"If you build a network, you will have a bridge to wherever you want to go."- Harvey Mackay
Do you want a career of your choice? Do you want to get your contract executed successfully? Do you want to get noticed as a leader in your domain? Do you want to help others? Do you want to rise above from the rest? Networking is the only mantra for all these questions.
What are Networking Skills?
“It's all about people. It's about networking and being nice to people and not burning any bridges.” Mike Davidson
In this complex and competitive world, to be successful in life, you require both hard work and network. Networking skills are all about being good with others and being helpful for others without expecting anything in return from others. Networking is about sharing knowledge, information, ideas and insights that builds everlasting relationship. Aristotle said very long ago that man is a social animal. He cannot live alone. He needs people to socialize and move forward. Abraham Maslow, in his hierarchy of needs highlighted about the importance of social needs once both physiological and security needs are met. All these things prove beyond doubt about the human beings craving for socialization and affiliation. Networking is subset of socialization wherein all the involved parties can leverage mileage for their mutual progress and prosperity. It is like clapping with both hands for achieving all round success.
Qualities of a Networker:
The networkers have to go an extra mile. They need to possess several characteristics such as being open, receptive, flexible and winsome. They should be good at attentive and active listening skills. They must be able to memorize the names of the people to become close to them and may have to go out of the way to help others. It is an added advantage if they have magnetic personality to attract and network with others. Succinctly, they should think of how much they can give rather than how much they can take from others. Above all, they should have the attitude of gratitude.
Merits of Networking Skills:
"The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own." Bob Burg
Some people have magnetic personality and they attract people and network easily through their charisma. And some people hone these skills. These skills are essential everywhere be it in business, career for achieving all round success. It helps in unwinding ourselves. It also helps in getting to know and appreciate others’ areas of interest.
It helps in survival and success. If you have sound networking you can get the things done by telephonic conversation alone. It helps in getting employment as it is reported that 85% of the jobs are available through networking alone. The concept is known as referral recruitment where the presently working employees of a specific organization refer the people known to them to their employers. It minimizes the costs involved in conducting an interview for employers as well as getting the best talent in a shortest possible time.
How to Develop Networking Skills?
Prepare a list of like minded people irrespective of your industry. Meet them personally and regularly, if possible. If it is not possible, call them over phone and enquire about their well being.
Join in Clubs or associations or forums where you will have better influence and can get noticed. Of course, it is also essential to network with people outside your domain as well. Spend your quality time with people with whom you gel well. Retain the network you already have. It is two way traffic. As you need two hands to clap you also need to reciprocate with response from others without any expectation and anticipation. Below are few tips for effective networking skills.
• Always be winsome.
• Give a firm handshake when you meet people.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Listen attentively.
• Encourage people to talk.
• Find similarities not differences.
• Maintain a separate diary of contact numbers and addresses for future and further follow-up.
• Display natural enthusiasm and energy while interacting with new people.
• Send mails to them on occasions of their birthday or something special that touches them.
• Learn to remember the names and important events about the individuals.
• Strengthen what you have and gradually expand for new links. Don’t lose diamonds when you are in search of stones.
• Be genuine and don’t be phony.
• Build bridges not barriers.
Conclusion:
“Networking is an essential part of building wealth.” Armstrong Williams
In this uncertain and complex world we need to secure ourselves which is possible only through right networking skills. It is a kind of insurance to protect our future by helping and seeking help from others. What goes around will come back to us. Maintain contacts regularly without expecting anything in return. Don’t hesitate to help as well as to seek help so as to grow successfully in your personal, professional and social life.
The End
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
“Humility is the Hallmark of Harika” – Short Story From Prof.M.S.Rao
“To the world, you may just be somebody. But to somebody, you may just might be the world”
Socrates and Harika:
Once a person approached Socrates and said that he wanted to share some information which he heard from somebody. Socrates asked the person whether the information was genuine. The person responded that he was not sure about the authenticity of the information and further added that he had heard from somebody. Socrates further asked the person whether the information was positive. The person responded that the information was not positive but negative. Finally, the Socrates posed the third question whether it was useful to him. The person replied by saying that the information was not useful in anyway.
Finally, Socrates understood the situation and questioned the person, “Why should I listen to you when the information was neither genuine, nor positive nor useful?” It is known as Socrates’ Three Filter Test. In real life also, we find people carrying forward the information which is neither genuine, nor positive nor useful.
