The Art of Sowing

Credit: Capitol Hill Outsider

There is a famous saying in the Bible, "As you sow, so shall you reap". What is the exact meaning of this proverb? It is very simple. The proverb means that if you sow a grain of wheat, you will reap wheat cereal. If you sow unhealthy seeds, the plants that grow may be weak and spoilt. The Art of Sowing is important in any phase of life.

In the Art of Sowing, one has to keep in mind that just 'sowing' a seed is not everything. Where you sow the seed, what are the conditions it is sown under, and how you nurture it are also vital to the plant you reap in the end. You must be wondering, what has this proverb and talk about sowing and reaping seeds have to do with your business. Well, it has everything to do with your business.

In a company, people are hired to perform specific roles and duties. An employee is chosen based on his skills, experience and knowledge of that particular field. After a few months or years, the employee is promoted. It is a happy occasion for most. The employee might have been eyeing that promotion since a long time, trying to beat his competitors, and trying to do his best at every step to earn it. However, in this race and euphoric moment, the Boss and the Employee tend to ignore, or miss a vital aspect - the ability to responsibly handle the new role.

This one aspect can lead you to a loss, in terms of talent, time, investment et al. Both the Boss and the Employee think about the promotion in terms of Profit and Economics. The power and talent of the employee is sidelined. An employee cannot metamorphose overnight into a pro at the new designation.

There may be an exception, where an employee takes to the promotion with the utmost ease, however, a majority of employees feel burdened, nervous, helpless, and unprepared to deal with the new situation they are propelled into. This is where, you as a senior and their Boss can help them out.

You were the one who hired them, you are the one who promoted them. You are the one who 'sowed' this 'seed'. Now, you are the one to nurture them. It is your responsibility.

You need to work with them to pick up the reigns of the new position. In the first few stages, you need to help them with their responsibilities. All they need is your support and guidance. If you sowed them to be a certain professional, you have to nurture them for them to be the Professional they can be.

This applies even for the employees who are not promoted. You need to communicate, reach out, understand and help your employees to make use of their talent that made you hire them. As a Boss, you need to help your people grow. Your business grows, when your people grow. Your people grow, when YOU help them grow.

Remember, "As you Sow, so shall you Reap".

A Leader for the People

After a hiatus of five years, the population of India once again witnesses and participates in the dramatic decision of voting for a leader who will represent their spirit and needs through the General Elections 2014. India looks to a leader who will be there, for them! A point that arises is, that just like in matters of politics, the same applies to business, corporate offices and companies - of having a leader for the people.

An excellent figure who has set an example of being an exemplary leader is Lord Ram. He existed for Ayodhya, and not the other way around. This is why the citizens of Ayodhya loved and respected their King Lord Ram to such a high extent. When he returned from exile, Lord Ram's subjects lit the way with lamps - which is how the festival of 'Deep'avli gets its name - 'deep' meaning 'lamps'. In contrast, one can see the King Ravana whose kingdom exists for him - Ravana is busy in pursuit of placating his selfishness. A ruler, a leader is looked up to by his subjects. The power to make or break a community, morals, traditions and day-to-day life resides in the leader's hands.

A leader leads from the front, guides his people wisely, sees to the fulfillment of their interests, learns from his people, and puts their needs in front of his own. In simple terms, a leader does things for others with a willing and open heart without harbouring grudges, condescension or ideas of personal gratification.

In an organization too the above qualities in a leader earns him the respect and esteem of his employees. Growth of a business happens where a leader in power shares his power with his employees, empowering them and not snatching their power away from them.

As John C. Maxwell once said, 

"A Leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way."

Switch Off... Save On

A Dark Night that brings Light... Contradiction right there, don't you think? Flashback to the year 2007, when the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at Sydney organized a 'switch off' event to drive awareness on the issue of climate change. What started as an environmental event in a city, soon catapulted into the international sphere, reaching the interiors of almost every single nation on the globe. This event was no other than 'Earth Hour' - a day marked with people switching off their power for an hour.

This initiative is to gear people to become more responsible and thoughtful citizens of Earth. Earth gives us plenty of resources that help us live. However, we have been depleting the planet's resources at an alarming rate. While environmental issues like deforestation, pollution, animal cruelty, among others, power consumption is one issue that is escalating with furious abandon. We, as children of Earth, need to learn to save power to save Earth.

Earth Hour that is mostly scheduled in the month of March, is a day that focuses on the issue of conserving power to help in reducing the issue of Climate Change around the world. Our consumption of power increases radiation that causes climate as we know it to undergo dangerous unbalance. Global warming, ice-caps melting among the rest are some of the few examples of how our irresponsible behaviour toward power can bring destruction to our planet and to us.

It's never too late to join in a noble cause. You can pledge your support for Earth Hour by visiting the following links:

Earth Hour Website

Earth Hour - FB Page

Earth Hour India - FB Page


Team Ogma Robur have pledged our Support to Earth Hour... not just for today, but for everyday. Are you joining too?

Photo Courtesy: Earth Hour India