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LEADERS
ISSUE 27 MAY 2019
DIGEST
BECOMING A
RESILIENT LEADER
Photo by Kayin Ho on Unsplash
LEADERS DIGEST
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CONTENTS
ISSUE 27 | MAY 2019
3| trust: the currency of leadership
7| The Unusual Lessons I Learnt Studying
Albert Einstein 9| Stop Paying Your Employees To
‘Figure Out’ How To Get Work Done
11| Stories Of Resilience, Perseverance And
Belief. 15| Managing Organisation Politics
18| Grit: The One Key To Greatness
20| Why And How Good Leaders Can Go
Astray 22| The Buck Has To Stop With The Boss
24| Holding Yourself Accountable For Your
Mistakes
26| How You Can Partner With ‘Stress’ To
Build Your Own Resilience 29| The Number one Failure Of Employees
31| powerful victims
33| Why Having “Grit” Is More Important
Than A High IQ
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2 Issue 27 | May 2019
LEADERS DIGEST
Trust:
The Currency of Leadership
BY RAJEEV PESHAWARIA
The other day, a colleague invited
me to teach a session in a leadership
development programme he was
running for 30 senior executives
from one of our client organisations.
He launched the session with a
provocative question: Who are three
people you trust the most in your life
currently, and why?
Almost all 30 executives named their mothers as one of their
three choices, with fathers running a close second. The third
choice varied among best friend, brother, sister, spouse, or a
religious figure. Think about this for a moment. We spend the
vast majority of our waking hours at work, yet not one of the
participants included a boss or co-worker among the most
trusted people in their lives.
When my colleague handed the floor to me, I jettisoned my
lesson plan. Instead, I dug deeper into the trust question.
My question became: “Who are three people currently in
your life upon whom your happiness and well-being most
depends?” You guess it: every single one of them listed their
boss as one of them.
Imagine! The one person most people’s well-being depends
upon the most does not make it to their most trusted list.
There were lots of opinions about why bosses don’t appear in
the trust list – we had a very robust and animated discussion
on it. Comments ranged from “My boss has no idea how
hard I work to get things done here” to “All he cares about
is results against stated goals so he can keep his superiors
happy… when was the last time he got his own hands
dirty?” After about twenty minutes, I finally got to the point I “Would you figure in your
wanted to make all along. Suppose the class were filled with
their subordinates, and suppose we asked them the same
subordinates’ top three most
questions? I asked. Pin drop silence. Next, I asked if they trusted list?”
Photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash Issue 27 | May 2019 3
LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 3
should be in the list, and they agreed to succeed. It got to a point that the company would easily move ahead
that they should indeed. “Why?” I huge amount of time I had to spend of competition. Sensing his struggle, I
asked. The group intuitively concluded on watching out for land mines began called him to my office for a chat, and
that high trust between them and their to impact my work, and the work of told him that I trusted him completely.
subordinates would equate to higher my team as a whole. Sounds familiar? “Be your normal collaborative self,
team and individual performance, and Luckily, I had a boss I could trust. I listen to what your peers have to say,
lower stress for all parties. opened up to her, and she assured and if you are still convinced, remain
Granted, there are plenty of bosses me that she would watch my back firm on your suggestions. If they still
that indeed should not be trusted. and take care of the issues. Based on think of you as stubborn, don’t worry,
These are self-centred people who her assurance, I went back to work we will correct that perception later,”
abuse their authority for personal gain. with full energy, and my team and I I told him. He did exactly that and the
I have no advice for such bosses other ended up creating amazing results project was a huge success, and was
than that they should take a hard look for the bank. Years later, when one of implemented in record time. Later, his
in the mirror. But if you are the type my subordinates was struggling to peers understood too.
of boss that genuinely cares for his convince his peers about approaching
people, and believes in the power of a project in line with his suggestions, In his book The Speed Of Trust,
collaborative performance, read on. I was able to pay that trust forward. Stephen M.R. Covey points out that
My subordinate was worried that his high trust equals high speed and low
The logic is simple. If people trust peers would complain to me about cost, whereas low trust means low
you, they will give their 110% to their him being obstinate, and not a team speed and high cost. He cites the case
work. I remember a few years ago player. He could not tolerate the of aviation security in the US. Prior
while I was working at a global bank, thought of me (his boss) thinking of to 9/11 one could reach the airport
I ran into trouble with a couple of him as un-collaborative. At the same just half an hour before flight time
powerful people who (due to their own time, he was convinced that if his and easily make it on board. Why?
insecurities) did not want my function suggestions were implemented, our Because people had a high degree of
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash
4 Issue 27 | May 2019
LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 4
trust in aviation security. Now it takes improvement. You are now convinced the 80:20 rule applies, meaning that
anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. While that he is a misfit on your team, and 20% or the people produce 80% of
the extra security measures have needs to be let go. Even if you handle the results. To this rule of thumb, add
made flying safer, Covey points out the conversation (of letting him go) the fact that the top 20% need to be
that the added cost of TSA security in the nicest possible way, what are supported by the next 60% in order
ultimately shows up on every airline the chances that he will trust your for the organization to achieve its full
ticket. In another example, Covey sites judgment and respect the fact that you potential, it is easy to see why it is a
the added time and money costs of gave him every possible opportunity to good idea to focus on the next 60 as
implementing the Sarbenes-Oxley Act succeed? well. As for the bottom 20, well, no
which was designed to improve trust in matter how much you try, not everyone
public markets in the wake of the Enron Even in situations that don’t demand will love you. Trying to win the trust
and Wordcom scandals. On the other firing someone, the chances of earning of your least productive people is,
hand, he gives the example of Warren the trust of a subordinate with less unfortunately, not an efficient use of
Buffet deciding to acquire McLane than stellar performance are low. As a time and effort, particularly for today’s
Distribution – a $23billion company manager, you will need to give tough time-starved business leaders.