Rahul’s Encounter with Harika:
“We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.” - Rabindranath Tagore
First time in his life, Rahul saw Socrates in a woman, by name, Harika who is pure at heart with positive mindset. She is a wonderful woman with simplicity and humility. She is cool, composed and charismatic. She is a smart worker, and very intelligent. Although she has wealth of knowledge, she does not boast of herself which shows her humility.
She has magical smile and is filled with energy, enthusiasm and expertise. She has fire in her belly. She is flexible and adaptable and follows the road less traveled. She is tender at heart. She works in a college as a faculty member and pursues higher qualification as well. She earns and learns. She loves to be independent. She has very good sense of humor. She moves students with her charismatic, magnetic and mesmerizing voice. She is assertive in handling students. She mentors and grooms them to be industry ready.
Harika is a very bold and beautiful woman who has passion for teaching and training. She hails from a middle class family background with a blend of both modernity and orthodox. She has a pure heart with noble thoughts to serve the students. After completion of her degree, she took up teaching as a career as she wants to play a crucial role in shaping the future of students.
She won the accolades from all people in the college within a short span with her dedication and commitment. She took up several activities voluntarily in the college such as counseling the students on various projects. In addition, she began mentoring students about career to take up after completion of their academic qualification. She trained and groomed students on several activities and projects which are noteworthy. To put it succinctly, she is the queen of the college.
Grass and Tree:
“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” - Confucius
When there is a storm the strongest and biggest tree gets uprooted but a simple grass survives by changing its direction in tune with the storm and comes back to normal position after the storm goes away. The tree is very strong with its roots and is not in a position to change its direction. As a result, it gets uprooted. But a simple grass changes its direction through its flexibility and survives from storm. In fact, the simple grass stands taller than the tree in such a critical juncture. It demonstrates its humility and survives successfully from storm. The people those who are successful in the world have one of the greatest virtues i.e. humility. Rahul saw humility in Harika who remains like a grass in facing the storm.
Individuals, Issues and Ideas:
It is rightly said that below average people talk about individuals, average people talk about issues and above average people talk about ideas. Harika is an exception who falls in the bracket of above average individuals. She does not talk ill of others. That makes her different from others. She does not talk of irrelevant issues which are usually raised by average people. On the other hand, she always associates with great people and discusses great ideas and insights. Good books are her friends and great people are very close to her heart.
She has all ingredients to become a global celebrity. Great people are not born elsewhere but they are born among us. But people often fail to spot, accept and admit the same. Rahul admires her, salutes her and wishes her wholeheartedly from the core of his heart.
What Does Harika Stand For?
“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.” - Marleen
Charles de Montesquieu
Harika means Humility. She thinks neither high nor low of herself. She never blows her trumpet. Harika means Agility. She is always lively, cheerful energetic and enthusiastic and being warm and friendly with others. Harika means Responsibility. She takes initiative and accepts responsibilities wholeheartedly without any pressure but with pleasure. Harika means Integrity. She is honest to the core and stands for values and principles. She doesn’t let down anybody. She sticks to her commitments through thick and thin. Harika means Knowledge. She has huge knowledge base which is her strength. She commands huge fan following and respect from students because of her vast knowledge base. She takes feedback from students informally and updates her teaching methodologies constantly. She also updates and upgrades her teaching content regularly. Harika means Assertion. She is neither aggressive nor submissive in behaviour. She protects her rights as well as respects others’ rights without any encroachment.
The sweetest word in Rahul’s mind is not humility but Harika. By the way, do you know the expansion for HARIKA? It is Humility Agility, Responsibility, Integrity, Knowledge, and Assertion. To sum up, Rahul loves HARIKA from the core of his heart because of these hallmarks.
The End
Note: It is only a fiction. Any resemblance to any person is mere a coincidence.
Socrates and Harika:
Once a person approached Socrates and said that he wanted to share some information which he heard from somebody. Socrates asked the person whether the information was genuine. The person responded that he was not sure about the authenticity of the information and further added that he had heard from somebody. Socrates further asked the person whether the information was positive. The person responded that the information was not positive but negative. Finally, the Socrates posed the third question whether it was useful to him. The person replied by saying that the information was not useful in anyway.
Finally, Socrates understood the situation and questioned the person, “Why should I listen to you when the information was neither genuine, nor positive nor useful?” It is known as Socrates’ Three Filter Test. In real life also, we find people carrying forward the information which is neither genuine, nor positive nor useful.
