The Hindu Business Line : Understand that you are all totally dispensable

TONNES of money have been poured into training, but many organisations are standing still. Immediately, the `F' word slips out, but "we must remember that failure is a noun, and so the only fear it holds for us is in the meaning we give it," pacifies David Taylor in The Naked Leader Experience, from Bantam Books (www. booksatransworld.co.uk).

"There are three powerful ways to leave failure behind," he adds. First, take control of it by giving it one definition; "I define failure as giving up." Second, remove it, by making it too confusing to understand. And, third, learn from people who have achieved success. Tracing our development over centuries, Taylor notes that the eighteenth century was about `how', leading to inventions; the nineteenth about `where', making new explorations.

"The twentieth century built up to what? What do you do for a living? What religion are you? What do you earn?" What about the current century? It is about `why', says Taylor. How? The key questions are: Why am I here? Do I do what I do? Do I want what I want?

On the private talkback that happens all the time within us, determining the meaning we give to everything, the author writes: "The first sign of madness, is talking to ourselves. The second sign of madness, is arguing with ourselves. And the final sign of madness, is losing the argument." We are constantly filtering information through three major filters — "generalisation, deletion and distortion". Result: "We misunderstand everyone else's point of view." Get rid of the psychobabble, and you would find yourself in "a very powerful position".

Do you know that the word decision is based on the Latin cision — literally to cut off all other options. "Making a decision and then changing your mind a week later is the same as not making any decision at all. Similarly, a decision not carried through is not a decision at all." Remember that your destiny is shaped by the true decisions you make. "And it's not the length of time it may take to make such a decision; it's when you choose to make one."

On focus, here's a snatch from Taylor: "Focus everything you do on achieving your aims. Think about them every day. Yes, want them, but also reward yourself, and be thankful every time you take a step towards them. Remember, when you are clear about who you are and where you are going, life will conspire to help you."

Every page can grip you to the lines, and every line holds some truth, simple naked truth, which makes the book an ideal gift with eyes closed. To reach the truth, the author advises: `Identify the priorities — the imperatives from the important'. Again, he says: "Listen around you, and most powerfully, listen to yourself, every time you make a statement. Is it an opinion, or a fact?"

The book provides a list of ten key features of `the agile company': People at the front line must be able to make the decisions they need to, to delight customers. Everything in your company is geared towards customer service.

Company hierarchies must be accompanied by clear ownership statements — `the buck stops here'. You make fast and true decisions. Everyone in the company knows the big picture, where they fit in and how they play a part in overall success. Know where the knowledge sits, and moves around. People from head office spend time on the front line. Use e-mail replies to best advantage. Be as flexible as you can about the needs of your people. And, understand that you are all totally dispensable.

Oh, no, the last one is too harsh, but Taylor explains: "Your true value, your talents and strengths, your success now and in the future, lies within you, not with a job you happen to be doing, right now." If you don't believe that, he throws a challenge: "Fine, make yourself indispensable. These days it is the fastest way to being dispensable, because people who think they are, and tell others they are, usually are not." An indispensable read.

ManageMentor@TheHindu.co.in

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
CAs are ready to train, but there are few takers

A sitting fee that doesn't stand in law

Water charges and rent in watertight compartments

Everybody has a say in the making of the Budget

Snow White and the seven dwarfs

Understand that you are all totally dispensable

Cartoon