– from Wal-Mart in just one two-hour feedback, and demand higher levels
meeting because of high trust between of performance. Very few people Earning Trust
Berkshire Hathaway and Wal-Mart. have high enough maturity and self-
Besides the speedy conclusion of the awareness to fairly judge their boss’ Now, if you buy the above arguments
deal, both companies saved millions of behavior towards them. Let’s face it, it (that trust is the currency of leadership
dollars in legal and investment banker is much easier to blame the boss than and that leaders need to at least ensure
fees. to accept responsibility for your own they have the trust of the 20+60%),
performance. then another key question emerges –
A team with high trust will similarly how can leaders best earn the trust of
produce results faster and at lower So what are bosses to do here? their subordinates? While the answer
cost. It is clear that trust is one of Should bosses give up on trying differs according to context, I have
the keys to organisational or group generally observed that leadership
performance. I therefore call it the to earn their subordinates’
trust is a combination of six factors:
currency of leadership. But can bosses trust? Clearly, that would be Commitment, Character, Competence,
ever make the Most Trusted list? Does a shame in light of our “high Consistency, Caring, and Centricity.
the authority that bosses have over trust = high performance and Let me explain each of them briefly.
their subordinates automatically low cost” argument above. One
make them untrustworthy in the eyes 1. Commitment
of subordinates? As one participant idea to maximize trust, and
put it, “Besides being good to them, therefore performance, in your Commitment is the cause or purpose
I also have to ensure discipline in my team might be the 20:60:20 the leader pursues. It is the vision
team, and I need to provide tough strategy: she has for a better future. If this
constructive feedback when needed. vision provides hope and inspiration
This automatically puts me at a 1. Ensure your highest performing to people, they willingly give their
disadvantage when it comes to winning and most dedicated (top 20%) trust (and followership) to her. On the
their trust….. no matter what you do, subordinates trust you without a other hand, if they don’t connect with
no matter how fair you are, the moment doubt the leader’s vision at an emotional
they take one tough stand, bosses are 2. Maintain a reasonably high level of level, or doubt the commitment of
seen as self-centered, authoritative, trust with your solid citizens (the the leader towards the vision, they
and therefore untrustworthy.….” After middle 60%) – subordinates that will find it difficult to trust the leader.
grappling with this issue for quite a are good but not great Commitment towards a purpose is
while, I have to admit there is at least 3. Don’t invest too much time trying the primary driver of leadership trust.
some truth in what this participant to get your bottom 20% to trust If one is to follow a leader with full
said. Let’s take a very real scenario. One you commitment, there should be no doubt
of your direct reports has been under- that the leader is also fully committed
performing for a while now. You have If you are wondering why the 20:60:20 to the stated purpose.
invested in training, coaching and have strategy and why not 100:0, you have
given them a lot of direct feedback a legitimate question. Here’s my What is your leadership purpose? Are
on how to improve, but have seen no perspective: In most organizations, you fully dedicated to it?
Issue 27 | May 2019 5
LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 5
2. Character it, it is hard to trust someone who is a much higher level of trust from
inconsistent with their dependability. their subordinates than Takers; and
Next is Character, which is the set of In today’s increasingly competitive that in the long run, Givers are more
values that the leader lives by. Not world of business there is very little successful.
only is it important for followers to room for error. One member’s
know that the leader is committed inconsistency can cost the entire team Are you self-centric or other-centric?
to a worthy purpose, they must also dearly. Are you a Giver or a Taker?
believe that the leader wants to pursue
that purpose by playing according to Do you keep your word and deliver Earning the trust of one’s subordinates
the right set of values. Imagine two what you promise almost all the is not just a soft, nice-to-have asset.
leaders are fighting for a just cause that time, regardless of circumstances? It is hard currency that can make the
you strongly believe in. One is pursuing difference between success and failure.
success through violent means, while 5. Caring There are hardly any professions today
the other is using peaceful means. in which individuals can be successful
Which one will you trust more and There are two types of bosses in the without the help of team members.
follow? The answer will depend on world, ones that genuinely care for To ensure you have enough trust
your own set of values. My goal here their people and others that don’t. If from your subordinates, consider the
is not to differentiate between right I know that my boss will always take 20:60:20 strategy and make sure your
and wrong. Rather, it is to highlight the care of my best interests, I will be more top 20% performers fully trust you,
fact that character (deeply held values) willing to give her my very best efforts and the next 60% adequately respect
plays a huge role in earning trust. and energy. If, on the other hand, I have you. A good place to start might be to
a boss that is likely to throw me under try and honestly answer each of the
What are your deeply-held values the bus to save his own skin, I will use six-C questions. Just as you can assess
that you will never compromise, no a big part of my energy in taking care your own trustworthiness by honestly
matter what? of myself. reflecting on the six-C questions,
you can also use them to assess the
3. Competence Do you truly care for your people, trustworthiness of others.
and do they know that you do? Do
In today’s increasingly complex world, you feel their pain, and do you derive
just having strong people skills is not intrinsic pleasure from enabling
enough. To earn trust, a leader must their success? EARNING THE TRUST OF
have core competence in her chosen ONE'S SUBORDINATES IS
field. The old school of management 6. Centricity
says that a general manager need
NOT JUST A SOFT,
not be a subject matter expert. In Finally, the focus of the boss’ actions NICE-TO-HAVE ASSET.
today’s highly complex markets, it has and intentions determines his trust-
become almost impossible for a rank worthiness. Some bosses are self-
outsider who does not have sufficient centric and some are other-centric. IT IS HARD CURRENCY
knowledge and expertise about the Self-centric people care most about THAT CAN MAKE THE
business to earn the respect of his themselves, and strive hard to create
subordinates. a better future for themselves. In the
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
words of Adam Grant, author of Give SUCCESS AND FAILURE.
