Monday 7 December 2015

Free Sample Chapter - “Shortlist Your Employer: Acquire Soft Skills to Achieve Your Career and Leadership Success to Excel as a CEO”―Professor M.S.Rao




Dear friends,

Here is the sample chapter of my award-winning book titled “Shortlist Your Employer: Acquire Soft Skills to Achieve Your Career and Leadership Success to Excel as a CEO.” NY Times Bestselling Author and Inc Magazine’s Top 20 Leader, Orrin Woodward wrote foreword for this book. I appreciate your comment and share with your connections. 


Enhance Your Employability to Shortlist Your Employer

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart... pursue those. The moment that any life, however good, stifles you, you may be sure it isn't your real life." - A. C. Benson


During my leadership development training programs in companies some executives asked me how to fast-track their careers to grow as CEOs. Some of them raised questions on soft and hard skills. And many of them do not know what really the soft and hard skills are! I thought there is an urgent need to author a book highlighting the significance of soft skills to fast-track career to grow as CEOs. Since I earned my PhD in soft skills and provide soft skills training to companies, I authored this book.

Welcome to Shortlist Your Employer: Acquire Soft Skills to Achieve Your Career and Leadership Success to Excel as a CEO.   Conventionally employers shortlist job aspirants to fill their vacancies. However, this unconventional book underscores to shortlist your employer. It sounds strange, right! Your mind must have been embedded with an impression that it is common practice for the employers to shortlist their employees. But the fact is that you can also shortlist your employer.


You can Shortlist Your Employer!

If you are meritorious and are equipped with employability skills, you can shortlist your employer. If you are equipped with hard and soft skills, you can shortlist your employer. If you acquire right mindset, skill set and tool set, you can shortlist your employer. If you are equipped with self-management skills, job related skills and transferable skills, you can shortlist your employer. Hence, short listing your employer is an easy task if you are equipped with adequate knowledge, skills and abilities, and are employable and deployable in the corporate world.

I have an experience of shortlisting my employers during my lifetime as basically I have been choosy to pursue only my passionate areas. Similarly, you must be in a position to shortlist your employer based on your passion to fast-track your career to grow as a CEO. There is a myth among some job aspirants that employees are only in dire need to search for employers. The truth is that employers are more concerned to recruit the right talent to achieve organizational excellence and effectiveness. In fact, job seekers and job givers must be in a win-win position to make employment fruitful and meaningful.  Above all, these are the days of partnership between the job providers and the job seekers as the days of the employer and the employee relationship are getting obsolete gradually. 


How to Shortlist Your Employer

Laurence G. Boldt once remarked, "The decisions you make about your work life are especially important, since most people spend more of their waking lives working than doing anything else. Your choices will affect, not only yourself and those closest to you, but in some way the whole world." Therefore, you must choose the right employer based on your passions, career opportunities and monetary benefits. You must keep your priorities right. You must be clear about your career goals for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years from now. Emphasize more on your passion rather than money. If you follow your passions money will follow you naturally. Hence, identify your passions and choose your employer accordingly. If you choose the right employer and employment you don’t feel  working any more as you are engaged in your passionate profession. Choosing and shortlisting the right employer helps you balance your personal, professional and social life to provide meaning to your life. 


Love Your Employability, not Your Employer

Some of the employees in private organizations love their employers to safeguard their employments. They flatter their employers and pass on the information of their colleagues to their employers to be in their good books. They think that it is a way of demonstrating their loyalty to their organizations.  In fact, what they must understand is that they must love their employability rather than loving their employers.  A.P.J. Abdul Kalam rightly remarked, “Love your job but don't love your company, because you may not know when your company stops loving you.”

Employers appreciate employees who are committed and dedicated. They don’t appreciate flatterers and informers. Of course, they need informers among the employees who can pass them with genuine information about other employees to safeguard their organizational interests. It is known as informal communication which often serves as a feedback for the employers.

In the present context, employers are very serious and they respect the employees who deliver their goods properly. They appreciate the employees who add value to their organizations. The true employees work sincerely and deliver the goods as per the expectations of their employers.  It adds value to their resumes and enhances their employability. In fact, there is no permanent employment but only permanent employability. To ensure your permanent employability, you must regularly update your knowledge, skills and abilities. You must learn, unlearn and relearn with the changing times and technologies. This approach enhances your employability. It leads to earning respect from your employer and safeguarding your employment as well. Even if there is any problem with your present employer due to organizational politics you will be in a great demand elsewhere as you are already equipped with employability skills. Other employers are eagerly waiting to absorb you. Hence, love your employability, not your employer.


“You can give lifetime employability by training people, by making them adaptable, making them mobile to go other places to do other things. But you can’t guarantee lifetime employment.” – Jack Welch

References
Author’s You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/profmsr7  
Author’s Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/+ProfessorMSRao  
Author’s Vision 2030: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in    
Author’s Blogs:

Saturday 5 December 2015













“There is something unique in this soil, which despite many obstacles has always remained the abode of great souls.” ― Sardar Vallabhai Patel


One of the Indian leaders I admire the most is Sardar Vallabhai Patel whose birth anniversary coincides with mine. I would like to highlight this Indian legendary leader and lessons leaders must learn from him in this article.

Vallabhai Jhaverbhai Patel was born on 31 October 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat in India. He was a farmer by birth. He became a lawyer and freedom fighter, and is revered as the ‘Iron Man of India.’ He is affectionately called Sardar (chief or leader in English) Vallabhai Patel in India. He rose from humble origins. Mahatma Gandhi was his mentor. He was a man of very few words and was firm in his convictions. He played a crucial role for India’s Independence along with other leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. He became the first deputy Prime Minister in independent India. He was the pioneer of modern all-India services system. He united princely states in India and took police action to unite Hyderabad State into India. He died on 15 December 1950.

