KAUTILYA’S ADVICE FOR MODERN-DAY ROOKIES - Chanukya's way

[Guest guest]

KAUTILYA'S ADVICE FOR MODERN-DAY ROOKIES - Radhakrishnan Pillai

 

 

India today has over thousand management institutions. With the Indian economy

opening up, and foreign direct investments (FDI) flowing in, there is a lot of

demand for the students who come out of these business schools.

 

Once recruited, the students feel they have achieved their goal. However, the

real challenge is yet to start. The management student, who has now become a

management trainee, is yet to show the results for which he has been recruited.

 

How does one work in an organisation which is an all-new environment for the new

recruit?

 

Kautilya advices,

 

 

" Under the supervision of the officer, he should carry out the task assigned

with special zest " (1.18.4)

 

No management trainee should consider himself superior because of the course

that he has just completed. He might have a theoretical base; however, he has to

go a long way to understand its practical applications.

 

A guide/ mentor is required who can show him how to get things done. These can

be the seniors who have acquired knowledge and skills by gaining years of

working experience. The senior may not necessarily be as qualified as the pupil;

yet, the new recruit has approach him with humility in order to learn and

benefit.

 

Steps for on-the-job training;

 

1. UNDER A SUPERVISOR

 

The insights provided by a supervisor are invaluable. They have gone through

their jobs the hard way to master themselves in that particular stream. The

trainee should accept his senior as his new teacher. Every teacher is happy to

teach a willing and obedient student. At the end the benefit will be thousand

fold.

 

2. CARRY OUT THE TASK

 

Whatever tasks the senior assigns should be carried out. No work should be

considered small or mediocre. It is only when one does small things perfectly,

that one will be able to handle big responsibilities. Completion of any given

assignment within the given time frame should be the first objective of a

trainee.

 

 

3. SPECIAL ZEST

 

While carrying out the work, it is the attitude that matters the most. It has to

be positive -with extra zeal. The enthusiasm, with which the trainee does his

job, shows a lot about his mind set. The eagerness to learn, and the passion to

get going, will determine where he will be placed in the future, or what new

responsibilities will be given.

 

The training period is the toughest part. However, it is only a good student who

will become a good teacher. After all, only a good subordinate will ultimately

become a good boss.

 

A chartered accountant was hired by a successful businessman to manage his

finances. The senior businessman was not even a graduate. Initially, the

accountant used to rebel inside, " This person is not even as qualified as I am.

Oh! I have to work under such a person "

 

One day it suddenly stuck him. " Who pays whom? "

 

This boss has the ability to hire more qualified than himself, to work under

him. The charted accountant got determined, " Until and unless I learn all the

skills that he possesses for running a business, I will not leave this company. "

 

That should be your attitude.