Loud Thinking

Posts Tagged ‘My Views’

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

Ralph Waldo Emmerson (1803-1882);
Philosopher, Poet, Author, Essayist

Pursue Tough Criticism to Advance Your Career

Getting compliments and kindly advice feels nice but won’t get you far. An appetite for the brutal truth, on the other hand, can draw potential sponsors who might help further your career. A capacity to handle withering criticism and difficult news demonstrates that you can be trusted to confront rather than shirk the tough stuff—the ultimate test of a leader. If you seek out criticism from your superiors, they will find it easy to level with you, rely on you for their highest-profile assignments, and take you on as a protégé. Demonstrate your leadership abilities by asking for unvarnished feedback and welcoming tough guidance. Sponsors will point out painful shortcomings—skill gaps, communication failures, appearance blunders—which may be hard to hear, but having the unspoken articulated can help you lever yourself into contention for top slots, steering you toward success.

Adapted by HBR from Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor, by Sylvia Ann Hewlett.

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and focus on what could go right.”

— Author Unknown

Overcome Executive Isolation

In many large organizations, senior executives are surrounded by assistants, chiefs of staff, and advisors. The purpose of this entourage is to leverage the leader’s time—but, intentionally or not, too many executives receive only news and opinions that have been filtered, orchestrated, or even censored to include what the “senior circle” thinks they should hear. As an executive, breaking through this pattern isn’t easy, but trying these tips—and urging your staff to do the same—may help.
Create “listening posts” or hold meetings with managers from other parts of the company to hear unvarnished views and engage in more spontaneous dialogue.
Lead open “town meetings” where employees of all levels are encouraged to speak out.
Hold skip-level meetings or drop in on your organization’s leadership development classes to connect with rising stars you may not have met.

Adapted by HBR from “The Problem with Executive Isolation,” by Ron Ashkenas.

Teaching-By-Example is serving as a desirable model to others.

“This world is your best teacher. There is a lesson in everything. There is a lesson in each experience. Learn it and become wise. Every failure is a stepping stone to success. Every difficulty or disappointment is a trial of your faith. Every unpleasant incident or temptation is a test of your inner strength. Therefore nil desperandum. March forward hero!”

Swami Sivananda (1887-1963);
spiritual leader, author, physician

Great Vision of the PCB Chief “Misbah to remain Pakistan captain until 2015”

PCB chief must be congratulated for his great vision and also for letting the cat out of the bag, by backing MUH for his captaincy till 2015, when MUH will be in his 43rd year.

The question is why PCB has decided now, to end MUH’s tenure in the year 2015? Why not put faith in his captainship till 2017, when the first Test matches championship will be held in England, during the summer of the year 2017?

It is not easy to comprehend, why the PCB is letting down MUH and not contemplating utilising his VAST experience of monumental leadership, by allowing him the opportunity of leading Pakistani cricket team in the Test matches Championship, when our captain will be in his 45th year?

(Written on 21 November, 2013)

“Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.”

— Albert Schweitzer

Plan Ahead for a Strong First Impression

If you’re lucky, you may achieve enough recognition that your reputation always precedes you—but until then, some people won’t have a clue about what you can offer. Ensure new contacts are aware of your expertise by sending a letter of introduction before a meeting: “I’m looking forward to speaking with you about topic X. My background regarding X is as follows…” This establishes your authority before you step in the room—a strategic move, because the same information conveyed face-to-face can seem boastful. After the meeting, if you suspect your audience hasn’t fully grasped your potential, don’t push it: Recognize that they’ll need to discover your value for themselves. If the relationship is worth cultivating, keep in touch with periodic updates about your progress (“just thinking of you, since I recently spoke at the XYZ conference”).

Adapted by HBR from “Don’t Let Them Underestimate You” by Dorie Clark

“Your journey has molded you for the greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time.”

Asha Tyson (born 1970);
Writer, public speaker