in all those things. I am the same person as always and I have the good fortune to play in a great team,” said FIFA World Player of the Year 2009, Lionel Messi of Argentina.

I appreciate the simplicity and down to earth attitude of the top player of the world who was seating on the top of the world last night at Zurich.

Believing in a team and appreciating team is a rock-climbing task. To be a champion and to confirm that he is a part of a champion team is a master’s lesson.

We are not able to digest success and sustain success. Most of the people, I have found that they fumble after becoming a successful person. Most of the time, they forget their team and people around them. Messi also committed that he is feeling proud of becoming a part of the TEAM. He wants to give best to his team.

Leadership is always “WE” and “TEAM.”

Lionel Messi knows the rule of the game though he has never gone to a management or business school but he knows the lessons of life.

They met on Boston Common – two men with little in common. One a well-heeled, high-powered attorney, the other a street-schooled, often ignored homeless person.

Rob slept on a sidewalk. Peter had a swank condo in the Back Bay. But every morning they would cross paths here in the park and over the course of several months, actually became good friends, reports CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman.

How did that happen? Such contrasting men, living such disparate lives. You’d think after the weather and box scores they’d run out of things to talk about. And indeed, they did run out.

“So I gave Robert a copy of a book I really loved called ‘Water for Elephants’ and we would talk about that,” Peter said.

Discussing the book became their way of connecting, and a friendship was born.

“And then one day I asked him, ‘What’d you do with the book?’ and he said, ‘I gave it to a fellow over there,” Peter said.

“I knew there were a lot of people who read,” Rob said.

“So it occurred to us that there was an interest out here that could draw people together,” Peter said.

“You’d be surprised by how many people actually read,” Rob said.

About a year ago, Peter and Rob started the Homeless Book Club. The week CBS News visited, the group was dissecting a group of short stories by O’Henry. They meet every Tuesday in a church conference room. Peter buys the books. In the beginning he offered to bring in lunch too, but the members said, “No thanks.” They wanted this to be about more than just another free lunch.

“For me it’s a place to go and escape,” said Donald, a member.

“And to question things,” said Betsey, another member.

“Yeah, I feel more sophisticated,” said Jamie, a member, laughing.

Unlike the others, Jamie, who lives in a roaming house, says he never used to be a reader. His addictions were the priority.

“I picked up the first book and started reading it and I couldn’t put it down,” Jamie said.

Addicted still, only now, to literature.

“If I keep reading, and keeping my mind occupied, I’m less likely to hurt myself in life,” Jamie said.

Testimonials like that are now inspiring other people in other cities, even other countries, to start putting together their own homeless book clubs.

And as for the homeless man who started it all – Rob – turns out, the only reason he couldn’t get subsidized housing was because he had an unresolved moving violation on his record. Fortunately, he knows a good lawyer.

Peter was able to clear up that traffic ticket, which is why tonight Rob is no longer on the streets. He’s housed and working as a church custodian.

SEE YOURSELVES IN PEOPLE AND SEE PEOPLE IN YOURSELVES

We should practice equality at excellent level. We should consider and care people with equality. People should be treated equally with the same affection irrespective of position and power they possess. See the person first then give importance to his /her position and power.

Treat the people as you are treating your own self.

We should become partner of the team instead of a power engine of the team. Remember, by virtue of the position, you are establishing yourself as a leader. In fact, leadership is not displaying your power but showcasing your performance.

Equal treatment is the real triumph of team members.

Partiality or situational favour or conditional approach or approach back up by self interest always breaks down the team spirit. Partiality breaks the harmony and synergy of the team.

Lead with equality and with impartiality.

Dr. Shailesh Thaker has presented token of love to Mr.G. Narayan at the end of the training programme, “Creating In-house Mentor” CEO Coaching Programme on June 6, 2009 at Ahmedabad, India.

In business houses, employees play politics. By politicking an employee breaks down the team spirit. Team is divided into small groups. Small groups become very active and they hold meetings after official meeting. They discuss among themselves, what to do on the decisions which are taken in the meeting. 

Meeting after meeting is an attitude now days. 

In one of my client’s company the General Manager (HR) has put up his Man-Power plan. Quorum has approved the Man-Power plan. It was resolved unanimously. The next day, vice president called junior executive of General Manager HR and directed him not to go ahead in the matter of Man-Power planning. Instructions were passed orally. Decision was taken in meeting and minutes after that, this has been happened. Naturally, junior executive cannot take actions as the top management has ordered him. He followed YES MAN leadership. 

Now think about the performance of General Manager HR. What will happen to his career and performance? 

Groups have small thinking limited to their interest. They never think as a team. 

Junior executive became the favourite man of the top management as he followed what his boss has directed. Organizations have YES MAN. This YES MAN category is very humble, smiling, will never disobey your order. At the back or in absence of boss, they criticize boss very badly. Absolutely unfair language and worst opinion. 