Do you have core competence in and Take, such people are Takers i.e.
your chosen field? Does your level of they take more from society than they
expertise attract people to work on give. Their worldview is one of self-
your team? preservation: “If I don’t take care of
myself and maximize my own gain, Rajeev is the CEO of the Iclif Leadership and
Governance Centre, author of the Wall Street Journal
4. Consistency no one else will.” Other-centric people and Amazon best seller Open Source Leadership
are Givers i.e. they give more than they (McGraw Hill 2017), Too Many Bosses, Too Few
Leaders (Simon & Schuster 2011), co-author of Be
Consistency is about delivering on take from society. Their worldview is the Change (McGraw Hill 2014) and a regular writer
your commitments without fail. If you one of win-win: “If I take care of others, for Forbes, Rajeev is an out-of-the-box thought
leader on leadership, management and corporate
do what you say, and deliver what you my interests will be taken care of governance. He has extensive global experience
promise, people will trust you. If you automatically.” It is well documented in leadership and organisational consulting, with
don’t, they won’t. Simple. Let’s face through research that Givers enjoy a particular focus on uncovering personal and
organisational “leadership energy.”
6 Issue 27 | May 2019
LEADERS DIGEST
The Unusual Lessons I Learnt Studying Albert Einstein BY ROSHAN THIRAN
“ “
The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
~ Albert Einstein ~
American businessman and retail he failed to adapt to the regimented Although he played a role in its
entrepreneur J.C. Penney once said: structure of the school. development, Einstein was not
“Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and involved in the project itself due to his
I will give you a man who will make His work and legacy pacifist tendencies.
history. Give me a man without a goal, Renouncing his German citizenship in
and I will give you a stock clerk.” 1896, Einstein became a Swiss citizen Following the attack in 1945 on
in 1901. Unable to secure an academic Hiroshima, Japan, Einstein became a
In 1905, German-born Swiss patent position, he picked up work as a patent strong advocate for restricted usage
clerk, Albert Einstein (1879–1955), clerk. of the atomic bomb, and believed it
proved that statement right when he should be used solely as a means for
published works that would change The job gave him the space he needed deterrence against any future conflict.
the world’s understanding of science. to work on his research.
After World War II, he focused all
Einstein was an iconoclastic genius In 1905, he published works in a his efforts on finding a unified field
who transformed the world of physics prestigious German academic journal theory that would seek to explain
through his discoveries. Most notably, that would later lead to him winning a the very workings of the universe at a
his theory of relativity and the famous Nobel Prize. fundamental level.
equation “E=mc2” – a formula that
helped lay the groundwork for atomic Included in his work was the first In the last few years of his life, Einstein
power and the atomic bomb. exploration of what would become his remained true to his reclusive nature,
Theory of General Relativity. immersing himself in his work and
A world without Einstein might have left shunning the spotlight.
us today without the global positioning In 1921, he was awarded the Nobel
system (GPS), televisions, digital Prize in physics and, 12 years later, he He died of heart failure at the age of 76
cameras, the internet, smartphones, fled from the Nazis to America where in 1955, telling a doctor shortly before
and many other technologies. he took up a position at Princeton his death that he refused to receive
University, remaining there until his surgery, saying: “I want to go when
Born in Württemberg, Germany, the death in 1955. I want. It is tasteless to prolong life
young Einstein developed a deep artificially. I have done my share, it is
sense of curiosity about the world. Einstein and his fellow colleague, Leo time to go. I will do it elegantly.”
Szilard, wrote a letter to President
Although he had a hard time adapting Franklin D Roosevelt in 1939, warning Einstein’s work and legacy continues
to his schooling years in Munich, him of Germany’s nuclear capability. to inspire generations of scientists who
it’s often mistakenly presumed that build on his work and create many of
he struggled academically. On the They suggested that the United States the advancements we enjoy today in
contrary, he excelled. begin developing its own nuclear science and technology, medicine and
weapons, which led to the famous beyond.
However, possessing a rebellious mind, ‘Manhattan Project’.
Issue 27 | May 2019 7
LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 7
On the other hand, imagination can of courage, to move in the opposite
3 Einsteinian Qualities take us anywhere and develop our direction.”
minds to ask questions that haven’t
been considered previously. In our complex world, a key lesson we
can learn from Einstein is to simplify.
If we want children to be intelligent, To him, the best solutions were the
Einstein suggested we should read simple ones.
them fairy tales. If we want them to be
even more intelligent, he advised that As I observe great leaders, they all
we read them more fairy tales. execute seamlessly because everything
they do is simple.
Knowledge can tell us what’s
impossible – imagination is what helps There is no complexity in the change
As I studied his life, I found they drive, nor in their communications.
to transform the impossible into the
numerous lessons that leaders This makes it easy for everyone to be
extraordinary.
today can learn from him. aligned.
As a deeply passionate leader in Knowing you are ignorant Einstein knew the secret of success – to
his field, Einstein was obsessed All three of his ‘talents’ stem from one
simplify and keep things simple.
with the work he carried out. This simple leadership truth – great leaders
obsession was driven by three main know they are ignorant. Yes, you read "What about us? Do we drive
qualities: that right! simplicity in every part of our
Einstein highlights something you lives and organisation?"
1. Curiosity
“I have no special talent. I am only generally hear from great leaders –
they know they don’t know. And this Final thoughts
passionately curious.” A final lesson from Einstein was his
drives them to keep learning.
humility to accept that he was human
Einstein was constantly asking
Einstein’s insatiable curiosity and and made mistakes.
questions and forever in a state of
objective uncertainty. perseverance were driven by his belief
that he lacked knowledge. His biggest mistake (which we now
know today, may not have been a
In fact, he once rejected an invitation to
So many times, we read Einstein’s mistake after all!) was surrounding
become Israel’s second Prime Minister
journals and letters stating he didn’t his predictions about the expanding
because of his objectiveness, saying
know the answer, hence he had to keep universe.
that he lacked “the natural aptitude
and the experience to deal properly” learning.
When another scientist, Edwin Hubble,
with people. We learn much in our younger days proved the universe is expanding,
but, as we age, we often move from Einstein immediately ditched his
2. Perseverance
gathering knowledge to impacting theory and admitted it was his greatest
“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I
wisdom. However, our wisdom is as blunder.
stay with problems longer.”
good as the knowledge we have.