Vallabhai Jhaverbhai Patel was conferred with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honor in 1991. Indian Government began celebrating his birth anniversary as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) from 2014.  There are several leadership lessons to learn from him. Here are some them:


Leadership Lessons from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Be Bold: He was a very bold leader who did not hesitate to make tough decisions in pre-Independence and post-Independent India.  He led from the front without any fear or favor. He didn’t bother for unhealthy criticism. He was courageous to integrate Hyderabad and Junagarh whose leaders resisted joining India. He became a role model and inspiration for other freedom fighters in India for his courageous decisions.
Be a Strategist: He was a great strategist with a strong vision to integrate India as one nation and as a strong nation. His vision and strategy laid foundation stones for a strong and vibrant India. Additionally, he was a troubleshooter who showed right direction to the nation after attaining independence. He is highly admired for accomplishing the integration of princely states of India.
Be an Effective Negotiator: He was a skillful negotiator who built consensus amongst the different castes and communities through trust and transparency. He had the ability to carry all sections of people with his persuasion and negotiation skills. Prime Minister Nehru once remarked, "Sardar Patel’s name will live forever in history. He is the Architect of Modern India. He was a wise counselor in the hour of trial, a trustworthy friend and a mine of courage and inspiration."
Learn when to Hold and when to Fold: He was a great decision-maker who knew when to hold and when to fold. Once he made a decision, he never looked back. He moved forward irrespective of the outcome. He had the courage and conviction. That is why he is also known as the ‘Bismarck of India.’


Conclusion

“Your goodness is impediment in your way, so let your eyes be red with anger, and try to fight the injustice with a firm hand.” ― Sardar Vallabhai Patel

It is unfortunate that Indian history books did not give due attention and recognition to Sardar Patel for his contribution. They focused more on the achievements of Nehru, not Sardar Patel.  Although Nehru’s contribution cannot be underestimated, Sardar’s contribution is equally relevant and significant, and he needs to be given due recognition and respect for his extraordinary contribution.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel was a phenomenal leader of India. He had political acumen with an iron will power to take on the challenges aggressively. He was responsible for integration of India geographically and politically. He had several ideological differences with Pandit Nehru but worked with team spirit to ensure smooth transition from pre-independence to post-independence era. We Indians are proud to have such a great nationalist and patriot. He was one of the tallest Indian freedom fighters who will be remembered forever for his contributions. We must emulate his ideas and ideals to build a secular, strong and united India. Jai Hind!


“Faith is of no avail in absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work.” ― Sardar Vallabhai Patel




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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

“Apply Chanakya’s Four-Fold Strategy ― ‘Sama, Dana, Bhed and Dandopaya’ When Your College Owner Cheats You by not Giving Your Salary” ―Professor M.S.Rao











“Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead.” ― Chanakya


People use various strategies to get their things done. They use diversified tools and techniques to bring culprits to book. Most people use persuasion as a strategy to get their things executed effectively. If they fail to achieve the desired objectives, they punish others to achieve the desired outcome. Here is a four-fold strategy by ancient Indian political thinker, Chanakya known to many people but adopted by a few people. It is Sama, Dana, Bhed and Dandopaya. It means Chanakya advises people to use four strategies to get their things executed effectively or to address their challenges. First strategy is ‘Sama’ that means persuasion. When you want your tasks to be executed effectively, you must persuade others. If it fails, then use the second strategy ‘Dana’ which means offering incentives and benefits to others to get your tasks executed. If this second strategy also fails, use the third strategy ‘Bhed’ which means compare and contrast with others. That means differentiate with others. Tell clearly that when others can do their tasks effectively why you cannot do it. With this strategy, most of the tasks can be executed. The worst thing you can do to others is to compare with others. All are born unique in this world. Even twins cannot be alike in attitudes, temperaments and behaviors. When people are compared with others, it upsets them and the problems can be resolved easily and the tasks can be executed effectively. If this third strategy also fails, use the fourth and final strategy of ‘Dandopaya’ which means use the threat of punishment to get the things done or to resolve the problems.  Unfortunately, in real life, people use the first strategy of ‘Sama’. If it doesn’t work, they directly adopt the fourth strategy of ‘Dandopaya’ which is not appropriate and ideal to get the tasks executed effectively and resolve the problems successfully.

Whenever you resolve problems, attack only the issues, not individuals to avoid further complications. Be polite and assertive to the people because your objective is to resolve the challenges amicably rather than aggravating them. Once the issues are resolved, don’t drag them further. Close them forever. This is one of the sutras I shared in my award-winning book ‘21 Success Sutras for Leaders’ (Sutra # 9 Praise Publicly and Punish Privately). http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI  It was ranked as one of the Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year for 2013 (San Diego University) http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2015/06/21-success-sutras-for-leaders-sample.html


Conclusion

I adopted this four-fold strategy to resolve several challenges in my life and succeeded. I served in a few private colleges as a professor. One of the owners of the college cheated me by not giving more than three months of my salary in spite of being served with notice due to his administrative problems. Worse, he did not give my relieving order and service certificate. He cheats every leaving faculty by not paying last month salary. I adopted Chanakya’s four-fold strategy. Why don’t you adopt it?


“Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.” ― Publilius Syrus

References


If you like this article, Like and share Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-MSRao/451516514937414




Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.