“Book Review – Resolved 13 Resolutions for LIFE Authored by Orrin Woodward” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Man is a wonderful creature, he is mind, he is heart, and he is will. Those are the three main constituents of man. God has given him a mind, He has given him a heart, He has given him a will whereby he can act.” - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones


I recently read Orrin Woodward’s authored book, Resolved: 13 Resolutions for LIFE with great interest. Orrin Woodward needs no introduction. He is a renowned leadership guru, and is ranked as one of the World’s Top 10 Leadership Gurus. He co-wrote the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Business Weekly, USA Today, and Money Magazine best seller, Launching a Leadership Revolution. The foreword for this was written by Chris Brady, who is recognized as one of the world’s Top 30 leadership Gurus. The book provides the essence of the proven leadership principles of Orrin Woodward. It is divided into 13 chapters. Here is the break up of each chapter:

Chapter 1 deals with purpose; chapter 2 character; chapter 3 attitude; chapter 4 programming the elephant; chapter 5 game plan and do; chapter 6 keeping score; chapter 7 friendship; chapter 8 financial management; chapter 9 leadership resolution; chapter 10 conflict resolution; chapter 11 systems thinking; chapter 12 adversity quotient; and chapter 13 concludes with legacy. In addition, it has Appendix A deals with Washington’s Civility, Appendix B unveils Washington’s Maxims, Appendix C unfolds Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues and Appendix D reveals Edwards Resolution.

The book preludes with three young colonial Americans – George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Jonathan Edwards who symbolized character, tact, and humility respectively, and who resolved to build lives of virtue through the study and application of daily resolutions. They achieved lasting greatness then, not as floating buoys, but by swimming against the current.

Orrin provides a list of 13 Resolutions, of which, the first 4 falls in the bracket of Private Achievements, the following four (from 5-8) falls in the bracket of Public Achievements, and the rest (from 9-13) falls in the bracket of Leadership Achievements.

1. Resolved: I resolve to discover my God-given purpose. I know that when my potential, passions, and profits intersect, my purpose is revealed.
2. Resolved: I resolve to choose character over reputation anytime they conflict. I know that my character is who I am and my reputation is only what others say that I am.
3. Resolved: I resolve to have an attitude of gratitude. I know that by listening to my Positive Voice and turning down my Negative Voice that I will own a positive attitude.
4. Resolved: I resolve to align my conscious (ant) with my subconscious (elephant) mind towards my vision. I know that ending the civil war between them is crucial for all achievement.
5. Resolved: I resolve to develop and implement a game plan in each area of my life. I know that planning and doing are essential parts of the success process.
6. Resolved: I resolve to keep score in the game of life. I know that the scoreboard forces me to check and confront the results, making the needed adjustments in order to win.
7. Resolved: I resolve to develop the art and science of friendship. I know that everyone needs a true friend to lighten the load when life gets heavy.
8. Resolved: I resolve to develop financial intelligence. I know that my wealth is compounded when incomes are higher than expenses over time.
9. Resolved: I resolve to develop the art and science of leadership. I know that everything rises and falls based upon the leadership culture created within my community.
10. Resolved: I resolve to develop the art and science of conflict resolution. I know that relationship bombs and unresolved conflict destroy a community’s unity and growth.
11. Resolved: I resolve to develop systems thinking. I know that by viewing life as interconnected patterns rather than isolated events I improve my leverage.
12. Resolved: I resolve to develop Adversity Quotient. I know that AQ leads to perseverance in overcoming obstacles and setbacks.
13. Resolved: I resolve to leave a legacy by fulfilling my purpose and vision through living the 13 Resolutions. I know that by reversing the current of decline, I provide an example for the next-generation of leaders.


Leadership Takeaways

“True friends give the most when they receive the least.” – Orrin Woodward

• No one can choose the day he was born, but everyone can choose responsibility for discovering why he was born.
• All great achievements must be maintained through passion.
• Whatever a person is doing, he should do with all his might, and eventually doors will be opened revealing his purpose.
• Remember, if a person cannot manage his time, then he cannot lead his life.
• The first principle, never lie, means a person’s worth is his word.
• Producers create value by serving other people’s needs, while exploiters plunder from producers to serve their own needs.
• A person can change either the content or the context of a situation by reframing how he thinks about it.
• Attitude is simply isn’t optional for leaders.
• Leaders address issues head on, seeking to resolve, not inflate, the matter.
• Failure is an event, not a person.
• The conscious mind thinks in words, while the subconscious mind thinks through images.
• When a person develops mastery today, he must expect the pain of the process, along with the pain of criticism from the anti-heroes.
• Friends must have permission to unburden their hearts to one another – a place where they can share their hurts and pains when life gets rough.
• Be the biggest cheerleader for a friend’s success, even when one is struggling personally.
• As a person moves from private achievements to public achievements, he will find his ability to make money increases.
• A leader must surround himself with the right people or he is doomed to mediocrity.
• It’s only when a leader grows throughout life that he attracts other elite leaders into his community, changing the lifetime leader’s role from a leader of followers to a servant to leaders.
• Whether leading a business, church, or charitable organization, the ability to resolve conflict is essential.
• Many people feel they are not smart enough to succeed, but typically, the most successful people are not the highest scorers on an IQ test.
• Pain is overcome through the continuous focus on one’s purpose.

