How to face interviews? Behavioural interview...Part-16

Behavioral interviews test your past actions or future performance in a given situation and  help the recruiters understand you well!

Birbal tries this on Noushad!

Birbal was taking rest in his tent. The enemy had withdrawn deep in to the forest. The spies reported that his large army was hopelessly dwarfed into a small group of about a hundred warriors and all of them had gone large. At least it would take another 5 years for them to collect money, people, train and resurface.  Birbal knew well that chasing this little army into the forest would not yield any result.  ‘Meanwhile I should assure safety and livelihood for people; it should also be ensured that they get wells, ponds, tanks and road facilities with market for produce...  The development would at least prevent the people from joining the enemy’s army.’

There was a tap on the door.

“Yes, come in”.

The guard entered and announced “Sir, there is a youth with war wounds waiting for you.”

“Bring him.”

The youth entered and made ‘salaam’ very obediently.

“Hey! Noushad... what a surprise! You are in the war! I guess that this is your first war! Great! Young man, welcome.”

“Birbalji, I’m really happy to have served under your leadership. War has taught me a lot of good lessons which I never could learn in class rooms and practice.” Noushad showed true happiness on meeting his mentor and guide.

“Okay! Share your experience.”

“Oh! It was unexpected. My father was to lead a small platoon from our village. Unfortunately, he became sick. Elders, after a good deal of discussion, ordered me to take the lead.”

“Noushad, focus on my question. It is about your experience in war and not about

How you became the leader. You must be careful when you answer. The question in interview may be like this. Tell me an incidence when you had to show your leadership qualities.”

“Sorry! One incident I would like to share. Three days ago, I was returning with my people. Some of them were wounded. All of them lost their horses. Suddenly a group of five men came to attack us. I could understand that their immediate aim was my horse. I pushed my horse on the left of me and jumped down with my spear across the coming horse-men. First horse fell down followed by second one. I figured out that the second man is their leader. Before he got up I made deep cuts in his arms and severed his legs. Quickly I used my stiletto to stab the first one on his chest because he was without armor. The other men ran away. We arrested the leader now he is in our camp under medication but never to recover fully.”

“Why did you attack this person? Instead you could have killed other people.”

“Sir...he was their leader. Actually, he is a close relative of the enemy king. We can get a treasure of information from him. That is the reason why I have come here. He could be of enormous use to us”

“Excellent!  I’m happy to have you in my army. Remember to tell right things with right dose of tone if asked in your interview ! Don’t exaggerate. Be truthful in your replies... They may also ask you by giving you a situation. For instance, if you were surrounded by warriors on elephants instead of this ambush.... ”

Noushad blinked a moment “I’d have run away run away.” Birbal could not stop the laugh on this immediate retort.

“Then, what about your men?”

“I’ll order them to scatter on a zigzag path so that they can be out of the vicinity of elephants.”

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Vocabulary corner:

Assure: 

As a leader Noushad promised to take care of his soldiers and honor of his village in the war. (Giving promise confidently like our politicians)

Ensure:

 He also ensured the security of his men in the war (taking proper action and leading them in the war, he performed well in protecting them and leading them into victory)

Insure:

 to guard against a loss.

People insure their shops against fire. Insurance companies assure them that they will be compensated if loss occurs due to fire.

What is stress interview? Interview-15: stress Part-3

In stress interviews they corner you just to check your reaction and how you manage your answers; they don’t expect exactly the correct ones!

I followed the uniformed man to the A.C hall. There was chillness in the air which welcomed me. However, I hardly felt it.  Instead it was the suppressing silence which increased my feeling of sudden loneliness and fear. In fact I had prepared well for this interview including ‘stress’ type which is very common nowadays. Even then, I could not avoid panicking...

“Please, here... inside, sir.” The uniformed person guided me. From that point, almost I lost myself. I walked so half-consciously into the room that I could not count the number of people in the panel.

“Good morning, Madam; good morning sirs.”

“Welcome, Mr.Amar singh. Be seated, please!” The man with a bald head instructed me with a sharp look at me. He had my resume on his hand.

“Thank you.” I smiled ...rather tried to smile at them.

“How did you come here, from the railway station?”

“By taxi, sir” slowly I started recovering, though there were droplets of sweat on my forehead.

“Take a cup of water,” The lady offered.

“Thanks, madam. I just had a cup of tea outside.”

“Okay...let us assume Mr.Singh that you arrived in the station at 9.30AM. Imagine that you didn’t get a taxi. Then, how would you have reached this office?” The bald headed man (I assumed that he must be the chairman) again asked in a low but commanding voice.

“Sir, I might have got an auto rickshaw.”

“No, auto rickshaws are on strike today”

“Then, I’d go for a cycle rickshaw”

“Cycle rickshaws are also on strike”

I could understand that he was trying to corner me. “I’d ask for a lift in a car or motor bike.”

“Nobody is available”

I gasped. I could hear the throbbing of heart .I was failing. I had to overcome the hurdles he was throwing at me.

“I... I ...may walk.” Then, I blinked in confusion. “Shall I have water?”

“Yes...  please.” They seriously watched me.

“Any other answer? Okay, I leave it to you. Madam, will you continue?”

“Well Mr.Singh, we are on the first floor. I knew that you are guided through steps. Could you tell me, how many steps are there?”

I felt a strong surge of irritation. I wanted to ask them the use of knowing the number of steps for the job. But, I replied “The number of steps are equal to the same number you had used to come up in the morning to conduct the interview” I could not believe my own retort. All of them laughed.

“You are in a house surrounded by a jungle. You are about to be attacked by a bunch of people...What will you do?” The third member asked.

“I’ll call for my guard.”

“Guard is absent on that day”

“I’ll use my gun to make them run away.”

“They know that your gun is empty.”

“I’ll send ‘SOS’ thru my cell phone”

“No signal. The message doesn’t go.”

“I’ll run to the backyard to take my jeep to leave that place.” I was loosing my control and confidence.

