When Stephen was invited to deliver Pre-dinner talk for bank officers in a staff training college he was excited to deliver presentation. Stephen was given an opportunity to choose the topic and he instantly chose ‘leadership development’ as he was passionate and confident on this topic. He was a reputed teacher and trainer in the area of leadership development. Stephen was comfortable with the topic. However he prepared the content related to banking also as the leadership development was meant for the senior executives in the banking sector.
When the D-day came in Stephen broke the ice and began the presentation. The response was not extra-ordinary. The mood of the audience was not upbeat as expected. Since Stephen believed in taking the feedback, he sought feedback from the training coordinator about the presentation.
The training coordinator was tactful in giving feedback. Over the discussion it revealed that Stephen delivered presentation the way he delivered for students. Usually when students are taught in academic institutions, there is need for emphasizing on concepts followed by case studies, examples and interaction. In teaching it is more of preaching and sharing knowledge. However, when it comes to training senior executives what is needed is to share experiences rather than giving theoretical concepts. Training also involves converting existing knowledge into skills as the bank executives have already possessed the knowledge of the topic. Stephen failed to differentiate between teaching and training and failed to analyze the audience needs effectively. It resulted into an average performance.
The second mistake was that Stephen added too many slides during presentation with lot of research findings and quotations and most of the time was spent in slide show and the audience lost the touch with the speaker and interest as the interaction was less and information was more. It was a kind of information load to the audience. Teachers have the attitude to share lot of information, ideas and knowledge while the trainers have the art of delivering through visuals, interaction, with anecdotes, examples, storytelling and humor. Stephen delivered presentation like a preacher and teacher not like a trainer who activates and energizes the audience so as to make the presentation effective.
The third mistake was the timing of the presentation. During pre-dinner talk the executives have already been exhausted with other activities as it was evening time. Stephen failed to add humor in his presentation and failed to quickly connect with audience. Had the presentation been during morning time the audience would have been charged up easily to listen to several theoretical inputs as they start the day fresh. However in pre-dinner talk, the audience was already engrossed with activities till evening. And charging up the audience and during the post lunch and evening is indeed a Herculean task.
The fourth mistake he made was to deliver continuously without giving any pauses and gauging the body language of the audience. No doubt, Stephen had tremendous knowledge but he should have allowed audience during his presentation with pauses. Pause will help the audience to understand, appreciate and applaud the speaker. His presentation was like a running commentary without any let-up.
During presentation it is essential to gauge the body language of the audience and change the strategy accordingly. For instance, when the audience feels bored with content, it is time to switch over the content to couple of examples and anecdotes. Else it is advisable to make them participate by shooting them with questions, “How many of you agree with this information?” Posing questions will make the audience alert and get into the presentation process effectively. Interaction is the key to effective presentation, when the audience happens to be small.
Therefore whenever you are invited to deliver your presentation, find out the timing, share your experiences by adding humor if it happened to be post lunch and evening. Assess the body language and change your strategies accordingly. Above all, you need to differentiate between teaching and training. Good luck.
The End
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Benjamin Franklin's Greatest Soft Skills
“If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing.” - Benjamin Franklin
Usually we find leaders like Alexander the Great and Abraham Lincoln doing extraordinary things but not writing enough intellectual material during their lifetime. We also find philosophers like Socrates and Plato not doing extraordinary things but writing lot of intellectual material leaving for the mankind to think and practice. However, Benjamin Franklin (Ben) was one of the few exceptional leaders in the world who was not only a writer leaving lot of intellectual contributions to the mankind but also did extraordinary things in various capacities in his lifetime providing lot of space for others to write about him. Ben was blend of both words and deeds.
Ben’s character has been built on the virtues and values crafted by him. He followed all these throughout his life. The list of these skills can be called as soft skills in the contemporary context. These skills can also be called as employability skills as every employer looks for these virtues and values.
Every recruiter looks for certain values, virtues, skills and abilities in potential recruits. The expectations and requirements of the employers are rising with the rapid growth in technology. Although technology is a boon to mankind it has become a bane as well due to the rising complexities and uncertainties in the world. The organizations are constantly innovating and evolving themselves in order to stay ahead of others. It is possible only through right selection of people who have basic virtues and values apart from skills and abilities. In this context, it is essential to explain briefly about Benjamin Franklin’s biography.
Ben’s Brief Biography (1706-1790 AD):
“For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.” - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. He was a multifaceted personality who had the uncanny ability to write as well as to achieve successfully. He was a soldier, writer, thinker, inventor, statesman and politician. He was one of the founding fathers of America. Ben was ambitious and intent on self-improvement right from his childhood. He learnt throughout his life. He invented stove, lightning rod and bifocal lens
Because of his multifaceted personality Franklin has been honored on coinage and currency. Many educational institutions, organizations and places have been named after him because of his outstanding contributions in various capacities. His photo appears on postal stamps as well is a tribute to this legendary leader. Franklin was awarded with honorary degrees in 1753 by both Harvard and Yale University. He was also awarded with honorary doctorate by Oxford University in 1762 for his scientific accomplishments.