 Lots of such small groups you can find in one organisation. 

Energy is wasted in wrong direction. Team breaks down. Comparatively frank and transferee people suffers. Finally, talent quits the company. 

Employees who have spiritual standards, values, open to the point, absolutely transparent, result oriented and workaholic suffers. Their disappointment level at work place is very high. Everyday, they have war with themselves. Inner noise and outer surroundings are found contradictory. They close the day with ill feelings. 

These all affects on the performance and results. Inner state of mind is not healthy and positive.

These confiscatory situations are found in almost every company. Sometimes top management is aware of this but they ignore it intently. Their profit centre should not be disturbed. They think; who is the most important person for the profit centre? They favour him and after that they throw him out from the team. Top management focuses only on profit. 

Team, values and culture of the company have lesser importance in their eyes even after knowing it.

Albie Morkel was sharing with skipper Dhoni that two great players have walked out of team. Now what can be our stand? Dhoni replied, “We three (Dhoni, Hayden and Oram) can do better. You will influence the team and strengthen the team.”

Dhoni as a leader is showing leadership quality.

Leader always focus on what he has instead of what could be? Most important is to perform with available resources. Secondly, team is more important than any individual. We do agree that Flintoff can change the results but no individual is above team. Albie as a South African knows grounds and pitch. So, he can direct the team. Of course, off the ground. He knows how he can make the team members live and refresh them with local visits and restaurants. Albie also knows his role in the team.

“People imbibe what they see and learn from senior people or people around them,” said N. R. Narayanamurthy, Chief Mentor of Infosys, recently at the time of releasing his book “A better India, A better world.”

Narayanamurthy is sharing his life experience. If I say to my staff members, “I will come at 10 a.m. but you must be here at 8 a.m.” This is not fair. These way things won’t work. While I was working, I used to come at 6 a.m. the reason is that secretaries wake up their children, give them breakfast, take them to school or bus stops, and then take a bus and are here by 7.45a.m. If they can be here then my appreciation for them has to be shown by my being here at 6 a.m. The only way to inculcate any value in younger generation is only if we walk the talk.

Author Julio Melara, a dynamic keynote speaker, was able to learn lessons of life and carry it up to adulthood. “Here is the list of all the jobs you will not find on my resume but lessons that have lasted a life time.” This is from the book; ‘It only takes everything you’ve got.’

Lessons for a life:

· Started cutting grass for a profit at the age 11.

Lesson learned: It is important to give things a clean professional look.

· Stock clerk at local food store.

Lesson learned: Making sure that if I am going to sell something, the merchandise needs to be in stock.

· Dishwasher at local restaurant.

Lesson learned: Somebody always have to do a job that no one else wants to do. Also, most of the people have lots of food on their plates. (They do not finish what they start.)

· A janitor at an office building.

Lesson learned: The importance of cleanliness as it related to image.

· Fry-and-prep cook at steakhouse.

Lesson learned: The importance of preparation and the importance of right presentation.

· Construction helping hand (lug wood and supplies from one place to another.)

Lesson learned: I do not want to do this job for life time.

· Sold newspaper subscription for daily newspaper.

Lesson learned: The job of rejection had to knock on at least 30 doors before I ever sold one subscription.

· Shipping clerk at plumbing supply house.

Lesson learned: Delivering your project or service on time is just as important as selling it.

· Breakfast cook at 24-hour restaurant shop.

Lesson learned: How to do 15 things at once. Also learned about the weird things people like to eat on their eggs.

· Cleaned cars at detailing shop.

Lesson learned: The importance of details. You can pay $ 15 just to wash the outside of the car or $ 50 to clean the car inside and out and cover all the details. Details are pain but details are valuable.

· Shoe salesman in retail store.

Lesson learned: To sell customers what they want and like. Also learned to compliment people and be sincere.

· Busboy at a local dinner.

Lesson learned: People enjoy being served with a smile and they love a clean table.

Every stage of life presents lessons to be learnt. You should have open mind and attitude of learning for growing more or a close mind to stop your growth.

DECISION IS YOURS……

Dr. Thaker was invited as a keynote speaker in the Business Development Conference 2009 in India of UNIQUE MERCANTILE INDIA to lead a business development conference in the states of Orissa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Nearly 1400 marketing officers were benefited by MDP of Dr. Thaker.

Leadership 2020 one day programme was conducted with participative exercises and management games. Programme was supported by highly technical audio-visual aids.Examples narrated by Dr. Thaker were very much appealing and applicable.

Dr. Thaker has touched practical aspects of the business and dropped ever lasting impression on the mind of the audience. How the day had passed away, people came to know just at the time of adjournment.

Chairman Mr. Rajkumar Rai influenced the audience by his address as a chief guest to the conference. Ex-Director Rahul Rai graced the meeting with his presence at Mumbai and Ex-Director Mr. Uttkarsh Rai has encouraged the team by his gracious presence at Ahmedabad.

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