“But, the jeep didn’t start. There is some mechanical problem.”

‘Think...think... fastly. Man.’ I thought.

I came with a reply “I have to run through the forest.” Then I remembered “I can run fast because I am a regular jogger and an athletic”

After fifteen minutes of further questions on various subjects, the chair man told me

“Now you need not run. You can walk away. Interview is over”

“Thank you, sir” I came out of the air-conditioned room with a deep sigh of relief  and sensed the sudden gush of fresh and free air.

Vocabulary corner:

Fastly: There is no such word.  Look at the line above in italics.

                                    It must be ‘Think... fast.’

                                    Fast is used for adjective and adverb.

                                   A fast car (adj)

                                   They ran fast. It says how they ran. Fast. (adv)

 Hardly: ‘Hardly’ is like opposite to ‘Hard’. In this way, it is easy to remember the usage.

             I hardly prepared for interview. It means that I never prepared for interview.

             I worked hard to grab the first place.

                 Here it adds emphasis and force to the sentence

Interview Part-14: Samson manages stress questions. How?

 If you need ,you can go thru previous posts to know about interviews.

INTERVIEW-14: STRESS-2

 “Shall we start, My Boys? I need to go earlier today for lunch. I am expecting a relative to meet me during lunch.” Our Ex indicated his wish to finish the process earlier.

We called Samson and handed over his file to our Ex Gm who was the chairman of the interview panel. Samson, the next candidate, entered.

“So you are, Johnson… sorry… Samson. Take your seat, please.”

“Thanks,” He sat at the edge and started expecting salvos.

“Tell me about you” Our Ex posed the same question.

Samson was hesitant and undecided a second and then asked “Sir, Shall I tell about the details which are not in the resume?”

“So, you talked to the previous man, Nirmal; and now you try to show that you are smarter than him by putting forward this question. Isn’t it?” Our G.M yelled at him

We took a new interest now and started observing Samson. He closed his eyes for a moment. It might be a prayer I thought. There were droplets of sweat on his forehead

“No, sir, with all due respects, I felt that I should not be boring you all by repeating the same thing which were already reported there. That is the true reason …”

“Nirmal has enlightened you about how to deal with me.” He fired the next sharp and direct attack.

Though the boy was managing, we could feel his uneasiness behind the artificial smile.

“Sir, I don’t know his name. As you have told, I asked him about his experience in this interview. I am usually comfortable when I know what happens around me. It definitely adds to our strength to deal with others.”

“Now you are short of telling that you are a great guy who always observe and be alert to circumstances. Blowing own trumpet?” Again almost he gunned the candidate point blank.

“…….”

“Keeping quiet? …No more arguments. No explanations. No sorry.” Ex G.M proactively tried to frighten Samson.

“No…not at all, Sir. To your first question, I prefer to answer about me with details outside my resume.”

“Mr.Samson” He shouted “Here, I am the boss and I’ll decide what you say ... Understand….Tell me in three lines about you.”

Samson slightly confused on this assertion and thought a moment “Sir, I am a team leader in ‘Marstech’ for past two years. (EXPERIENCE) Now I have completed my MBA in IT management.(EDUCATION) I have appreciations for making the process management easier and the resultant cost cutting in the expenses….(EXPERIENCE)”

“All of you are obsessed with your MBA? Do you know why American markets failed and the crises some years ago?” I could see the replay of Nirmal episode.

“Americans had prime lending crises. There was a study going on whether it was due to MBAs who introduced derivatives. They have a plan to modify the syllabus of MBA”

It came out very steadily from Samson’s mouth. (Might be news to ‘Terror’ and us!)

‘Terror’ didn’t expect this turn in interview. He immediately shot back “That is why I ask you, how you are  proud of your MBA?”

“Sir, None of you is an MBA. But your B.A is more than our present MBA. You are interviewing MBAs, BEs and B.Techs. Even then we need MBA because it is almost like your XIth class of those days. Otherwise I may not fit in the new world order”

Again ‘Terror’-our Ex G.M bounced back “So…some how  ...you have got explanations to all questions. Then tell me what is blond and brunet?”

“Sir…it…. I’m bit confused… I don’t know the exact meaning. But it is related to color of hair and identifying people. I’m really sorry” He was caught off the track.

Our Ex GM triumphantly looked at us and then to him.

“You do not know the meaning of this simple word. But you change your company only to tell them a ‘Bye’ at the end of another three years. Aren’t you ashamed?”

The boy seemed to have strength “My present company is small. The business is managed by a family of engineers and MBAs.  There is no more expansion in the company. Naturally my doors are shut for promotion. But yours is an MNC with a world renowned corporate governance record. Then why should I look for another company? I won’t leave.”

“Empty promises. All you need is some more thousands. Subsequently, I know you, pack off to another MNC. Now …it is over. You can go.” It was an abrupt fare well.

Philips asked him “Do you have any question?”

“Really ...no..... But what is exactly blond? Will you, please, tell me?”

“Go and verify the dictionary. We don’t have to answer the question.” Our Ex GM cut him off. With a loud thanks to all of us he slowly moved out.

“What is your opinion about him?” Our master asked. Philips told “He is definitely  ...okay for us.”

“Then, how did I manage?” our Ex inquired us expectantly.

I swiftly retorted “His last question ...your reply! You managed greatly.” He understood the underlying sarcasm. Even so, he could not avoid laughing with us.

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Vocabulary Corner:

Blond    :  Fair haired person / Person with golden color; common word describing man or woman.

Blonde:    Describes only a woman or girl.

Brunet    : Dark haired man/ color of his hair

Brunette: Dark haired woman or girl/ color of her hair

Interview-13: Stress Interview

In Stress interviews people assess how you manage pressure! Mainly your psychological strength!

We were bored with the interviewing. There was a 5 minutes break. Philips, the HR man, told us “Why should not we change the type of interview?”

We seriously looked at him with our eyes full of weariness. He came up with an idea.