Great leaders quickly realise their
So much of success comes from the
As we stop gathering knowledge, we mistakes and learn from it. They admit
ability to keep pushing on in the face
become less wise. Einstein remained it and use it to build themselves up.
of adversity. Often, people fail not
because they’re not good or smart wise to the end by constantly telling
himself he was ignorant and didn’t Do we really admit when we are
enough, but because they give up on wrong? Do we use these mistakes to
their goals. know enough.
build ourselves up?
Einstein was at the opposite end of the As leaders, we must learn to emulate
Einstein and keep reminding ourselves Are we learning daily? Are we being
spectrum, tenacious to his last breath. simple in all we do? Let’s emulate
of our lack of knowledge and
ignorance. And that might keep driving Einstein and be a leader!
3. Imagination
“Imagination is more important than ourselves to learn.
knowledge.”
The power of simplicity
While knowledge is useful, it’s also Einstein claimed: “Any intelligent fool Roshan is the founder and CEO of the
Leaderonomics Group. He believes that everyone
limited, and often short-lived when the can make things bigger, more complex. can be a leader and make a dent in the universe, in
new replaces the old. It takes a touch of genius, and a lot their own special ways.
8 Issue 27 | May 2019
LEADERS DIGEST
Stop Paying Your Employees To
‘Figure Out’ How To Get Work Done
BY DR RAVISHANKAR GUNDLAPALLI
Having founded a company in the employee-to-employee learning space, there is a
thread about learning that is always running in my brain.
An incident at home triggered an interesting thought on this topic.
'Go figure'
AN ‘AHA’ MOMENT ABOUT Had I just given her the answer, she Similar to the situation I was in, the
LEARNING would not have learnt anything. professor also has the answers, but
One Thursday evening, I was catching She would also not have a feeling of does not give them away. Even if the
up on office work at home on our accomplishment. student were to approach the professor
dining table. for help, a good teacher is likely to ask
That was that ‘aha’ moment, right a few open-ended questions, and get
My daughter was working on her there. I thought about how learning the student to proceed in the right
physics homework sitting right across fundamentally has a different purpose direction.
the table. She was complaining how in college and in the workplace.
tough a particular problem was and By letting the student struggle and
when I looked over, I knew exactly what LEARNING IN COLLEGE ‘figure out’ the answer on their own,
she should do to solve the problem. In college, a student’s primary purpose the professor is helping the student
is to learn new concepts and master learn.
Rather than just tell her how to solve the art of learning, i.e. learning how to
it, I left her alone to think through the learn along the way. There is another magic that happens
steps and figure out which formulae to in this process – the professor and the
use to find the solution. An hour later, The professor is there to explain the student strengthens their relationship,
she exclaimed in joy that she ‘figured concepts and assign practice problems which remains long after the student
out’ the process. to help the students learn by doing. graduates.
Issue 27 | May 2019 9
LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 9
LEARNING IN THE
WORKPLACE
Let us now look at learning in the
workplace. The employee’s primary
purpose is to get things done and
move the company forward with
stellar products, innovative ideas or by
bringing in more revenue.
Let us look at a situation where a co-
worker has a problem in a particular
area, and you happen to have prior
demonstrated experience in exactly
the same area.
When the co-worker comes to you for
help, do you let them ‘figure out’ the
solution, or will you immediately share
‘Man, this is a tough one.’
some insights and provide specific
steps to solve the problem so the co-
Here is a side-by-side comparison of learning and its purpose, in college and in the
worker can make immediate progress?
workplace.
Letting employees ‘figure out’ the
solutions to their problems is a
colossal waste of valuable time and
productivity.
The impact can be much worse if the
VS
employees do not even know who in COLLEGE WORKPLACE
the company has the knowledge to
solve their problem. As a result, they The company is paying the
Student is paying the institution
end up spending hours ‘figuring out’ employee to learn and get things
to learn and be certified.
the answers on the internet or intranet. done quickly.
Companies that don’t empower their
employees to learn from each other Letting the student 'figure out' Letting the employee 'figure out'
and to solve problems quickly, lose answers is the right thing to do. answers is the wrong thing to do.
topline and bottomline from wasted Employee earning less than
time and lost productivity. Student earning less than an
A-grade is not okay as it directly
A-grade is okay as long as
affects the company's topline and
When enabled, the ‘teacher employee’ some learning is happening.
bottomline
earns recognition and feels more
significant for sharing, and the ‘learner All students, including A-graders All employees, especially A-graders,
employee’ gains new insights and gets need to graduate to launch their should be retained for as long as
the job done faster. Both the company careers and build a strong possible for the company to remain
and the employees benefit in the reputation for the college. competetitive and to grow.
process. Learning should be made a bit Learning should be as fast and easy
difficult than usual so that as possible so results are achieved
learning actually happens. in the shortest amount of time.
Dr Ravishankar is the chief executive officer and
founder of MentorCloud, a social learning solution
for enterprises to help their employees discover,
A FINAL NOTE
connect and learn from experts inside their own Learning and development executives in companies need to re-imagine learning
organisation. He is also a faculty partner with in their organisations, to achieve the true purpose of learning and to get things
Leaderonomics.
done quickly. This is good for the employees, and for the business.
10 Issue 27 | May 2019LEADERS DIGEST
Stories Of Resilience,
Perseverance And Belief.
- LESSONS FROM THE LIVES OF ACCLAIMED MUSICIANS -
BY JUSTIN OOI T.Y.
M USIC has provided
entertainment, inspiration
and relaxation to human
beings since the dawn of
“All the best parts of art come
from pain turned to celebration”,
said English musician and actress,
Natalia Kills.
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
(1756 – 1791)
As a child prodigy, he endured an
ambitious father who dragged him
civilisation. to perform at international concerts,
This pretty much sums up starting at the tender age of six.
