Leading with Soul India – A Strong Achieving Society

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gurgaon, Haryana, India, Republic of (Free-Press-Release.com) January 17, 2012 -- We ( in India) live and work in an achievement-reverent culture. We have always relied on our drive to do better than before, push the boundaries, get great results in the wake of challenges and constraints. We have always been an achieving society. We are also credited with giving the world many firsts and have been known to spawn inventors, creators, thought leaders and scientists.

Our hunger to achieve, to continually improve on what exists and our need to create a mark for ourselves on the world platform… has left us with much to be proud off. It is this drive to achieve that sets us apart. Dr. David McClelland’s* believed that achievement was a critical driver to organizational and national success. In ‘Achieving Society’ , his seminal study on the subject , he reported that a high concern with achieving in a country was followed by rapid national growth.

Continuing Dr. David McClelland’s research, we’ve found that Achievement is on the rise, particularly in the executive ranks. Our growth today stands as a resounding testimony to our Achievement Drive. We are one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Indian companies are on double digit growth trajectories and we are buzzing with the promise of a brighter more prosperous future.

Fuelling the Achievement drive through Superior Intellectual Horsepower

Most Indian companies have always impressed with their ambitious growth plans and forging ahead to achieve these plans at any cost… Often leaving behind a trail of unfinished projects, unhappy customers, unrealized outcomes and battle bruised employees in their wake… One of the key reasons for this is that while we focus a lot on creating plans, we do no devote as much passion or energy towards executing that plan. A survey of senior executives showed that firms achieve only 63% of the expected results of their strategic plans.

Execution is not just accomplishing a task or a goal, but also to achieve the underlying business objectives. A good execution management will focus on WHAT as well as HOW of an achievement. Execution management is linked to culture and people management and results in creating sustainable and real progress where all stakeholders feel engaged and satisfied.

We are recognized the world over as an intellectually gifted society and have often been called the ‘brain bank’ for the West. We have always given a high premium to intelligence and intellectual horsepower. From an early age – our society, education system and business environment is geared towards valuing, nurturing, fostering and rewarding intelligence.

Even if you look at the outstanding business leaders in India, they demonstrate extraordinary energy and persistence in overcoming the challenges they face. This is a key strength and big differentiator and it manifests itself in business acumen and the ability to make hard decisions about strategy, execution and resource allocation. It is the founding skill for Indian leaders and finds its root in well honed cognitive intelligence and acumen.

The question we need to ask ourselves is that – is this enough? Will this reliance on superior intellect be sufficient to help us achieve what we have set out for ourselves in the next stage of our journey … as a nation, as an economy and as business entities? Is it only the quantum and pace of growth / development that matter or is the nature of this growth and development important? How do we ensure that we keep achieving and yet continue to lead enriched and fulfilled lives both at work and in our extended communities? How do we ensure we are creating environments where individuals strive for results and at the same time feel supported to lead emotionally and socially fulfilling lives?

The need to complement Cognitive Intelligence with Emotional and Social Intelligence

Our environment has changed drastically and continues to do so. Even as we speak there is a shift in how work gets done, the nature and composition of our workforce is rapidly changing, the leadership roles in business have undergone tremendous change, leaner organizations and blurring structures characterize businesses today and there is never ending focus on achieving results. This in turn makes increasing demands on the individual specially in a result, efficiency and impact driven work environment – where every individual’s contribution counts – the spot light is on everyone. Such an environment demands more than just brain power to succeed and excel – it demands a special type of sensitivity, maturity and resilience – and hence the need for Emotional and Social Intelligence is more critical than ever. What makes the biggest difference are abilities such as being able to handle frustration, control emotions, and get along with other people..

So what does it mean to be Emotionally and Socially Intelligent?

Emotional and Social Intelligence addresses the emotional, personal, social, and survival dimensions of intelligence. It focuses on understanding oneself and others, relating to people, and adapting to and coping with the surroundings/ environment. At work the right (emotionally intelligent) people can make a big difference. They

Take an enterprise perspective
Have the ability to work collaboratively
Exhibit integrity
Are empathetic

Bring out the best in others

Daniel Goleman and the Hay Group have identified a set of competencies that differentiate individuals with Emotional Intelligence. The competencies fall into four clusters:

Self-Awareness: the ability to understand one’s emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
Self-Management: the capacity for effectively managing one’s motives and regulating behavior.9
Social Awareness: understanding the feelings of others and why they feel and act as they do.
Relationship Management: the ability to get results from others and reach personal goals

Source:http://ceomag.in/leading-with-soul/

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