“Sir, why shouldn't you take up the interview in your own style? We’ll keep mum. Just prefer to watch you.” It was an invitation to the grand old man there. He was a retired General Manager. Once we  nicknamed him “Terror”.

He was a man of perfection; so nobody could get an appreciation from him; instead what we could receive were brickbats even for our best performance. I could foresee what would happen to the next candidate. I could not avoid the smile. We were ready to observe the drama.

“So, you would like me to play the bad boy and villain. Then enjoy.” He accepted the role given to him.

“Sir, it is not for enjoyment. Let us test them on stress. All of us are your students. We learnt not only the stress and also the methods to cope up with them” HR replied.

“But I doubt your intentions. You want some comedy. Isn't it? Okay! Ask the next man Vimal kumar to come in.”

 Vimal entered the room after the usual “May I come in, Sir?”

We deliberately avoided looking at him.

 Terror ordered him “Be seated, Mr.Nirmal”. He looked tough and no smiles.

The young man was looking for some support and moved uncomfortably.

“Tell me about you?” was the first question hurled at him.

“I’m Nirmal kumar…”

“That we know  Mr.Nirmal. Haven’t you noticed I used your name when I asked you to sit down? So you are memorizing your answers for ‘tell me about you.”

“Sorry. I didn't…” he was subdued.

“No. What is the use of sorry? what are we going to do with you people in our company?” He turned to us and shouted “Tell me, What is the use hiring this fellow, who starts his answer like a parrot?” He was completely in full form.

The candidate’s face paled.

I could see his hands trembling.

“Tell me at least how do you think that you are fit for this job?”

“..Sir…I am B.Com, MBA…..”

So… What? Then do you think we are uneducated fools without MBA sitting here and wasting our time with you?” Our ex-GM barked.

The harassed young man tried to start “No. no… sir. I didn't at all …mean it. Very

 very sorry…” He fumbled for words.

Our Lion roared again “How many 'sorrys' are we to hear? Do you know when MBA was started and  whose concept was this one?”

“I …I…I don’t know”

“Either 'sorry' or 'don't know'! But you are an MBA. Are you not ashamed? You do not know who founded this concept of Management course? What did you study in your colleges? Just go there and sleep or send SMS to girls or forward some foolish jokes???”

“…………..”

“Do you know that there was a crisis in US? Now people are studying whether it was because of entry of MBAs like you. Do you know what the crisis was? Do you know what ‘Occupy Wall Street’ is?”

The boy almost kept looking for words or tried a weak smile! A failing smile!

The interview went on like this for 20 minutes. We had shared our secret grins in between and enjoyed the onslaught.

 ‘Okay .the interview is over. You can go.”

“Thank you, sir” he moved fast without turning back...

“Almost he  literally ran away. So,  Guys, you had your entertainment? What do you say?”

“Sir, actually he could not reply you. He doesn't have the knack of managing answers. He could not stand up against your downpour!”

We gave him average marks based on the C.V. and for Interview part: fewer marks only.

Terror further told “The boy might have called me a sadist, egoist and egotist after going outside”.
He did not know that we also referred to him with the same words or sometimes in real worse words ( cannot be published) when he was our boss.
I asked him "Sir,  Who is the management guru who founded 'management course'?"
"Who knows? I don't remember."  ' Terror' casually responded!

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 Peter Trekker: is the managment guru who introduced "Management" as separate subject.

Vocabulary corner: 

Sadist: A person feeling happy about others’ troubles, failures etc.

Egotist: A person always talking proudly about himself; always projecting him as the best person.

Egoist: One who always looks after, takes care of or promotes, works, plans only for his advancement in life.( Never thinks about others ); selfish; self centered.

We can’t call our ‘Terror’ as egoist or egotist. 

Interview-12 and Leadership-4

A leader should negotiate and bring his opponent to his knees without antagonizing him! “When” is the question that decides his success!

It happened last month. The hero was my little grandson. That was very much unexpected of him. He never behaved street smart whenever it comes to compromising values. But still it happened! May be it shows that he has started maturing or begun getting corrupt? (I know my daughter would object the second part after ‘or’.) From her point of view he might have naturally started learning the street survival techniques. After all he is now 7 years old. Now let me tell you what happened there.

Actually one day he came home completely dirty with scratches and bruises all over the body.

“What is this?” His mother shouted.

“Mom, I’ve already told you about Dhanush who beats everybody in my class or pinches us in the van.”

“So? What?”

“Today he came and slapped me because I did not offer him a seat in the school van. Immediately I had a wrestle with him. I made him have a tough time. All my friends cheered me and I think I won. So, he can’t do this to us in future”. There was a pleasure in his gleaming eyes.

“Why? You know, he is a big boy and a bully. Don’t make me to come to your school because of you little fools!”

“Mom…but uncle told me to fight back whenever people try to trouble us.”

She thought that the story was over and expected some more adventures which might invite her for a meeting with his teachers.

 After three days again he shared “Mom, today Dhanush came to me….”

“To give back what you had given on that day?”

“No; I was doing the project; my air-plane was a successful model. It flew well and glided beautifully! He ran along with me to catch it. He got it first and gave it to me safely. I thanked him. Then he asked whether I could teach him to make the paper plane. I said okay if you stop bullying others and make friends with everybody. He stared at the plane a minute with glittering eyes and then accepted my suggestion. Nowadays he has become a good friend of us, though we are one year junior to him”

My daughter smiled. I could feel the mother’s pride.

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Grammar corner:

"So, he can’t do this to us in future." This is wrong usage.

We cannot use ‘can’t do’ for future possibility.

"SO,he will not be able to do this in future": Correct usage.

 A decision is taken  to have a class on Monday by the professor.

When a decision is taken, ‘can’ can be used in future meaning: We can have the class on Monday.

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A leader has to protect his team and own responsibility in times of need! Because it pays him, later!

This also is also a true story. A small one! The team leader was called to GM’s room.