Along the way, it became big the bittersweet life of many
Bear in mind, these musical tours
business too, raking in US$17.3 great musicians and how they
covered countries across Europe in
billion in total revenue worldwide channelled their pain into music,
the 1700s, where young Mozart faced
for 2017, according to the transforming it into a melodious primitive travelling conditions. While
International Federation of the celebration of the indomitable on tour, he suffered a near-fatal illness
Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) human spirit. when he was nine.
Global Music Report 2018.
We take a look at the lives of five As an adult, he experienced being
Nevertheless, music remains an acclaimed musicians over the fired by his employer, the Archbishop
art, written and performed by centuries for characteristics that Colloredo in Vienna. To add insult to
creative geniuses who seem to enabled them to scale to great injury, his father sided against him in
this quarrel!
have been born with a melody in heights in the world of music,
their soul. amidst personal trials.
Issue 27 | May 2019 11LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 11
During his lifetime, Mozart achieved begun to deteriorate in his 20s, when around to witness the thunderous
fame as a musician but went through he noticed a buzzing sound in his applause of the audience because he
poverty in the latter part of his life ears. was unable to hear it.
before passing away at the age of 35.
The progressive loss of hearing GLORIA ESTEFAN (1957 – )
Talk about suffering for his art. left Beethoven feeling devastated Multi award-winning singer-
as a professional musician and songwriter Gloria Estefan started her
Yet Mozart has become immortalised caused him great difficulty in daily early life as a refugee.
through his classical masterpieces communication. He wrote a letter
such as Serenade in G Major (many to his brothers when he was 32, As a toddler, she fled from Cuba with
readers would be familiar with the describing both suicidal thoughts her parents to the United States (US)
tune, if not the title) and is celebrated and a determined resolve to keep on in 1960 after the Cuban Revolution.
as one of the greatest composers and living and making music. Estefan’s father, Jose, was part of
musicians of all time. the 2506 Brigade, a band of Cuban
With sheer willpower, Beethoven refugees who were involved in the
Throughout his short but productive succeeded in becoming a musical unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion to
life, he composed over 600 musical legend despite his setback. Over overthrow Fidel Castro.
pieces and greatly influenced Western time, he was no longer able to play at
classical music. concerts that raked in the big bucks – He managed to return to his family
much like it does for rock stars today. in the US, where he joined the US
What was the secret to his prolific Army and was sent to serve two years
success as a musician? Mozart once So instead of despair and suicide, he in the Vietnam War. He came back
said, “I pay no attention whatever to chose to concentrate on composing. diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
anybody’s praise or blame. I simply
follow my own feelings.” How did he do it? Fortunately, As a child, Gloria had to care for her
because Beethoven played and father and younger sister while her
Clearly, he was a man determined to listened to music extensively in the mother worked during the day and
march to his own drumbeat. Imbued first three decades of his life, he had attended school at night.
with a strong belief in his own talent a solid understanding of written
and purpose, he was a showman but music and how musical instruments “When my father was ill, music was
not a people-pleaser. and vocals would bring the notes on my escape,” Estefan revealed in an
paper to life. interview with the Washington Post.
So, take a page from Mozart’s life As a little girl, whenever she was sad
manuscript and chart your own path Furthermore, since it was a gradual and overwhelmed by the weight of
in your chosen career. hearing loss, Beethoven was still able the world she would hide in her room
to imagine how his compositions and sing, rather than cry.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN would sound like. Beethoven also
(1770 – 1827) improvised when composing at the She would turn this form of emotional
At risk of stating the obvious, it’s piano as his condition worsened, by release into a career, starting out as
mighty hard to be a musician let physically feeling the vibrations of the the lead singer with the Miami Sound
alone a great one if you have hearing notes on the instrument. Machine before embarking on a
disabilities. successful solo career.
This goes to show that both
Yet Beethoven, one of the classical theoretical understanding and Her rising stardom and life was
greats, composed some of his best practical experience in our chosen threatened in 1990. Estefan was
works in the final 15 years of his life craft can go a long way towards saving critically injured in an accident when
when he was almost completely deaf. us during the storms in our career. It a truck ran into her band’s tour bus
pays to put in time and effort for long- on a snow-covered highway in the
He had a good start in his career, term success. Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania.
composing a couple of piano
concertos, six string quartets, and his Beethoven personified both triumph This occurred as she was returning
first symphony by the time he was 30. and tragedy at the end of the premiere from a meeting with then, US
of his Ninth Symphony, which he president, George H. W. Bush
However, his hearing had already directed in 1824. He had to turn regarding her participation for an
12 Issue 27 | May 2019LEADERS DIGEST
anti-drug campaign. Estefan suffered a teenager and a young guitar and Brazilian music. He’s probably
a broken vertebra and required enthusiast, it struck me that even the the most famous cellist in modern
surgery to implant two titanium rods rich and famous were not immune history.
to fix her spine. She went through to calamity and sorrow. Not even my
painful physical rehabilitation for idol, Eric Clapton. As a child, he found it quite
almost a year before going back to disconcerting to cope with his
performing. Clapton took time to grieve away from own divergent background as an
the public eye before channelling his immigrant. This included the mix
Very aptly, she sang her song, Coming pain by co-writing Tears in Heaven of languages and cultures that
Out of the Dark for the first time at the with Will Jennings, for the soundtrack surrounded him, having Chinese-
American Music Awards in 1991 where of the movie Rush. The song went on speaking parents and then moving
the audience gave her a standing to win three Grammy Awards for Best from France to the US at age seven.
ovation. Pop Vocal Performance, Male; Song
of the Year, and Record of the Year in But as a young boy, Ma’s resilience
The little refugee girl from an 1993. shone through as he not only settled
impoverished family whom we know in well in the US but thrived as a bright
as Gloria Estefan today has also Even more meaningful is the fact young musician. As a child prodigy,
brought us beloved hits over the that Clapton lent his voice in public he performed for presidents Dwight
decades like Rhythm is Gonna Get You, safety campaigns to raise awareness D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.