Orrin refers several global personalities such as John Wooden, Colonel Harlan Sanders, Peter Senge, Jim Collins, Viktor Frankl, Billy Durant, Sam Walton to name a few. He has put in a lot of efforts in researching, and writing the book. The book is an indication of Orrin’s passion to make a difference in the lives of others.

The book goes to the core by outlining 13 priceless resolutions, which are nothing but 13 habits for success and happiness to make a remarkable difference in your life. These are the rungs on a ladder, helping a person climb from where he is to where he desires to be. Precisely, all 13 Resolutions are 13 pears of wisdom from Orrin. In addition, it outlines diagrams to capture the key contents quickly, and provides boxes that contain key ideas and insights.

The book helps you achieve success and happiness. It is written in simple and straight language so that anybody can read, understand, and apply these leadership principles for achieving all round success. Precisely, it is a book for all times! It is worth investing your time. You can gift it to your friends who would thank you forever.

Here are the links to know more about Orrin:

http://orrinwoodwardblog.com/

http://leadershipgurus.net/leadershipgurus30.php

http://iabusa.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/iab-top-10-small-business-awards/

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com/

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

© 2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com/ This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

“What is Leadership Decay?” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” - John F. Kennedy

Are you hardwired with your old successful leadership practices and principles? Do you think you will still succeed with your old leadership tools and techniques? Then you are trapped into leadership decay. It is time to know leadership decay prevent yourself from decaying.

What is Leadership Decay?

Leadership decay is about context and situation. People often think that what worked them to be successful previously will be relevant to achieve further success in future. In the prevailing rapid changing world, what worked in a particular scenario may not work in other scenarios. For instance, Jack Welch himself admitted that his management styles don’t work in the current context as there are rapid changes in technology. He said, “The Jack Welch of the future cannot be like me. I spent my entire career in the United States. The next head of General Electric will be somebody who spent time in Bombay, in Hong Kong, in Buenos Aires. We have to send our best and brightest overseas and made sure they have the training that will allow them to be the global leaders who will make GE flourish in the future.” In addition, Marshall Goldsmith substantiated the same in his famous book; Mojo What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. It means the leaders who reached to the current position may not reach to the next higher positions if they don’t change their leadership tools and techniques, and secrets and strategies because what worked for them to reach to the present success will not work to reach their next level. He says, people often think and apply the old practices as they were successful in the past thus decaying their leadership.

Leadership decay starts the movement the leaders get into the trap with their old mindset and practices. Hence, leaders must realize it, and overcome successfully to stay ahead of others. Leaders must continuously listen to their people to avoid leadership decay. They must continuously learn, and take feedback to enhance leadership effectiveness. Above all, they must learn to change, and reinvent constantly with latest technological tools and techniques to remain relevant, and to succeed in this cut-throat competitive world.

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

© 2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

“Padma Bhushan for Vijay Govindarajan” - Professor M.S.Rao

Vijay Govindarajan needs no introduction. He is affectionately called VG. He was ranked #3 on the Thinkers 50 list of the world’s most influential business thinkers. He is the Earl C. Daum 1924 Professor of International Business and the Founding Director of Center for Global Leadership, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH USA. Here is his CV:

• Received President's Gold Medal for obtaining the first rank nationwide in Chartered Accountancy, India.
• Received MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School, where he was included in the Dean's honor list.
• Received Doctorate from the Harvard Business School, where he was awarded the Robert Bowne Prize for the best thesis proposal.
• He has authored several international best sellers on innovation and execution with prestigious global publishers.

He is India’s pride who has made a huge difference through his innovative ideas such as Housing for Poor @ $300, and intellectual contributions globally. His “three-box approach” which emphasizes managing the present (Box 1), selectively forgetting the past (Box 2), and creating the future (Box 3) is unique and interesting. His work can be characterized as using innovation to solve complex social problems. His research, teaching, and consulting therefore address critical needs of India. Here is a list of his outstanding achievements and contributions.