Ben was fondly called as Dr. Franklin. He was curious about the things around him. He published ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac’ under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders. His writings influenced many including Andrew Carnegie and Dale Carnegie. He was the brainchild behind self-improvement and personality development books. He was the first American to write autobiography. Ben died on 17 April 1790 leaving trail behind for the mankind.
Ben’s Soft Skills:
“Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.” - Benjamin Franklin
He had passion for learning and growing. He rightly quoted, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” He always championed to open up minds and be receptive to new ideas. The same can be observed from his quote, “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.” He inculcated right attitude, personality and behavior through continuous learning. He was almost self-educated without formal education.
He was a good listener as it was evidenced by his quote, “Not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own and more is to be learned with the ear than the tongue.” Listening is one of the traits of effective leaders. With his negotiation skills, he persuaded the French to support American Revolution. He successfully demonstrated his diplomatic skills.
Ben never believed in wasting precious time. He was a very good time manager. Else he would not have achieved all these things within his lifetime. Ben’s slogan was “Time is money.”
He was a risk taker with entrepreneurial bent of mind. He was a net worker and motivator who emphasized on self-improvement. He was an excellent communicator. He built successful teams and led from the front whether he set up franchise system of printing shops or in politics. He was a skillful negotiator and diplomat. All these skills of learning, listening, time management, team building, leadership, listening, negotiation and communication skills fall in the category of soft skills. These skills are much sought after by the employers currently. Therefore, these can be called as employability skills.
Ben listed 12 virtues to follow and declared them to his friends proudly. One of his friends a Quaker criticized him for not having included humility which was essential for everyone and especially more for Ben as he was always boastful. Subsequently Ben included humility as the thirteenth virtue in the list thereby making thirteenth virtue. These 13 virtues of Ben can be called as soft skills and also as employability as the potential recruiters are looking for these values.
Ben stands for success. At 17 he was penniless and at 42 he was wealthy. It could happen because of his 13 virtues. Let us look at the thirteen principles listed in his autobiography which are worth following for becoming all-rounded personality. Follow these skills regularly with each skill for a week continuously to integrate and ingrain within your personality. These virtues build right attitude and personality thus bringing out behavioral changes for your personal and professional success:
1. Temperance: Eat not dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have it's time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at accidents.
12. Chastity: Be chaste in matters with the opposite sex.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Interpretation of Each Virtue:
“It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness and I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” - Benjamin Franklin
Each virtue of Ben is substituted in the present context as:
1. Temperance: Eat and drink within the healthy limits.
2. Silence: Always talk meaningful and avoid gossips.
3. Order: Organize yourself properly.
4. Resolution: Set your goals firmly and proceed with energy and enthusiasm.
5. Frugality: Don’t waste anything unnecessarily.
6. Industry: Don’t waste your precious time. Always employ and engage yourself productively.
7. Sincerity: Have integrity and honesty.
8. Justice: Always be fair and just.
9. Moderation: Lead balanced life but not with eccentricity.
10. Cleanliness: Always be clean physically and present yourself professionally.
11. Tranquility: Don’t bother for external disturbances arising out of external forces and factors beyond your control.
12. Chastity: Maintain purity. Good character.
13. Humility: Be simple, humble and assertive
Conclusion:
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” - Benjamin Franklin
Ben was a legend in the history of America. He had fascination for innovation. He was respected initially because of his scientific inventions and accomplishments. Humility is the hallmark of Ben. Although he was immodest in his initial period of life, he reinvented himself and became simple and humble.
Ben was an altruist. His virtues and values depict the present day soft skills and employability skills. These are essential forever as long as the human civilization survives. Ben walked the talk throughout his life. He was a trailblazer. Several American leaders follow the ideals and ideas and the virtues and values of Benjamin Franklin. It is time we cherish his ideals and ideas and follow his virtues and values for global peace and prosperity.
Usually we find leaders like Alexander the Great and Abraham Lincoln doing extraordinary things but not writing enough intellectual material during their lifetime. We also find philosophers like Socrates and Plato not doing extraordinary things but writing lot of intellectual material leaving for the mankind to think and practice. However, Benjamin Franklin (Ben) was one of the few exceptional leaders in the world who was not only a writer leaving lot of intellectual contributions to the mankind but also did extraordinary things in various capacities in his lifetime providing lot of space for others to write about him. Ben was blend of both words and deeds.