Words Get in the Way, Here We Are and for childproofing windows and
more. staircases, so other parents would Later, he would go on to graduate
not have to go through the pain he from the Juilliard School and Harvard
While our life’s journey may not be as suffered. University.
dramatic as Estefan’s, learning how
to deal with stress and pain in an YO-YO MA (1955 – ) A key ingredient behind his success
empowering manner; be it singing,
exercising or talking with a trusted
friend, can help us cope better in
dealing with work and personal
challenges.
To date, Gloria Estefan has sold
an estimated 100 million records
worldwide and won three Grammy
Awards.
ERIC CLAPTON (1945 – )
Clapton is considered one of the
greatest guitarists of our time. One
of his most memorable and soulful
hits, Tears in Heaven released in 1991
and was, not surprisingly, born out of
personal tragedy.
In 1990, Eric Clapton lost his manager
and also fellow musician and friend,
Stevie Ray Vaughan in a helicopter
accident. Tragedy struck again on A French-born American cellist can be summed up in three words:
March 20, 1991, when Clapton’s of Chinese descent, Ma’s musical practice, practice, practice.
four-year-old son, Conor died after repertoire covers a wide variety of
falling from the 53rd-floor window cultural influences. Besides playing Pop psychology writer, Malcolm
of his mother’s friend’s New York City classical music, he has performed Gladwell espoused the concept that
apartment. and recorded an array of folk music 10,000 hours of deliberate practice is
including American bluegrass, required for someone to be a world-
When I first heard this story as traditional Chinese melodies, tangos class master of his art. This principle
Issue 27 | May 2019 13LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 13
was made famous by his bestseller of delinquent behaviour, substance CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Outliers, which highlights examples abuse and domestic violence here – All in all, these musical greats come
such as Bill Gates and The Beatles. due to the pressures of the spotlight, from various eras, social, cultural
Yo-yo Ma has persevered both as a and economic backgrounds. The
We haven’t clocked how many hours musician and person. common thread? Their passion and
Ma has practised over the years when achievements as musicians.
he first started performing on the Despite winning 18 Grammy Awards,
cello at age five until today. However, he shows no sign of diva behaviour. Underneath their musical genius lies
it would be safe to say he would have He is loved by fans worldwide for his the inner resilience and perseverance
spent thousands of hours practising humble and cheerful manner on top of that helped them rise through times
over the 58-year span of his performing his humanitarian efforts. of adversity and kept them grounded
career. amidst all the accolades.
Ma founded the Silk Road Ensemble in
In line with Gladwell’s idea of 1988 with a vision to “create music that We too will experience highs and lows
“deliberate practise,” Ma highlighted engages difference, sparking radical in our career and personal life. The
that more than just quantity, it is the cultural collaboration and passion- next time we turn on the music, just
quality practice that matters. driven learning to build a more hopeful remember there are often stories of
world.” sheer grit behind the sweet melodies
“Practicing is not only playing your that bring us so much joy.
instrument, either by yourself or Inspired by the historical Silk Road
rehearsing with others – it also that bridged the East and the West,
includes imagining yourself practising. the musical troupe aims to use music
Your brain forms the same neural to bridge the gap between people of
connections and muscle memory disparate cultures in a world that is
whether you are imagining the task or often fraught with divisions today.
actually doing it,” Ma was quoted in a
Justin Ooi T.Y., brand director at Go Communications,
New York Times article. Ma has performed at numerous benefit has 16 years of experience in corporate
concerts for humanitarian groups over communications and marketing. His professional
experience provides him with rich insights in public
While many child prodigies and the years. Not surprisingly, he has been relations and brand-building through strategic
superstars have ‘crashed and burned’ a United Nations Messenger of Peace engagement with stakeholders.
along the way – cue tabloid stories since 2006.
14 Issue 27 | May 2019LEADERS DIGEST
MANAGING
ORGANISATION POLITICS BY MICHAEL E. KOSSLER
What’s your reaction when you hear In his excitement, he asked a co- finally, outright sabotage, both direct
the phrase, “organisation politics” worker, Jürgen, who had been working and indirect through gossip, rumours,
or its more colloquial phrase, “office on a very similar track, to double or the withholding of vital information
politics”? Do you cringe and grit check his findings. Jürgen confirmed and resources.
your teeth? Do unpleasant memories the findings and congratulated Chan.
come to mind? Do you find yourself However, the next morning, during While it may be hard to believe
muttering expletives under your a team meeting, the project leader given the previous examples, not all
breath or stomping your feet? If your announced that Jürgen had discovered organisational or office politics is bad.
answer to any of these questions is a new potential molecule. Given that In fact, one way to consider politics is
yes, join the crowd. Many of us have Jürgen’s research was very similar to to view it as the way things get done in
negative reactions to either of these Chan’s, it was hard to prove that he had your company. Think about it. Any time
phrases and for good reason. taken credit for Chan’s work. The result you try and sell an idea or influence
was, Jürgen got the recognition for the a decision, you are engaging in office
At some point in our careers, we, or discovery and eventually a promotion. politics. Remember that pre-meeting
someone we know, may have been the Other examples of office politics you had with a couple of co-workers…
victim of some form of organisational include: being passed over for a new right before the big meeting with the
or office politics. For example, Chan, a position when you were clearly the big boss?
research scientist I knew, was working best candidate; not recognising or
for a medium-sized pharmaceutical understanding the unwritten rules of That was office politics.
company. He was part of a project team the “game”; not being able to “sell” your
working to identify new molecules ideas to superiors because you do not For a few minutes, let’s take a step
to combat diabetes. After 18 months have the right support; not being part of back and look at politics realistically
of hard work, Chan thought he had key networks and, consequently, being and without a jaded point of view.