VG’s Achievements and Contributions to India

1. He encouraged GE to develop the MAC series of portable ECG machines in India priced between $500 to $1000 (The U.S. ECG machines cost upwards of $10,000). ECG is used to diagnose heart problems-- the biggest killer in India. The MAC series of ECGs have helped the rural poor in India. Even more importantly, the MAC series of ECGs are now sold in over 90 countries. GE has made India their global center of excellence for portable ECGs.
2. He wrote the seminal Harvard Business Review (HBR) article that introduced the concept of reverse innovation (co-authored with GE CEO, Jeff Immelt). Reverse innovation is any innovation first adopted in a developing country. Surprisingly, such innovations defy gravity and flow uphill to rich countries. GE’s $500 ECG is an example of reverse innovation. Harvard Business Review rated reverse innovation as one of the ten big ideas of the past decade. His book on Reverse Innovation will be published on April 10 by HBR Press. (www.innovationreverse.com). Based on very strong pre-orders for the book, HBR Press believes that Reverse Innovation will surely hit the New York Times Best Seller List and Wall Street Journal Best Seller List. These are very high honors. This kind of visibility should further help the cause of solving the wicked problem of poverty through the help of business and their ability to come up with breakthrough innovations.
3. He has worked with American multinationals over the past 30 years: He has worked with over 25% of Fortune 500 companies (You can see the full list of his consulting clients on his web site). He has persuaded these companies to invest in India to contribute to India's economic development. For instance, Deere opened an R&D center 5 years ago in Pune - based on his work with them. They recently introduced Krish Tractor for the small farmer in India - a runaway success.
4. An article in HBR has led to a global movement to design a $300 House For The Poor. Companies like Tata and Mahindra & Mahindra have taken up this challenge. He recently held a $300 House Prototype Design Workshop at Dartmouth. He invited 3 very senior Mahindra executives for this workshop. Mahindra and other Indian corporates will surely mobilize their efforts to design a house for the poor.

Padma Awards

Padma Awards, the country's highest civilian awards, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are given for ‘distinguished service’ (Padma Shri); for ‘distinguished service of a high order’ (Padma Bhushan); and for ‘exceptional and distinguished service (Padma Vibhushan). And these awards are conferred by the President at Rashtrapati Bhawan in January every year. These awards are given to citizens of India in the areas of Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service and Public Affairs. However, they are also given to non-Indian citizens who contribute to India.

Padma Bhushan for VG

The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, and is awarded by the Government of India for the people for their ‘distinguished service of a high order’. In 2007, Indra Nooyi, Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo, was honored with Padma Bhushan. And management guru, C. K. Prahlad was honored with the Padma Bhushan. Presently, VG has been ranked as the World’s Third Management Guru. He certainly deserves this prestigious award not because he is India’s management guru but a global Indian who made India proud globally and contributed immensely to India’s growth through his ground breaking idea, reverse innovation. Therefore, I request both Tamilnadu government and Govt. of India to take notice of VG’s achievements and honor this living Indian management legend with the award. It inspires other management gurus and academicians to share their immense knowledge with the world with a view to make a difference in the lives of others.

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Where Knowledge is Wealth

Dear readers,

I would appreciate your comments about this article.

© 2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Publication of Professor M.S.Rao’s Book – Soft Skills for Students: Classroom to Corporate

Dear friends,

I would like to share the successful publication of my authored book, “Soft Skills for Students: Classroom to Corporate” One of the World’s Leading Management Thinkers, Kate Sweetman wrote foreword for this book. And international management thinkers including Vijay Govindarajan (World’s Third-Ranked Management Guru), Frances Hesselbein, Dr. Tony Alessandra, Chris Widener Linda Ackerman Anderson, Patricia Wheeler, Arthur F. Carmazzi, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, and Lenny Laskowski have endorsed this book. Here are the details of the book:

Publisher: Aadi Publications

ISBN: 978-93-80902-90-6

Price: INR 595/- (Hard Bound)

Link to purchase:

http://www.infibeam.com/Books/soft-skills-students-classroom-corporate-prof-m-s-rao/9789380902906.html?utm_term=Soft+Skills+for+students_1_1

About the Book:

“You can give lifetime employability by training people, by making them adaptable, making them mobile to go other places to do other things. But you can’t guarantee lifetime employment.” – Jack Welch

This a well researched book in soft skills describing the significance of soft skills for students to enhance their employability skills. We have more of unemployability than unemployment problem. Although students are smart at technical and other skills they find it tough to grab employment opportunities due to dearth of soft skills. Companies are also firing their employees for lack of soft skills. The book helps:

• Emphasize significance of soft skills for students globally.
• Coordinate among various stakeholders such as industry, campus, faculty and educational institutions for better employability among students.
• Bridge the gap between the classroom and the corporate.
• Students become plug and play recruits.

The book is meant for students, educators, recruiters, researchers, trainers, consultants and all those who have passion to acquire soft skills for their professional success.

I would appreciate if you could read the book and provide your valuable feedback.

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Blog: http://profmsr.blogspot.com

Email: profmsr7@gmail.com

© 2012 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved.

This is an educational blog for free sharing of knowledge, not for commercial use. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://profmsr.blogspot.com This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.