“Who had done this? We acted upon this scrap. The customer is furious on this classification. He told that he had paid all his dues. He claimed that he would sue us”

He gasped under tension. He had BP too. The team leader was worried on watching the GM teeming with anger.

“Sir, this is basically my mistake. I own it. I take complete responsibility for this error.”

“Whom do you want to protect? Do you want to play Good Samaritan?” There was a sarcastic note in his tone.

“You are right. I would like to guard one of my members.Yes, call me biased. He has done hundred good things. If this one is wrong, shall we hang him? I don’t think so. I can’t remain uninterested and disinterested. If you decide to punish, penalize me first because I only approved it. I hope I will manage the customer and he will understand.I am with my team.”

When the news was out in the office, the entire team gathered and cheered his action.

He got unequivocal co-operation from all his members whole heartedly. The team remained unbeatable and always first in completion of projects.

Vocabulary corner:

Uninterested:  remaining careless; showing no interest, indifferent.

                         He is uninterested in watching cinemas.                        

Disinterested:  Remaining unbiased; balanced.

                         The judge should be disinterested in the arguments; he should keenly   observe the case. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Interview part-11: What are the qualities of a leader? Part-3

A leader should be strict when the situation demands!

The Hr manager and the union leader, though a rare sight to be seen together, came and explained the new pension scheme announced by the government.

“What do we get by signing these forms?” the worker asked again. The meeting was held to discuss about the benefits of the scheme. Every body accepted and put their signatures with their photos. Only one person refused and asked the same irritating question again and again.

Almost all his friends failed to convince him. The HR manager also attempted to persuade him.

“Comrade, you will get 50% of salary and allowances after your retirement. It also covers all medical expenses.”

The union leader said “Hey friend, this is a real good deal. You get insurance and pension just for not doing anything during your retirement life.  You need not come to office. Enjoy, man. If you do not sign, our company cannot participate in this scheme because the scheme requires 100% participation”

“No. I’ll not sign.” He went away without listening to any body.

The next day the managing director called him into the room.

“Please sign this form. This is for the good of everybody in our factory.”

“Why should I? NO. I’ll not sign” the reply came curtly.

“OK Man, this is the last chance for you. If you are not consenting, you are going to be fired….I mean dismissed from this company so that others can benefit from this pension scheme.”

Without even looking up the prodigal worker signed the form and coolly said “Nobody explained me about the benefits in the manner as you have done. Now only I could understand the entire thing.”

              ##################################################

A leader should have only one aim: success for his team; success for his country!

But no ego!

The party office was unusually crowded. There was an election for the post of chief minister. The people were disgruntled over the unexpected contest within the party.

“Will you win, sir?” the voice was very much concerned.

The old man in khadi dress looked at him, smiled and said “This is our democracy. Anybody can contest.

If he wins, surely, we would support all his activities for the development of the state.”

Again it was the same nonchalant smile.

But the old man won the election because of the simplicity and the common sense he had.

He announced the ministry on the next day. Every one was surprised to see the rival candidate C.Subramaniam in the ministry in charge of important portfolios.The ministry included not only C.Subramaniam, but also the other opponents like M.Bakthavatchalm and R.Venkatraman.

The old man was the then chief minister of Tamilnadu called Kamaraj who used the talents of C.Subramaniam, the architect of green revolution and R.Venkatraman, the pioneer of industrial revolution in Tamilnadu, in the southern part of  India for the welfare of the public.. The trio, as a team, succeeded in leading Tamilnadu to development.                               

                                     *****************************

Do you remember Obama vs Hillary Clinton in US presidential elections? Do you know what happened after Obama took over as US president? He requested Hillary to lead Foreign affairs in his cabinet. Now Hillary is the secretary of state.

Do we have such leaders in our country, now?

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Interview -part 10: Leadership-2

What are the qualities of a leader?

A common question asked in interviews. Here are some ideas.

All the soldiers were very busy moving the logs from one place to another. There were no bulldozers or modern equipments because this happened more than 200 hundred years ago. The men were struggling to lift and move those big pieces of log. The corporal who was looking after the task angrily shouted at them “I will give you only five minutes. Otherwise you will be put in night patrol and forget your sleep.” What all the men needed was just one set of additional hands to help them. Just one set! The corporal was not at all ready because he thought that he was their supervisor. He believed that his duty was to give orders and not supporting his men.

Suddenly a man came there and lent a hand to the tired and sweating men to lift the large timber. With his assistance they successfully moved the wooden piece. The corporal who was their immediate over seer smiled haughtily and ordered the group to move to the next assignment.

Before getting on his horse, the new comer asked the corporal “Whenever you need any help, you can call me.”

“Who are you?” was the corporal’s arrogant question.

The man simply replied “I AM GEORGE WASHINGTON, the chief of army.” And he went away on his horse.

The corporal found himself bowled over! All the soldiers stood astonished with a new respect on their Chief of Army.

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It was a hot January. In the southern districts of India there were only three seasons. That is what my professor used to tell us “We have hot, hotter and hottest seasons. That is all for the whole year.”

The village children were playing together on the road. A car crossed them fast but within minutes it screeched to halt. An old man came out.

He enquired “Children, why didn’t you go to school? Is it a holiday?”

“No, sir. If we go to school, who is there to feed us? There is no food in our house. We are shepherds. Our boss gives food and a small salary every month.”

The old man was thoughtful for a moment and asked with a sudden spark in the eyes “If food is there in your school, will you go to school?”

“We have to inform our parents.”

“I’ll take care of it, my children. You go to school. Study and find a job... You are the future of this country. Education is our strength”

Again the car started. The sudden spark in the eyes of the old man was the result of his creativeness that had come in his mind. It was the famous noon-meal scheme. It dramatically changed the school strength in this part of India from roughly 200, 000 to more than1000, 000.Then this scheme was followed worldwide in developing countries applauded by the UN.

The scheme was called mid-day meal scheme. The leader was Kamaraj. This happened in 1960s.