discovered a potential breakthrough. unaware of important information; or How do you define organisational or
Issue 27 | May 2019 15LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 15
office politics? I particularly like the means to an outcome can go astray. as depicted below. On the left side
definition that Rick Brandon and Marty Do you remember the American of the scale is an approach that I’ve
Seldman use in their book, Survival of energy company, Enron? Enron was labelled “under political”. In other
the Savvy. They define organisation the company that flamed out in a words, this is a person who avoids
politics as the “informal, unofficial and spectacular bankruptcy in 2001 when politics by turning the proverbial
sometimes behind the scenes efforts it became known that its reported blind eye to it. The right side of the
to gain influence, sell ideas, impact the financial condition had systematically scale is labelled “over political” where
organisation, increase personal power been manipulated through a creatively- behaviour is Machiavellian. There are
or achieve other outcomes”. This planned accounting fraud. When risks associated with either end of the
very neutral definition suggests that the company declared bankruptcy, scale including being too extreme, not
organisation politics can be positive or thousands of shareholders and using politics when you need to or
negative. employees lost their investments. using politics inappropriately. The key
Andrew Fastow, the corporate CFO at to effectively managing organisation
What makes politics either positive the time, was the architect behind the politics is finding “The Sweet Spot”
or negative is a combination of two accounting fraud and he spent six years right in the middle of the scale.
things; the outcome and the means of in prison for his creativity. Since being The Sweet Spot is where the use of
politics. By outcomes, what I mean is, released from prison, Fastow has been organisation politics is appropriate
whose interest does the politics serve speaking to groups about what he did and ethical.
– the company’s or an individual’s? For and how he went astray (Irish Times).
example, if because of politics (e.g. Fastow has been quoted as saying that There are four broad strategies that
getting internal financing) a research everything he did was approved and you can use to manage organisation
scientist discovers a brand-new broke no rules. However, he contritely politics in a savvy manner.
treatment for diabetes and as a result, acknowledges that his actions broke
his employer gains a larger share of the the principles of the rules. Breaking the Live your core values:
market, that is a positive outcome. If principles of the rules is an example People who operate in “The Sweet
the same scientist gets rewarded and of means that produce a negative Spot” of organisation politics know
promoted because he secretly stole outcome. But when the means of what is important to them from a
someone’s idea, that is a negative achieving an outcome are out in the values perspective. Values fuel our
outcome. And yes, if a company is open, following the principles of the sense of purpose. When we live
manipulative or an individual behaves rules, and are accepted by others, the through our values, we feel more
with high integrity, then the outcomes outcome is generally positive. fulfilled because we are acting upon
of my previous examples would be what’s important to us. When we feel
reversed. This is where the “means” of Now that we have a definition of office more fulfilled, we have more energy to
politics enters the picture. politics and we know what makes deal with organisation politics. From
them either positive or negative, let’s a leadership perspective, when we
For a few minutes, let’s take a step in consider how to deal with them in a don’t align with our values, we are less
organisation politics, means refers to, high integrity way. authentic and run the risk of operating
what is the right thing to do versus at one of the extreme points of the
what can I get away with? Let me The first step is to think of office Organisation Politics continuum.
give you a real example of how the politics as existing on a sliding scale
16 Issue 27 | May 2019LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 16
Study and understand behavior. They are not written walked out of the meeting room when
down anywhere and they are the boss was late, no one warned me
your organisation’s not discussed. Early in my that it could be a problem. I learned the
politics: career I worked as the Director hard way how important a network is.
Regardless of its size, every of Administration for a small, Your network is the basis for alliances of
organisation has politics. Instead of insurance brokerage firm which people who can support you. They can
ignoring it, hoping it will go away, or was privately owned. The owner also warn you about the individuals in
refusing to “play the game”, a better had weekly staff meetings and your organisation who are “negative”
strategy is to study and understand they never started on time, political animals. The other dimension
how politics work in your organisation. primarily because the owner of being proactive is learning how to
Practice observing the following: was always late for the meeting. ethically lobby for your point of view. It
One day, after waiting with my is not unethical to argue your point of
• Sources of power: Power in
colleagues in the conference room view, or even for yourself, in the most
organisations comes in many
for 30 minutes, I decided to go favourable way possible, if it does
forms. There is official power
back to my office to do some work. not entail being less than truthful or
(the man or woman in the corner
I asked the owner’s secretary to withholding information. Shading the
office) and there is unofficial
call me when he arrived. About truth by leaving out details is the first
power (the individuals who may
20 minutes later I got the call that step of negative politics.
not have the position or title
the boss had arrived and I went
but people listen and act upon
their opinion). There can also
immediately to the meeting room. Be protective:
What I did not realise was that Being protective means not being
be emerging (up and coming
none of my colleagues had left the naive and acknowledging that others
stars) and declining (fading stars)
room – they all sat there, patiently, may not approach organisation politics
sources of organisation power.
I presume. When I walked into the with the same degree of self-less
What are the sources of power in
meeting, the owner was ready interest that you do. It means keeping
your organisation?
for me. I was told in no uncertain your eyes and ears open by following
• Priorities: Do you know your terms that the office operated on the first three steps described above.
organisation’s priorities? Do you his time … not anyone else’s. I had As a closing thought, keep the
know what is important to it? For just discovered an unwritten rule. following in mind: the most important
example, does your company Violating an unwritten rule can thing about managing organisational
pay attention to the details or the lead you right into a political land politics is to be prepared. Don’t turn
big picture? Is your organisation mine. So, learn your organisation’s a blind eye to politics or assume that
a customer first or a profit first unwritten rules. you have alliances when you spent no
company? The importance of
• Rewards: What actions lead to time building them. The worst things
knowing your organisation’s
promotions and which actions you can do is come into a political
priorities may seem like a “no-
or lack of action leads to career situation with “your eyes closed”, not
brainer”, but it is surprising how
derailment? You may think you be clear about your values, not know
many executives cannot identify
are doing a good job but what do the unwritten rules, and not have
their company’s top priorities.
the boss and upper management allies. Not being prepared is a sure way
According to a survey conducted
think? If you are in doubt, review to lose even before you get started.
by the London Business School,
the bullet on priorities.