Ben’s character has been built on the virtues and values crafted by him. He followed all these throughout his life. The list of these skills can be called as soft skills in the contemporary context. These skills can also be called as employability skills as every employer looks for these virtues and values.
Every recruiter looks for certain values, virtues, skills and abilities in potential recruits. The expectations and requirements of the employers are rising with the rapid growth in technology. Although technology is a boon to mankind it has become a bane as well due to the rising complexities and uncertainties in the world. The organizations are constantly innovating and evolving themselves in order to stay ahead of others. It is possible only through right selection of people who have basic virtues and values apart from skills and abilities. In this context, it is essential to explain briefly about Benjamin Franklin’s biography.
Ben’s Brief Biography (1706-1790 AD):
“For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.” - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1706. He was a multifaceted personality who had the uncanny ability to write as well as to achieve successfully. He was a soldier, writer, thinker, inventor, statesman and politician. He was one of the founding fathers of America. Ben was ambitious and intent on self-improvement right from his childhood. He learnt throughout his life. He invented stove, lightning rod and bifocal lens
Because of his multifaceted personality Franklin has been honored on coinage and currency. Many educational institutions, organizations and places have been named after him because of his outstanding contributions in various capacities. His photo appears on postal stamps as well is a tribute to this legendary leader. Franklin was awarded with honorary degrees in 1753 by both Harvard and Yale University. He was also awarded with honorary doctorate by Oxford University in 1762 for his scientific accomplishments.
Ben was fondly called as Dr. Franklin. He was curious about the things around him. He published ‘Poor Richard’s Almanac’ under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders. His writings influenced many including Andrew Carnegie and Dale Carnegie. He was the brainchild behind self-improvement and personality development books. He was the first American to write autobiography. Ben died on 17 April 1790 leaving trail behind for the mankind.
Ben’s Soft Skills:
“Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.” - Benjamin Franklin
He had passion for learning and growing. He rightly quoted, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” He always championed to open up minds and be receptive to new ideas. The same can be observed from his quote, “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.” He inculcated right attitude, personality and behavior through continuous learning. He was almost self-educated without formal education.
He was a good listener as it was evidenced by his quote, “Not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own and more is to be learned with the ear than the tongue.” Listening is one of the traits of effective leaders. With his negotiation skills, he persuaded the French to support American Revolution. He successfully demonstrated his diplomatic skills.
Ben never believed in wasting precious time. He was a very good time manager. Else he would not have achieved all these things within his lifetime. Ben’s slogan was “Time is money.”
He was a risk taker with entrepreneurial bent of mind. He was a net worker and motivator who emphasized on self-improvement. He was an excellent communicator. He built successful teams and led from the front whether he set up franchise system of printing shops or in politics. He was a skillful negotiator and diplomat. All these skills of learning, listening, time management, team building, leadership, listening, negotiation and communication skills fall in the category of soft skills. These skills are much sought after by the employers currently. Therefore, these can be called as employability skills.
Ben listed 12 virtues to follow and declared them to his friends proudly. One of his friends a Quaker criticized him for not having included humility which was essential for everyone and especially more for Ben as he was always boastful. Subsequently Ben included humility as the thirteenth virtue in the list thereby making thirteenth virtue. These 13 virtues of Ben can be called as soft skills and also as employability as the potential recruiters are looking for these values.
Ben stands for success. At 17 he was penniless and at 42 he was wealthy. It could happen because of his 13 virtues. Let us look at the thirteen principles listed in his autobiography which are worth following for becoming all-rounded personality. Follow these skills regularly with each skill for a week continuously to integrate and ingrain within your personality. These virtues build right attitude and personality thus bringing out behavioral changes for your personal and professional success:
1. Temperance: Eat not dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have it's time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at accidents.
12. Chastity: Be chaste in matters with the opposite sex.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Interpretation of Each Virtue:
“It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness and I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.” - Benjamin Franklin
Each virtue of Ben is substituted in the present context as:
1. Temperance: Eat and drink within the healthy limits.
2. Silence: Always talk meaningful and avoid gossips.
3. Order: Organize yourself properly.
4. Resolution: Set your goals firmly and proceed with energy and enthusiasm.
5. Frugality: Don’t waste anything unnecessarily.
6. Industry: Don’t waste your precious time. Always employ and engage yourself productively.
7. Sincerity: Have integrity and honesty.
8. Justice: Always be fair and just.
9. Moderation: Lead balanced life but not with eccentricity.
10. Cleanliness: Always be clean physically and present yourself professionally.
11. Tranquility: Don’t bother for external disturbances arising out of external forces and factors beyond your control.
12. Chastity: Maintain purity. Good character.
13. Humility: Be simple, humble and assertive
Conclusion:
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” - Benjamin Franklin
Ben was a legend in the history of America. He had fascination for innovation. He was respected initially because of his scientific inventions and accomplishments. Humility is the hallmark of Ben. Although he was immodest in his initial period of life, he reinvented himself and became simple and humble.