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Leadership qualities:

Help your team when they are in distress like George Washington.

Creativity: Move with all simplicity and interact with people to have practical knowledge and to find solutions with creativity like Kamaraj (who had never gone to any school for formal education!)

___________________________________________________________

  Here is some food for our Vocabulary:

Noon-meal:

It is simply lunch in Indian context.

But you can use the word ‘dinner’ for lunch or even for evening/night food. When it is the main meal of the day, you can freely apply the word ‘dinner’. There is no need to restrict it to night or mid-day.

In U.S, people generally call midday-meal as ‘lunch’.

                        Evening meal is ‘supper/dinner’.

TEA: Tea time is tea plus cookies/cakes etc.

High Tea: High tea is evening around 6’o clock with cooked food.

Supper: Night food.

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What are the qualities of a leader?

Interview-part-9

This post deals with some of the qualities of a team leader.

It was a bolt from blue. Mannangatti, a menial worker in MLA’s hostel (MLA is  an elected representative of people, generally believed to work for people in state assemblies in India) received the shocking information that he would be dismissed from service since he was an illiterate. The family was completely under distress and almost forgot to eat and sleep in the last two days. One of the MLAs was very kind to him. He suggested Mannangatti to call the chief minister’s office which had issued the circular.

“The phone was ringing…would you talk to the official there on behalf of me?” Mannangatti requested the MLA.

“Mannagatti, you are going to do it. Not me. Ask the official, whether our chief minister is an educated person?”

Mannangatti took the telephone with shaking hands. Without knowing who was on the other end, he politely asked “Sir, government has asked me to go out this office because I do not have basic education. If so, what about our chief minister? Will you, please, tell me whether our chief minister has any educational qualification?”

On the other side, the man, who took the telephone in the absence of his personal Secretary was frozen on hearing these words because he was the chief minister.He did not have any formal education. He was the person who signed the orders. He instructed his assistants to bring Mannangatti to the office immediately and meanwhile collected details about him. The assistants were ready for the disaster awaiting Mannagatti. How could one ask such a question to the head of a state? Do you have the guts to pose any such questions to our present leaders? Surely I do not have.

Mannangatti was brought to the chief minister’s office completely subdued. The MLA

(One of the true Representatives of people) also followed him to explain the position. But to their surprise, the chief minister received the worker with all compassion and kindness.

“Sit down, Mannangatti, I thank you. Though it hurts, it is true. My order is wrong. I can feel the plight of your family. The order is withdrawn. You go and work at hostel peacefully. Ask your family members to sleep calmly.”

Mannangatti was sent back to his office.

I know that you may think that this is an imaginary story! My reply is an emphatic ‘NO’.

But it happened in Tamilnadu (!!!), India, where boss is always right, especially, in politics.

The chief minister was Kamaraj. The MLA was Mookiah Thevar. This is a true story. You can go this link and verify.

 Thanks Mr.Vishal!      http://ww.facebook.com/sathees.vishal   

 

 

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Have you noticed some of the qualities the great leader had?

              Empathy and compassion: He could understand and feel the pangs of the poor family.

              Taking responsibility        : He accepted the mistake though it was the idea of  others around him...

              Correcting the error         : He set right the wrong done.

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Vocabulary:

Sympathy -     is when you understand and feel sorry or pity for something or somebody.  

Empathy   -     is when you understand and feel the same emotion in the same wave                                                                           length as others have undergone.    

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Interview part-8: Birbal guides Naushad

If you haven't read part-7, have  a recap:

These are  the skills you have, you can add something more:

Education at different schools;

Singing Gazals and writing Urdu poems from a poet near your house

Administration from your uncle;

Archery and horse riding from parents;

Accounting from a merchant;

Chinese from Chinese traveler;

Warfare and hunting from a chieftain;

Certifications from local clubs for various games, contests;

 

I welcome readers to help Naushad in presenting the skills in an appropriate manner for all the three jobs from the suggestions of Birbal in the following order:

Accountant

Minister

Captain

Question is: How do you think you are fit for the job?

Surely Birbal may also come with his ideas; sometimes we can also excel Birbal.

Part-8

  Birbal and Naushad: Birbal excels!

Birbal after a long absence from the court came back from his tour. To his astonishment, Naushad was there at his house welcoming.

“What, Naushad? You are still in the capital! Haven’t you got a job? “.

“No. They have postponed the interviews and group discussion, because most of the ministers and courtiers are out of town on different missions” Nashua sighed

“So, it is a blessing in disguise. Have you prepared the answers for my questions?”

“No.” Naushad expressed guiltily. Birbal started chiding him for his laziness “This is too much, young man. I’ve already asked you to think your own answers. Make mistakes. Then only you learn. Mistakes and errors are real teachers.  I’m not going to give the replies directly. For the post of captainship how will you present yourself?”

Hesitantly, Naushad began “Sir, I’m Naushad.  I’m from a village near Madura. I won first position  and certifications   from many associations in different contests like horse riding, swordsmanship, archery and other local games. I am really proud to say that my father is my teacher. I learnt warfare and diplomacy from the chieftain of our area.

If you give me a chance, I can prove my skills.”

Birbal smiled “Is that all?”

“Yes, uncle, what is there to be told in connection with my war skills? In my opinion, nothing more is there!”  Naushad confidently replied.

This time Birbal’s smile turned into a frown “Naushad, Will you answer me these questions? Assume and imagine. If you become a captain, you are also responsible for stores, ammunition and food expenses of your contingent…Isn’t it? Then which is the knowledge that is going to be helpful in these circumstances?”

“….….Accounting?”

“Yes. Another question…. If you are sent to Himalayas and beyond, you may have language problem. How will you manage?”

“I will have a translator”

Birbal got irritated “Then, What is the use of Chinese language that you learnt?”

“I am sorry I didn’t think of that.” Naushad felt ashamed.