Rahul’s Encounter with Harika:
“We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.” - Rabindranath Tagore
First time in his life, Rahul saw Socrates in a woman, by name, Harika who is pure at heart with positive mindset. She is a wonderful woman with simplicity and humility. She is cool, composed and charismatic. She is a smart worker, and very intelligent. Although she has wealth of knowledge, she does not boast of herself which shows her humility.
She has magical smile and is filled with energy, enthusiasm and expertise. She has fire in her belly. She is flexible and adaptable and follows the road less traveled. She is tender at heart. She works in a college as a faculty member and pursues higher qualification as well. She earns and learns. She loves to be independent. She has very good sense of humor. She moves students with her charismatic, magnetic and mesmerizing voice. She is assertive in handling students. She mentors and grooms them to be industry ready.
Harika is a very bold and beautiful woman who has passion for teaching and training. She hails from a middle class family background with a blend of both modernity and orthodox. She has a pure heart with noble thoughts to serve the students. After completion of her degree, she took up teaching as a career as she wants to play a crucial role in shaping the future of students.
She won the accolades from all people in the college within a short span with her dedication and commitment. She took up several activities voluntarily in the college such as counseling the students on various projects. In addition, she began mentoring students about career to take up after completion of their academic qualification. She trained and groomed students on several activities and projects which are noteworthy. To put it succinctly, she is the queen of the college.
Grass and Tree:
“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” - Confucius
When there is a storm the strongest and biggest tree gets uprooted but a simple grass survives by changing its direction in tune with the storm and comes back to normal position after the storm goes away. The tree is very strong with its roots and is not in a position to change its direction. As a result, it gets uprooted. But a simple grass changes its direction through its flexibility and survives from storm. In fact, the simple grass stands taller than the tree in such a critical juncture. It demonstrates its humility and survives successfully from storm. The people those who are successful in the world have one of the greatest virtues i.e. humility. Rahul saw humility in Harika who remains like a grass in facing the storm.
Individuals, Issues and Ideas:
It is rightly said that below average people talk about individuals, average people talk about issues and above average people talk about ideas. Harika is an exception who falls in the bracket of above average individuals. She does not talk ill of others. That makes her different from others. She does not talk of irrelevant issues which are usually raised by average people. On the other hand, she always associates with great people and discusses great ideas and insights. Good books are her friends and great people are very close to her heart.
She has all ingredients to become a global celebrity. Great people are not born elsewhere but they are born among us. But people often fail to spot, accept and admit the same. Rahul admires her, salutes her and wishes her wholeheartedly from the core of his heart.
What Does Harika Stand For?
“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.” - Marleen
Charles de Montesquieu
Harika means Humility. She thinks neither high nor low of herself. She never blows her trumpet. Harika means Agility. She is always lively, cheerful energetic and enthusiastic and being warm and friendly with others. Harika means Responsibility. She takes initiative and accepts responsibilities wholeheartedly without any pressure but with pleasure. Harika means Integrity. She is honest to the core and stands for values and principles. She doesn’t let down anybody. She sticks to her commitments through thick and thin. Harika means Knowledge. She has huge knowledge base which is her strength. She commands huge fan following and respect from students because of her vast knowledge base. She takes feedback from students informally and updates her teaching methodologies constantly. She also updates and upgrades her teaching content regularly. Harika means Assertion. She is neither aggressive nor submissive in behaviour. She protects her rights as well as respects others’ rights without any encroachment.
The sweetest word in Rahul’s mind is not humility but Harika. By the way, do you know the expansion for HARIKA? It is Humility Agility, Responsibility, Integrity, Knowledge, and Assertion. To sum up, Rahul loves HARIKA from the core of his heart because of these hallmarks.
The End
Note: It is only a fiction. Any resemblance to any person is mere a coincidence.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
How to Build Successful Teams?
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford
With the rapid changing technology, there is growing need to work in teams to leverage the benefits at the workplace. The companies insist people with flair for working in teams. Those who are social and amicable with fair degree of flexibility and adaptability can become successful team members. Team building is a challenging task and it is always easier said than done. Although everyone knows the importance of working in teams individuals often tend to work independently as they have fear of losing their importance and getting their hard work unrecognized. Rather individuals often have apprehensions of somebody hijacking the fruits of their energies and efforts.