two-thirds of senior managers
cannot identify their company’s
top three priorities. The survey, Be proactive:
conducted in 2015, included Being proactive is not about getting
11,000 senior executives, leaders, the other guy before he gets you; that
and managers from more than 400 would be negative politics, the type
companies (LBS Survey). Knowing we are trying to avoid. Being proactive For over 30 years, Michael has worked in the field
your company’s priorities helps means building and leveraging a of leadership and organisational development. He
leverages his advanced degrees in communications
you make better decisions about network of supporters (both inside and organisation development to design and deliver
what to pay attention to and what and outside your organisation). A results producing development experiences. Michael
good network can clue you into is also a certified gestalt therapist (Indianapolis and
to ignore. Cleveland Gestalt Institute) as well as a certified
opportunities and potential pitfalls coach (Center for Creative Leadership) and member
• Unwritten rules: Unwritten rules
by acting like an early warning system of the International Coach Federation and European
are the “understood” norms of Coaching and Mentoring Council.
if things start to go wrong. The day I
Issue 27 | May 2019 17LEADERS
DIGEST
A quick look at the words on the cover page of
Jonathan Yabut’s book caused my enthusiasm
to surge. The words were – Winner, Grit and
Great.
“To every dreamer out there, know that you
can never be too small to dream big,” was the
line that struck me as I flipped through the
book entitled From Grit to Great, forcing me to
grab a seat and settle down to read the book.
We all want to be great, but are we prepared
to practise grit? Probably not. The book
simply demonstrates how the latter leads to
the former.
Throughout the book, Yabut explains in
simple language the journey of his life which
has led to his success today.
NEVER TOO SMALL TO
DREAM BIG
Yabut speaks of his journey from humble
beginnings. Despite facing financial
constraints, his parents hoped to put him in
a private school. Yabut realised his parents’
dream at a young age by securing financial
assistance due to his excellent grades.
However, pressure continued to mount as he
needed to maintain his good results and be
ranked among the top students annually to
retain the 100% scholarship.
It was then that Yabut was diagnosed with
a cyst on his chest, which frightened him to
such an extent that he started preparing for
his worst.
Thankfully the cyst was benign. But since
GRIT:
then, carpe diem has become his philosophy
of life. He decided to stay true to himself,
conquering every dream in mind.
THE ONE KEY THE JOURNEY TO
BECOMING ASIA’S
APPRENTICE
TO GREATNESS Preparation is the key to everything and Yabut
stresses that anything that succeeds without
it, is simply called luck.
DON’T THINK YOUR DREAMS ARE OVER
BY DINESH DORAI RAJ “Rome wasn’t built overnight and so are the
rest of the challenges you will face in life,”
18 Issue 27 | May 2019LEADERS DIGEST
...from Page 18
was one of the lines in the book that years of hard work, while overcoming I had a simple answer at the back of my
jolted me to start preparing myself to challenges and obstacles along their head, “Grit to Great.”
face more challenges on the road to way.
success. Wrapping up, this book is an easy read
It was indeed an honour that Yabut for just about anyone, ranging from
Yabut explains the endless preparation dedicated a section of his book to share teenagers to corporate leaders out
that was involved in winning The my story. Having survived a horrific there.
Apprentice Asia. It all started from the road accident and now learning to
time of application and the flow of walk again, the experience itself calls It’s a book where business meets wit
truth as he explained it – preparation for sheer grit. to inspire readers to make it big and be
breeds familiarity, familiarity breeds successful. Here are two key takeaways
confidence, and confidence breeds The practice of grit has made me defy for me:
success. the odds that was presented before
me, when even the doctors deemed • success requires hard work.
Then comes the commonly heard that I would never walk again. Being • whilst there is no short cut to
phrase – work smart, not just hard. on crutches and still unrelentingly success, there is always a space for
Corporate folks and students would persevering, I still believe I will walk innovation to run faster.
not deny that they are guilty of the unaided one day.
“working hard” when the expected WHAT IS GRIT?
output totally differs. HACKING THE In May 2013, teacher-turned-
Yabut also brings up a few simple life CORPORATE WORLD, psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth
presented a Ted Talk on The key to
experiences as lessons that may speed APPRENTICE STYLE success: Grit.
up our tasks as compared to “old Yabut reveals some important hidden
school” techniques, thus allowing us truths to those who think they are In her own words, grit is:
to spend more time with family, friends ready to conquer the corporate world
and ourselves. after watching the reality show. • passion and perseverance for very
long-term goals
I remember following The Apprentice He brings up the importance of • having stamina
Asia on AXN very closely, yet I failed leadership that develops and builds • sticking with your future, day in, day
to see the bigger picture represented a credible, strong team. In reality, out, not just for the week, not just
there. this is one of the most vital keys in for the month, but for years, and
the corporate world for anyone who working really hard to make that
The reality show was a marathon, not aspires to make it big out there. future a reality
a sprint. As mentioned in the book • living life like it’s a marathon, not a
– never miss the forest for the trees – Yabut also stresses the practices and sprint.
so take a step back when needed and habits that need to be embedded in
reassess the strategy. us. These include tips for stress-free
business travel, handling work emails
FROM GRIT TO GREAT (first world problem as most of us are
Would you believe it that the winner of often overwhelmed by them), and
The Apprentice Asia was on the verge meeting deadlines.
of quitting the show? What would have
happened if he had quit? Yabut relates them to the experiences
he has had in life. They really leave an
He would have had no chance of impression as we read them because
winning. Instead of throwing in the they are very much relatable to what
towel, Yabut persisted and he practised we face daily in the corporate world.
grit. He pushed himself out of his Dinesh Dorai Raj was a Talent Partner at
comfort zone and fought through the WRAPPING UP Leaderonomics when this article was written. He
is inspired by the definition of “grit”. He has been
battle and he won. Sipping my last bit of coffee and holding on to it and practising it daily in various
flipping the final page of the book, I aspects of his life. He truly believes that everything
is possible in this world through limitless grit. He
We all know that the great leaders of asked myself a question, “Can I be like hopes to prove and influence people around the
this world did not attain overnight Yabut?” world that grit would lead to great.
success, but succeeded after many
Issue 27 | May 2019 19You can also read