“So… shall I answer thinking that I am Naushad now…………………:

 I am Naushad from a village near by Agra. I have got expertise in archery, swordsmanship and warfare. My father and the local chieftain Asim Ali are my teachers. They are also famous warriors. They took part in all the wars on behalf of our country from their teenage. Our emperor has honoured them. Because of these teachers, I could win the first position in war games. During training I had been with little water for many days in the deserts of West of Delhi. I went to China and learnt different martial arts. In addition, since I knew accounting and administration I can keep my stores, food, expenses and ammunition properly and perfectly. Moreover, in case of wars in north or beyond Himalayas, I can use my Chinese knowledge for spying, administration and translation purposes.”

Naushad became amazed and speechless at how Birbal used the same skill set to his advantage.

“So, think and tell me how will you present your skills for Accountant’s post?” Birbal immediately queried.

The shrew boy took some time and a cup of juice offered by Birbal’s wife.

He started “Sir, I learnt accounting from a local businessman and worked for a year two. Then I joined our local chief Asim Ali to help him in maintaining tax income and welfare expenses. He taught me valuing farm outputs and excise duty calculations. Also in case I am sent to war-fronts I can maintain accounts as well as fight because of my expertise in horse riding, swordsmanship and martial arts. In addition to accounting I know Chinese language; this knowledge can be used for the silk trade with Chinese or spying during wartime.”

“Wow, well done! This is how you have to coordinate ideas and skills to present your self… After all your skills are your commodities. Sell them like a successful merchant. But be true and honest. Don’t exaggerate; because exaggeration and lies may land you in trouble. See you later.”

           

Intreview-part-7:Birbal's questions to us!

Birbal was walking around his garden. It was early morning. After his return from Persia,

this was the first visit to his garden. The birds had started chirping, and tweeting.He could feel the cool air carrying a smell of rain from west. There was a formation of clouds on the western horizon with thunders trumpeting the onset of monsoon. He felt happy at the sight of the clouds. The guard suddenly appeared in front of him.

“Sir, the boy who came here yesterday is at the entrance”

“Okay, allow him.”

Naushad hesitantly entered and bowed "Good morning Birbalji” He looked weary and sleepy.

“Did you sleep well, Son?”

“No...I could not sleep. I asked some questions to my uncle. He suggested me to meet you.”

“You are welcome. Firstly, do not feel uncomfortable or ashamed to raise questions. Secondly come with your own answers for the doubts, even if they are incorrect. Don’t worry. But it is important to think over them and have some of your own solutions.”

“I am confused when I think for apt responses to these questions…..     ‘Tell me about you? Then, what are your strengths and weakness? How do you think that you are fit for this job?’… Are they not overlapping one another?” Naushad wondered with an unsure look and tone.

“You are right, my boy... Now, let me give a series of assumed information about you. You have to sort and present them in three ways appropriately  according to the questions you face and the post you apply for. Okay…………...

These are all the things about you, you can add something more:

Education at different Gurukulas and schools;

Singing Gazals and writing Urdu poems from poet near your house

Administration from your uncle;

Archery and horse riding from parents;

Accounting from a merchant;

Chinese from Chinese traveler;

Warfare and hunting from a chieftain;

Certifications from local clubs for various games, contests;

Now imagine that some  vacancies are there for a junior minister for which you have been nurturing a desire for a long time since your boyhood. Another job is a group captain; apart from these two, there is an accountant’s post in the palace.” Birbal looked at him and closely observed that Naushad’s eyes were restless and he was on the verge uttering something.

“Son, always listen to the question completely. The first job is…..”

Before Birbal finished, the hasty boy began blurting out “For the first job which is a ministerial post, I think, I am completely fit…”

Birbal, in strong correcting tone interrupted “Stop Naushad, please. I thought you are quite competent for any job. I didn’t even inform you about which job you must reply first. You assumed that it is the post of ‘junior minister’, so you are impatient or over enthused. Now, let me digress a little. Listen to the story I tell you. Then, you will understand why we should wait till the other person completes his communication”

‘This is a Buddhist story which I collected when I had visited Himalayas. Once, a teacher from plains went to a monastery to meet a famous monk. The teacher was an expert in interpreting dreams. He thought that he had more knowledge than the monk. He was very much interested in proving this point. The monk welcomed him and told a dream “I had a dream where both of us had been in a strange situation. I hope you could explain the meaning of the dream. There were two pots in a dark cave in a dense forest. One full of dirt and another full of honey! We both entered the cave and dipped our hands in the pots, of course different ones. I found myself in an unfortunate position of having my hands in the wrong pot. And you were…” The monk was, suddenly, interrupted by the over confident teacher. The teacher commented “The dream indicates that I am lucky enough to get the sweet knowledge of eternity and you end up in nasty ignorance of darkness.”

The monk continued “My dear friend, you are a bit fast. I didn’t finish my dream. Let me complete it. We both came out of the cave. There was a growl welcoming us. The black bulky bear sniffed from a distance and attacked you to send you to the sweet eternity while it preferred to ignore me, the nasty one. Now tell me the meaning.” He stopped with a winning smile.

The teacher was astonished and speechless and eventually he became tamed.’

“Naushad, so please listen completely and then take a few seconds to think, sort and then come back with suitable and sensible replies. Don’t become a laughing stock of people like our teacher in the story.”

Shall we discuss the answers next week?

I welcome readers to help Naushad in preparing the answers for all the three jobs from the suggestions of Birbal in the following order:

Accountant

Minister

Captain

Question is: How do you think you are fit for the job?

Surely Birbal may also come with his ideas; sometimes we can also excel Birbal.

What do you say? If you come with any solutions, it will be published.

Birbal explains :How to tell 'your strengths and weakness'

        INTERVIEW-PART.6 

               Birbal was back from an important meeting with Akbar. He was very tired. Unexpectedly there was a guest waiting for him at the house. Birbal’s wife announced the evening menu and further informed “A boy has come here five hours ago. He is still waiting. So I gave him some food  and then snacks.”

“Who is it? Did you tell anything?”