What is a Team?
“T.E.A.M = Together everyone achieves more.” – Author unknown.
Team building is process of planning, organizing, influencing, staffing, directing and motivating the members with a common objective of reaching organizational goals and objectives. Organizations are looking at the individuals who can work in teams as the projects cannot be handled by a single individual. The present day corporate environment calls for working in teams to reach the set objectives. It is an active process where people of divergent tastes and temperaments come together to work under a common objective. The two letter word ‘we’ rather than the one letter world ‘I’ is the hallmark of teams. Managing teams is indeed a Herculean task.
Importance of Teams:
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” - Ken Blanchard
There are several advantages in team building such as:
• Teamwork makes ordinary people as extraordinary people.
• It promotes relations among the members by minimizing any misunderstandings and by maximizing productivity and performance through cooperation, coordination and open communication.
• It unlocks the hidden potential of the participating members.
• Team members can bring their varied experiences and expertise to the team building process and the same can be integrated effectively and efficiently for achieving organizational goals and objectives. It will help in having better takeaways. When they go elsewhere for building teams, the same takeaways can be utilized thereby enhancing both the individual and institutional growth.
• Team members learn a lot through team participation as they learn to respect others’ ideas and insights thus widening their knowledge base.
• Above all, there is fun and joy by working in teams.
Process of Team Building:
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.” - H.E. Luccock
Select a team leader who has flair for leadership and team building. Once the right team leader is selected, give free hand to select the team members as per the vision of the company. Build trust among the members by setting personal example. Communicate openly and lay a mission through which the vision can be executed. Allocate the roles and responsibilities based on their strengths and weaknesses. Provide full support to the team members. Whenever they have doubts, clarify and motivate them. In case of non-cooperation among the people find out what bugs them. Emphasize on commonalities rather than differences. Educate about the importance of working in teams and motivate them. Whenever the problems arise always focus on solutions rather than brooding over problems. Encourage risk taking among the team members. Respect failures while execution of the tasks and implore them to learn lessons out of their mistakes and keep moving ahead. Throughout the entire process of team building, ensure that the activities of the team members are aligned with the vision of the company. Offer constructive feedback for their improvement and betterment. Encourage creativity and innovation whenever they are faced with problems. Above all, set personal example by participating actively into the team building process.
There are professional team building consultants and facilitators who can be hired for building effective teams in organizations. They play a pivotal role in assessing the needs of the teams and offers suggestions. It is always advisable to hire these professionals outside the organizations who find out the flaws existing within the teams for providing remedial action. Asking the team building consultants and facilitators within the organization may lead to organizational prejudices which defeat the very purpose of team building.
Tips for Team Building:
“The ratio of We's to I's is the best indicator of the development of a team.” - Lewis B. Ergen
Given below are the few tips for team building.
1. Team builder or leader should know that everyone is unique in nature, abilities and capabilities and adds value in their own way. Realizing this makes the process of team building easier.
2. Clarity of mind of the team builder plays a crucial role in building effective teams.
3. Build trust. Create a conducive environment.
4. Develop emotional intelligence and promote soft skills among members.
5. There has to be an open communication, coordination and collaboration among the team members. At times, little bit of competition should be encouraged among the team members to stir up their minds and to add dynamism and energy.
6. Minimize micromanagement. Micromanagement is a process where the superior involves in close observation and supervision of subordinates. Give adequate freedom to team members to work on their own way and at the same time supervise them.
7. Break the barriers and build bridges.
8. Look for commonalities not differences.
9. Make connections from person to person from mind to mind to heart to heart.
10. The team builder or leader should not have any personal prejudices towards any of the team members.
11. Encourage by giving incentives to the individuals volunteering for team activities.
12. Thank the people who always support the team activities.
Conclusion:
"No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it." - Andrew Carnegie
If communication is the sister of leadership then team building is the brother of leadership. Team building is always easier said than done as it is challenging to manage human egos, emotions and feelings. Stephen R. Covey emphasized the significance of teams in his book ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’. One of the habits of successful people in the world is working in teams. Therefore, people need to develop the mindset to work in teams to reap benefits for themselves as well as for their organizations.
The End
With the rapid changing technology, there is growing need to work in teams to leverage the benefits at the workplace. The companies insist people with flair for working in teams. Those who are social and amicable with fair degree of flexibility and adaptability can become successful team members. Team building is a challenging task and it is always easier said than done. Although everyone knows the importance of working in teams individuals often tend to work independently as they have fear of losing their importance and getting their hard work unrecognized. Rather individuals often have apprehensions of somebody hijacking the fruits of their energies and efforts.