Ben was an altruist. His virtues and values depict the present day soft skills and employability skills. These are essential forever as long as the human civilization survives. Ben walked the talk throughout his life. He was a trailblazer. Several American leaders follow the ideals and ideas and the virtues and values of Benjamin Franklin. It is time we cherish his ideals and ideas and follow his virtues and values for global peace and prosperity.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Training the Leadership Talent - Prof.M.S.Rao
“A business short on capital can borrow money. But a business short of leadership has little chance of survival.” - Peter Drucker
Currently some companies are struggling for their survival due to recession. It indicates that there is dearth of leadership talent across the world and urgent need for honing the same. Warren G. Bennis rightly put, “Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.” Both the failing and struggling organizations need to realize that it is more of leadership rather than managerial challenge.
Recession has thrown several challenges across the world. But when viewed positively, recession offers more opportunities than threats. With an intention to cut the costs the organizations are in a hurry to axe on training and development. It is indeed a retrograde step.
In fact, it is the right time for companies to concentrate on training and development as during peak times they are all busy with booming economic activities. Now it is the time to cool off from overheated work activities.
Engage the employees actively in learning and development as it prepares the ground for booming period. It is like grooming the employees ready for a bullish period. If the budget is not adequate, engage the senior managers and leaders from within the organization in taking up the training programs for their employees so that they get in close touch with their employees in the name of training programs. They get to know the practical problems faced by the employees at the lower level as well. It engages the senior staff actively and briskly for institutional building and organizational development rather than being concerned about recession. The employees too appreciate the good gesture of their employers for widening their mental horizons as well as for not firing them during downturn. Since employers handhold their employees during downturn, the employees will extend their hands to their employers during upturn. It promotes long term bonding between employers and employees leading to better productivity and performance and employee loyalty.
If organizations feel that it is inevitable for budget cuts, they can cut down expenses arising out of hiring external facilitators and trainers and bank on existing in-house experts in building strong leadership potential.
During downturn the organizations should upgrade the talent by engaging employees constructively and creatively. Instead of fighting against their employees they should take the support of their employees and fight against recession. They should explore other areas and avenues of cost cutting.
The secret behind the success of several global companies is their continuous investment in the learning and development. These companies focus more in innovation and creativity during downturns and reap rewards during subsequent upturns.
We encourage unemployed individuals going for higher studies and courses during downturns. Similarly organizations should encourage their existing employees to prepare ground for organizational growth and prosperity as it is the right opportunity. Instead of treating training as an expense the companies should treat training as an investment and hone the skills of their employees.
The End
Currently some companies are struggling for their survival due to recession. It indicates that there is dearth of leadership talent across the world and urgent need for honing the same. Warren G. Bennis rightly put, “Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.” Both the failing and struggling organizations need to realize that it is more of leadership rather than managerial challenge.
Recession has thrown several challenges across the world. But when viewed positively, recession offers more opportunities than threats. With an intention to cut the costs the organizations are in a hurry to axe on training and development. It is indeed a retrograde step.
In fact, it is the right time for companies to concentrate on training and development as during peak times they are all busy with booming economic activities. Now it is the time to cool off from overheated work activities.
Engage the employees actively in learning and development as it prepares the ground for booming period. It is like grooming the employees ready for a bullish period. If the budget is not adequate, engage the senior managers and leaders from within the organization in taking up the training programs for their employees so that they get in close touch with their employees in the name of training programs. They get to know the practical problems faced by the employees at the lower level as well. It engages the senior staff actively and briskly for institutional building and organizational development rather than being concerned about recession. The employees too appreciate the good gesture of their employers for widening their mental horizons as well as for not firing them during downturn. Since employers handhold their employees during downturn, the employees will extend their hands to their employers during upturn. It promotes long term bonding between employers and employees leading to better productivity and performance and employee loyalty.
If organizations feel that it is inevitable for budget cuts, they can cut down expenses arising out of hiring external facilitators and trainers and bank on existing in-house experts in building strong leadership potential.
During downturn the organizations should upgrade the talent by engaging employees constructively and creatively. Instead of fighting against their employees they should take the support of their employees and fight against recession. They should explore other areas and avenues of cost cutting.
The secret behind the success of several global companies is their continuous investment in the learning and development. These companies focus more in innovation and creativity during downturns and reap rewards during subsequent upturns.
We encourage unemployed individuals going for higher studies and courses during downturns. Similarly organizations should encourage their existing employees to prepare ground for organizational growth and prosperity as it is the right opportunity. Instead of treating training as an expense the companies should treat training as an investment and hone the skills of their employees.
The End
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