“No. Finish your snacks and then go” curtly came the order. Birbal washed his face and chanted his evening prayers very quietly. He ate the tasty refreshments and went to the guest room to meet the newcomer.

“Birbalji, salaam alayukkum. I am Naushad. You have to help me. The interview is due in five days for the post of junior ministers. Please train me, Sir. My entire family will be thankful to you.”

Birbal, at that moment, understood that this was the young man recommended by Khan.

“What do you want, my son?”

“Please teach me how to attend an interview? My aim is to join our King’s court.”

“you are the nephew of Khan. Isn’t it? Then you are like my own son. Don’t worry. I will train you this week for the interview successfully. First let me know your strengths and weakness. This will help me a lot to shape you.”

“Oh…It is really difficult to tell my weakness. I know horse riding. I am an expert in archery. I can manage an elephant in wars. But one thing which I can call my weakness is: I am very much uncomfortable with questions like this. But I know I can’t obviously announce this as my weakness. How can I manage, then?”

Listening to this, Khan, the courtier entered “If you want a job, face the questions? Else go back to your village. Do you know what type of questions we have to face everyday?

Let me tell you, my son. Birbal and I visited Persia last month. We had been never there before.  Do you know what happened there?”

He narrated:

‘There were eight people on the throne. All were almost identical. One among them was the genuine king. A minister welcomed Birbal and us telling “Birbal, you have to find out the real King.”

Birbal immediately told “Sure I will abide by the King’s order. But one thing

surprises me. In our country if somebody sits on the throne, he will be immediately beheaded.” Saying this Birbal started looking at all the eight.

 Then he bowed to the seventh person and submissively requested “Your majesty, my salutations!”

The seventh man who was the authentic king stood astonished and replied “Welcome, Birbal, the wisest. How did you uncover the truth?”

“It was easy. All of you were very still and statue like in your posture. But the one magic word –beheaded- changed things. Except yours, all the seven pairs of eyes began showing restlessness with a shadow of fear, though, otherwise unmoving. On the other hand, your eyes were fearless, peaceful and looking amused.”

“Great, you won.” was the happy response of the Persian King.’

Khan finished the story.

“Now think Naushad, it is the presence of mind which saved us. Birbal did not hate or fear questions. But he used them to sharpen his thinking further. He looked for solutions. That should be the attitude.”

Birbal interfered “So, Naushad, listen. If I were you, my answer for ‘strengths and weakness’ would be: I have proficiency in horse riding, martial arts and Persian language. I have won several contests in these areas. My weakness is fear for the great and respected people..not about battle field. Now in front of all people like you, I am afraid to speak. However I will surely overcome this negative quality.”

Khan encouragingly told “Naushad, Look at your words. Compare. How the same sentence is  cleverly changed by Birbal!”

“Naushad, sometimes you need not tell your negative side  if it has nothing to do with your job. If it is serious enough to affect directly the day to day duties of the office, you must accept them and tell them how you will try to overcome those faults. Persistence never fails. We can change if we think so and start changing.”

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Note on ‘Ago and Before’:

Ago     : From now; Example:- I heard a police siren five minutes ago. ( From this minute 5 minutes ago)

                   We can use it to explain a time from the point  ‘now’ that is present moment.

Before: usually used to explain a past from past. ‘Last night’ is past.

              Last night I met our ex-president.

             (PAST)

              Before that I never had a chance to meet him.

              (Before last night-goes into past-beyond last night) means: Before last night I never met
                        ex-president.

What is the difference between “I am a teacher and I am working as a teacher’ ?

What would be your reaction if you had a chance of meeting with Birbal, Akbar, Tenali and Mullah eating pizza at the Seaview Hotel? Shocking? Unbelievable! But I had such an experience. Were they ghosts or Artists?

Wait.

Let me unfold my experience.

‘At the Seaview Hotel, there was Tenali Raman. Next to him was the wise Mullah. Akbar the Great and Birbal were as usual in serious discussion sitting opposite to each other.

I was astonished at this sight. What were these people doing? Where had they come from? Were they not dead? Was it my own imagination? Were they cinema actors directly from a shooting spot? No answers.

I watched them with a new interest. A bearer came and served them  pizza. By now I was convinced that these people might be drama actors or cine artists. I tried to move towards them. But I could not. Something drew me back. But I introduced myself shouting “Hey, I am Saketram. I am working as a teacher in English. What are you doing?”

A swift retort came “I am sitting here.” Reply seemed to have come from Akbar.Though I had doubts about my presence of mind, still I could feel the teasing tone

“What are you doing? Tell me.” This time I throw the question to Mullah. We could never expect a reasonable answer from this man of irony. What I expected was, just, what was his job.

 Mullah smiled at me “My dear friend, Open your eyes. I am talking to Tenali Raman.”


 Confused and irritated, I turned to Birbal.. “What are you doing?”

 “We are all sleeping? Don’t you see?” It was a pure sneer. There was a mockery in his tone.

I started doubting “How a sleeping man could tell that he is sleeping!” They were all actually sitting around a conference table. I felt let down like a fool when my simple question was not attended to.’

“Open your eyes and see!” someone familiar shouted at me in a high pitch. I brought my hands to my eyes but there were nothing except two hollow holes. Where were those eyes with which I had seen all these grand persona of History? With those hollow holes I began looking for my eyes around me so that I could have them back in my socket. (Don’t look for logic) Suddenly I could see nothing. It was complete darkness. I shuddered. I was horrified; terrified; scared and alarmed!

A soothing chill air along with a drizzle from the far…far away window attempted to bring me out of this bewilderment.

At last, with great difficulty I opened my eyes. My wife was spraying water on my face. The sight brought me back to my senses.I think that i was sleeping and dreaming. I became very alert.

She shouted “Are you dreaming? Blabbering something about Birbal. Don’t read too much in the night.If something goes wrong, don’t expect me to come to any Mental Hospital accompanying you.” As usual she never cared for my reply and promptly moved to attend her kitchen chores.

