What are you, a Pillar or a Brick - find out..:)

I decided to pen this after reading a post from my friend, Kishore. You can read the article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/do-just-enough-may-answer-kishore-modak.

I describe an organization like a concrete building. The foundation typically is very strong. The guys on the ground better be good. A good organization ensures this. Leaders need to be empathetic to this layer.

Rest of the structure is made of a few but very strong pillars (Actual value adding structure) and everything else is filled up by bricks (largely operational). The bricks serve a purpose, but the structure will not fall, if they don't exist.

The roof, protects the building and it is not a surprise that they get most of the sunshine.

PS : These represent my personal views and not of organization that I work for or worked with or associated with. Share your comments or write to jyosat@gmail.com

THE OPAQUE ORGANIZATION

I started my sales career as a first line manager. My boys executed what we discussed and agreed and I aligned myself to the "goals"  that my regional manager gave me. All of us worked out of one office. Communication was either in the morning or evening when the "boys" came back to office. We worked on a target that came to us in the beginning of the year and vision that was personally communicated by the chairman. It was a world without mobiles and emails. It was the last instance where I lived in a "three layered structure". Every other layer was "Opaque" as communication was not easy.

This year while partying with a friend, he was describing how thrilled he was, as he got a call from his Chairman's office in Boston. The call was to take  feedback on the new organizational goals that was set for the year.

I realized to my surprise, that in the world of Internet and emails, we have made communication channels opaque or selective. Smart leaders are realizing this. They are communicating more directly. They are also being helped by "apps" that allow them to "reach out". They are cutting the "crap" in one direction. Not all have gathered the courage to "listen" in the other direction.

My suggestion - go ahead and "short" the communication channels. There are a lot of smart people and smart ideas out there, that can only help the organization. Don't allow the "noise" to deter you. Spice it with a little "trust" and see the momentum one can achieve.

All views are my own and do not represent any organization that I work or worked for or have been associated with. Send your feed-backs to jyosat@gmail.com

That clumsy strap with a buckle that I hated.

There is a story behind this picture. I am still unsure whether it is right for me to say it all. I will keep it to a bare minimum as there is a take away here.

It was a late night "Nightmare". I pray that nobody has to go through it. A desperate phone call got me to hospital, into the emergency ward. He was lying on a stretcher, screaming, blood everywhere, broken ribs, leg dislocated from the hip, a gash on the throat. I never had the courage to face a situation like this, but there was no option here.

An hour later, with him in safe hands of medical experts, drove down to to the site of accident. The car was a picture of "perfect destruction".

The entire brunt of the impact was on the drivers side. He must have been surely driving. That was a little strange as I had not seen him driving before. A few pictures, a quick discussion with the cops to to complete some documentation, and I was back at the hospital. He was being wheeled into his ward. The pain was still evident in his screams, which became feeble as the doors closed in front of me.

Gazing at the rare sun rise (for me), headed home to wash and be back to speak to the doctors on the next course of action. Other buddies where already there and they gave me my biggest "shocker" of the day.

He was not driving. In-fact the driver got away with some bruises. The difference was the seat belt. He was not wearing it. The impact crashed his knee to the dashboard and he was thrown face first into the wind shield. The result was evident.

It been a year now. I do not start my car until everybody is "belted" in the car. The clumsy seat belt can save lives.  To everybody reading this, "Belt up".

A reason to throw anyone down the balcony

Most organization today encourage employees to post or tweet "stock" creatives promoting the organization's product or idea. This became a debate in one of  our private party, with multiple views on this topic.

I personally hate the idea of my "Friend" in the group posting their organizations ads. It feels more like a Friend that I have called for my private party selling Insurance or promoting some MLM scheme, using the opportunity. I am sure the scene that would have flashed in my mind would be of "throwing him out of the balcony" and the cultured part of me will not call him home again.

Is the behavior resulting from the eagerness to be "loyal" , to be "noticed" or just "pride" in belonging to the organization.

Is this behavior an intrusion into personal space of individuals......or am I missing a point. What does etiquette dictate ?