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!)

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  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.”