It was an immense relief to know that my meeting with Tenali, Akbar, Birbal and Mullah

was only a dream. I was really happy to have my eyes and sight back.( If you had such disorderly dreams, you might also feel the same relief)

I thought over the dream; Took notes to share them with you.

Actually my intention was to know their jobs by asking “What are you doing?” That is how most people ask.

If you ask me “what are you doing?”  My natural reply is “I am working as a teacher.”

But it is wrong.

When one wants to know about the occupation or job, the standard question should be:

                     What do you do?   (Not: what are you doing?)

And I realized that is why our old friends had answered: “I am sitting; I am talking to Tenali etc…" which frustrated me endlessly at that point in time. 

Well, what can I say; Akbar, Birbal, Tenali and Mullah drove home their point even in my dreams!

Note:

What are you doing? (A Present Continuous question)

You have to tell what you are doing now.

That was how those wise old people answered; they reported what they were doing at that point of time:

  I am sitting;

  We are eating;

   I am talking to Tenali etc. (All are true at that point of time)

The two main points of present progressive are:

1.      It tells about actions going on now.

2.      The action should be temporary in nature with a start and end.

Examples:

I am working as a clerk in a bank. (Means: work is temporary)

I am reading now. (Started a little ago and soon will finish)

He is eating pizza.

Next time when you would like to know anyone’s job, please ask “What do you do?”. 

When you are asked, reply “I am a banker. (Permanent)

He is a teacher; she is an analyst; I am a business man.”
Do not use Present continuous.

When to tell ?What to tell? How to tell? A Tenali guide

Delhi Sultan gave a grand welcome to the peace group led by King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. War is devastating! The kings understood this. So they called for a meeting of friendship. Everybody was happy. Poets, intellectuals, ministers and singers formed the group for peace. Both the Kings enjoyed the company of these aesthetic people. On listening to Mahabharat from Vijaynagar group, Adil Sha, Delhi’s sultan, requested the poets to rewrite Mahabharat. It should project him as hero. On listening to this strange wish, everybody got shocked. If King Krishna Devaraya’s council would fail to rewrite Mahabharat, there might be a war again resulting in loss and complete annihilation of peace and happiness of common people on all sides.

Krishna Devaraya called an emergency meeting of the ministers and asked for a solution. Nobody could offer any convincing suggestion.

Tenali Raman stood up “Your majesty, I can take up the matter to Sultan. But I will not tell anybody,  what I am going to discuss with Sultan. This is the only condition.”

There were skeptic murmurs among the ministers. One of the ministers emphatically rebuked “Tenali, Do you know to whom you are going to talk? Do you have any faint idea about the mood of Sultan Adil Sha? This is not our court. No Jokes! We need to tackle the problem.” The final words were really very harsh.

“Then.., Okay..Maharaj, I withdraw my proposal.” Tenali Raman went back.

“Is there anybody to stop this nonsense?” King raised his voice. But the reply was a stony silence. Again after a few minutes, the king turned and spoke to Tenali “ Rama, we cannot and should not recreate Mahabharat. It is sacred to us. Delhi badsha’s unintentional request has landed us in trouble.  I accept your condition. But convince the  Sultan about our inability.”

Next day sultan started asking King Krishna about his becoming ‘Dharnmaraja of Mahabharat’.

Tenali Raman, very cleverly, began “ Maharaj, Our writers are at it in our building. However, because you are going to be the hero of this new story, I expect you to give some suggestions.”

“ Come on, Tenali Ram, the joyous friend of King Krishna. Ask me. I am here to explain anything to you; I just want to listen to the new epic with my name in it.”

“Sure, Sultan, but I need a personal meeting with you.”

“It is granted, my dear friend. Let us go in to the room near by.” Sultan moved very elatedly and quickly too.

Raman followed and watched till all the doors were closed.

“My dear friend, you are like our Birbal in wisdom… Throw out your wild thoughts to me.”

“Sir, I have a strange query. Nobody knows what it is. Do not mistake me. I am here to protect the honor of your Majesty.”

“Mmmmm.. go on. I’ll clear those doubts in a wink of time” Words flew very confidently.

“Sir , you are right. You are the hero Dharmaraja in the new story. Your friends are Bima, Arjun and other brothers. But who is Draupathi? You know..all the five brothers were married to one lady.” This reply came like a boom from a canon. The thought of Draupathi being wife of five people, suddenly, sent shock waves in the mind of Sultan. His face went pale being awakened to the stark truth. He took some time to think. In a low voice he asked “Rama, Have you discussed this with anyone?”

“No, maharaj”

“ Then, keep quiet. No new Mahabharat. Forget about it. I shudder at the thought of being Dharma or sharing life with other four.”

After a thoughtful mood “ Rama, I have to thank you that you did not open the subject publicly in the court. Neither did you discuss this point with anybody. This is much descent of you. Thank god! Let us go to the court...”

The court was in an expectation and wondering what might be the outcome.

“My dear friends, let us move on to next phase of discussion. Rewriting epic is just a small and a trivial point. Forget it. King Krishna, you have a very clever thinking individual in Rama. You are lucky and blessed to have such a great counsel in your court”

After successful talks, the delegation returned. Tenali Raman was showered with open compliments from both the kings in the court. Sultan Adil Sha praised “ King Krishna, you have several great experts around you. I envy you. Above all you are complemented with Tenali Rama. He is like a single bright rose which dwarfs other flowers in our Moghul garden.”

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Note:

Tenali did not open the subject very openly! A counsel or a member of any team is to have this quality: Don’t openly discuss a negative point which you have to discuss in person. Call the person and have an open discussion with him.

But like the kings in the story, let us openly praise the deeds, achievements, greatness and wisdom of people. This will motivate your team

Usage:

Compliment = praise;     Complement= an addition, a perfection and completion.

 President Obama heaped compliments on the Asian contribution to the growth of The united States. 

A sweet ice cream is a good complement to a satisfying meal.