Learning the nuances of leading from the front
Published: November 30, 2009
Leadership is an important aspect that one needs to develop for going up the ladder, students of Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College learn at a training session held as part of The Hindu Education Plus Club activity. SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE gives an insight
At every given opportunity, Human Resource professionals and management experts stress on good communication skills.
According to them the mantra to success is ‘Communication skills'.
But apart from acquiring hold over English language and communication skills, leadership is another important aspect that one needs to develop for going up the ladder.
This aspect was emphasised upon by A.S. Prasad, Director of CTC Communications, at a training session held at Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College recently.
The session was part of The Hindu Education Plus Club activity.
Dealing with change
According to him, management is all about dealing with complexity, while leadership is about dealing with change. He stressed that leadership skill is essential in all phases of life; right from academic days to interviews and from group discussions to excelling in the job environment.
“Though both management and leadership are necessary, leadership has become more important due to the increasing uncertainty and turbulence in today's world,” he said.
Seven tenets
During the presentation he stressed on seven tenets of leadership:
1. Leaders are change agents operating outside the logistical world, concentrating on setting a direction, communicating this to people and aligning them behind the vision.
2. The most important quality of a leader is to be a ‘team player'.
The team players of today are the leaders of tomorrow. There is no question of a leader unless and until there is a team.
If a team wins the match a good leader always gives the credit to the team and if the team losses the match the leader always accepts the blame instead of passing it on to the team. They focus on the central objective.
3. Leader exemplifies stability.
4. They are committed to the development of others.
5. Leadership is about envisioning i.e. creating a vision, energising, gaining commitment to the vision and enabling and insuring execution.
6. They are inspired as they have clear goals and thus they are able to motivate others.
7. Leaders are into designing the future, as they have a clear value for what they do coupled with a strong commitment.
150 students attend
Over 150 students, apart from the regular 30 Eplus Club members attended the training session. organised by Mr. Prasad.
Later, the students also participated in a lively mock group discussion.