What is a Team?
“T.E.A.M = Together everyone achieves more.” – Author unknown.
Team building is process of planning, organizing, influencing, staffing, directing and motivating the members with a common objective of reaching organizational goals and objectives. Organizations are looking at the individuals who can work in teams as the projects cannot be handled by a single individual. The present day corporate environment calls for working in teams to reach the set objectives. It is an active process where people of divergent tastes and temperaments come together to work under a common objective. The two letter word ‘we’ rather than the one letter world ‘I’ is the hallmark of teams. Managing teams is indeed a Herculean task.
Importance of Teams:
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” - Ken Blanchard
There are several advantages in team building such as:
• Teamwork makes ordinary people as extraordinary people.
• It promotes relations among the members by minimizing any misunderstandings and by maximizing productivity and performance through cooperation, coordination and open communication.
• It unlocks the hidden potential of the participating members.
• Team members can bring their varied experiences and expertise to the team building process and the same can be integrated effectively and efficiently for achieving organizational goals and objectives. It will help in having better takeaways. When they go elsewhere for building teams, the same takeaways can be utilized thereby enhancing both the individual and institutional growth.
• Team members learn a lot through team participation as they learn to respect others’ ideas and insights thus widening their knowledge base.
• Above all, there is fun and joy by working in teams.
Process of Team Building:
“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it.” - H.E. Luccock
Select a team leader who has flair for leadership and team building. Once the right team leader is selected, give free hand to select the team members as per the vision of the company. Build trust among the members by setting personal example. Communicate openly and lay a mission through which the vision can be executed. Allocate the roles and responsibilities based on their strengths and weaknesses. Provide full support to the team members. Whenever they have doubts, clarify and motivate them. In case of non-cooperation among the people find out what bugs them. Emphasize on commonalities rather than differences. Educate about the importance of working in teams and motivate them. Whenever the problems arise always focus on solutions rather than brooding over problems. Encourage risk taking among the team members. Respect failures while execution of the tasks and implore them to learn lessons out of their mistakes and keep moving ahead. Throughout the entire process of team building, ensure that the activities of the team members are aligned with the vision of the company. Offer constructive feedback for their improvement and betterment. Encourage creativity and innovation whenever they are faced with problems. Above all, set personal example by participating actively into the team building process.
There are professional team building consultants and facilitators who can be hired for building effective teams in organizations. They play a pivotal role in assessing the needs of the teams and offers suggestions. It is always advisable to hire these professionals outside the organizations who find out the flaws existing within the teams for providing remedial action. Asking the team building consultants and facilitators within the organization may lead to organizational prejudices which defeat the very purpose of team building.
Tips for Team Building:
“The ratio of We's to I's is the best indicator of the development of a team.” - Lewis B. Ergen
Given below are the few tips for team building.
1. Team builder or leader should know that everyone is unique in nature, abilities and capabilities and adds value in their own way. Realizing this makes the process of team building easier.
2. Clarity of mind of the team builder plays a crucial role in building effective teams.
3. Build trust. Create a conducive environment.
4. Develop emotional intelligence and promote soft skills among members.
5. There has to be an open communication, coordination and collaboration among the team members. At times, little bit of competition should be encouraged among the team members to stir up their minds and to add dynamism and energy.
6. Minimize micromanagement. Micromanagement is a process where the superior involves in close observation and supervision of subordinates. Give adequate freedom to team members to work on their own way and at the same time supervise them.
7. Break the barriers and build bridges.
8. Look for commonalities not differences.
9. Make connections from person to person from mind to mind to heart to heart.
10. The team builder or leader should not have any personal prejudices towards any of the team members.
11. Encourage by giving incentives to the individuals volunteering for team activities.
12. Thank the people who always support the team activities.
Conclusion:
"No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it." - Andrew Carnegie
If communication is the sister of leadership then team building is the brother of leadership. Team building is always easier said than done as it is challenging to manage human egos, emotions and feelings. Stephen R. Covey emphasized the significance of teams in his book ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’. One of the habits of successful people in the world is working in teams. Therefore, people need to develop the mindset to work in teams to reap benefits for themselves as well as for their organizations.
The End
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