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

Embed Value in Appraisal

Appraisal is one of the company features any employee looks forward to. His annual performance is taken into account, weighed and analyzed to determine his future. This system is fraught with tension, awkwardness and frankly, a lot of dilly-dallying by the employers and the employees. Most are familiar with this routine, but have you ever thought of changing it? Have you thought to embed value in appraisal?

Esteemed Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik once narrated a story about Hanuman and his mother. In this story, Hanuman’s mother asked him why he went through the trouble of building a bridge to Lanka when he could have struck the demons with one swipe of his tail and save Sita from Ravana. Hanuman answered saying that, no one asked him to do that, whatever Ram told him to do, he did that. He said that it was after all, Ram’s story, not his own.

In the above story, you can see that Hanuman carried out the duties set to him. His abilities were kept in the background while he fulfilled the role set to him. Also, since it was Ram’s story, it would be inappropriate of him to take liberty with Ram’s mission.

An appraisal should be simply that. An assessment of the assignments delegated to the employee, and the performance of an employee in doing justice to them should be considered in the appraisal. It is a measure of the appropriate usage of resources to achieve the results or goals set down. If an employee has performed effectively to meet the requirements – then no question should arise on his capability or efficiency – the fact that he has delivered what was asked of him should be enough to determine his appraisal.

One also needs to take into account that an employee does not work on his own on a project. He is aided and assisted by a team, juniors, subordinates and seniors. In an appraisal, one needs to look at the growth, qualities, and development of the employee himself, rather than seeing how the employee has contributed to a company’s growth. Wondering why so? Well, when you appreciate a person for their self-growth, it builds a sense of higher self-worth that reflects in the performance, which leads to… the company growing. Avoid making an employee feel like he’s doing a favour to the company, it will never work. Instead, appreciate and acknowledge his inputs, as well as failings, give him an honest, balanced feedback that will help him help you.

Inculcate value in the organization by valuing the good qualities of the employees. They are not just a means to the company’s end. They are the company – they make the company what it is, which is why it is extremely essential to value them.

On a Lighter Note - Dilbert