Very rarely do you come across
someone who can touch your heart yet leave you more thoughtful than you were
before they came by. Actor Rahul Bose is one of those few people who have this
amazing ability to strike a chord with an entire audience.
He was the speaker at the recent
event of the XLRI-GMP 2012-13 leadership
series here. As a person who has donned many hats including that of a National
level rugby player to that of an actor turned director, Rahul Bose had a lot of
unique and fascinating experiences to speak of.
These are the lessons learnt over a
lifetime but imparted in less than 2 hours to a bunch of B-school students who were
looking for a good leader to emulate. And here he was - an unassuming man
with the heart of a volcano and the eyes of, well in his own words, an
assassin.
Extracts from the speech
The Personal is the Political
What would you like your best friend
to say about you at your funeral?
What are those three things which you would
want to be known for?
Once you have identified those
qualities make it your moral compass - that serves to guide you in taking
decisions.
Remember, the Personal is the Political- every decision you make, every leader you elect would undoubtedly have the very qualities that you cherish.
Remember, the Personal is the Political- every decision you make, every leader you elect would undoubtedly have the very qualities that you cherish.
Lessons from rugby
Focus
The hotter your heart gets, the
cooler your head should be. Remember, in rugby, it always helps to have the
eyes of an assassin and the heart of a volcano. Focus on the ball and not the
player. The minute you lose focus, you have lost the game.
Appointing Co-Leaders
There are times when thou shall
enter bullshit territory- grey areas where you summon little expertise. At such
times set your ego aside and appoint co-leaders- people who can lead when you
can't. Never hesitate in pointing out a co-leader. Trust me it feels much nicer
than it sounds. As a leader, you should lead from
the front, but sometimes take a step back too- watch your team perform, encourage
them and step in only when required.
Quash that ego
When in doubt, ask. If the other
team has the expertise that you don't possess, take it in your stride, go over
and inquire how it is done. Chances are that they will be willing to help.
Empathize
In rugby, huddling just
before a match always has a huge impact on the psyche of the player. Learn
to empathize with your team mates. Watch them play; learn with them
and in the process get to know them. It is a win-win situation, and who knows?
If you are lucky, you might win some friends for a lifetime.
Lessons from acting
Envision
As the ‘C’EO, you have to ‘see'
it, smell it and plot the path line to the virtual chamber. See in your mind’s
eye, yourself being teleported up those invisible steps. But what if you can't
visualize? What if you have no clue about what needs to be done? Three simple
words can come to your rescue- I don't know. By simply admitting
the truth you can allow others' ideas to flow out.
Team Dynamics
Remember it is crucial that the
team gels well. The dynamics should work out. A team's fit is a delicate
affair. Go for the 2nd best player if you must, because if egos clash, the team
is finished. And if you as the leader, can invest your time and energy in
her, and provide her the encouragement she needs you can make her the best
player there is. Being compassionate and taking an interest
in your teammates can make all the difference.
Lessons from Social Activism
Never Over promise
When you are out on the field helping
people, do not ever over promise. Because if you do that and do not
live up to your words, then the people who believed you in the first place will
not trust another person who offers to help them. You tend to over promise
because you believe you can deliver. But it is mainly so because your ego is
larger than yourself. Always remember that worse than the
death of the body is the death of hope. So
think twice before you make a promise and always under promise but try to over
deliver.
The Purpose
Always ask yourself the reason why
you do what you are doing. It can be about your job or anything else that
matters to you. Is that reason still valid? If it is, then by all means
replenish it. But if the answer is no longer a convincing ‘Yes’, it is time for
you to move on.
Acknowledge the less privileged
Wherever you go, do remember to
acknowledge the Invisible Indians-the auto rickshaw wallahs, the
security guards, the paan-wallahs, the lift operator. Address them by their
name. The minute you do that they cease to exist as a cutout figure. The simple
act of putting a name to the face transforms them into a solid person in
3-dimension. You would be surprised to know -the fact that they matter to you,
matters to them.
Rahul was also accompanied by his
friend and fellow director, Mr. Prawal Raman, who obliged to share his insights
on leadership and what makes one stand out from the rest.
Prawal's 2 cents
See the rationale in your decisions
As a leader, if you have belief in
your actions and can rationalize your decision, your team will stand by
you. People generally look for conviction in their leaders, and if you can
achieve that, rest assured your team will abide by your instructions.
Inculcate trust and
confidence
Learn to trust your teammates.
Instead of chiding them for a mistake committed, try to encourage them to do tasks
at which they can excel. Your confidence in them will in turn make them more
confident in what they do.
Just be nice
When you work as a team, treat
everyone equally. Never raise your voice against anyone and don’t let others do
so either. By creating a great atmosphere to work in, you would have your team
mates looking forward to working with you.
Needless to say, it was by far one of the most outstanding
leadership talks that I have attended at XLRI.
Thank you Rahul Bose and Prawal Raman
Anu Girija Senan
GMP Co2013
