WHAT A LEADER SHOULD NOT DO – 9 - Chanukya's way

[Guest guest]

WHAT A LEADER SHOULD NOT DO – 9 - Radhakrishnan Pillai

 

 

A management student once asked me, " Do businessmen think only of money all the

time? " I replied, " The answer to this is very subjective, however there are many

other things that the businessman needs to think through for just making money.

Being financially successful - which is a basic requirement - is determined by

other parameters like good will, service levels, and also commitment from your

very own people. "

 

Now, in this second-last series on what a leader should not do, we find that

there are two more factors as highlighted by Chanakya:

 

" Reasons for dissatisfaction of subjects: By not requiting what is done,

By not carrying out what is settled " (7.5.19-26)

 

In other words, a businessman also has to think about his subordinates who

become unhappy when not paid for what they have done and, secondly, when their

leader becomes complacent.

 

 

1. NOT PAYING FOR WHAT IS DONE

 

The economic cycle of a business is dependent on cash flow from one person to

other. The client pays to the service or goods provider; they in turn pay their

employees and suppliers. The suppliers will have to pay their suppliers. Even if

one link in the chain breaks, there would be disharmony. Therefore, a leader

needs to pay his dues to everyone on time. After completing the work, always pay

the people.

 

2. NOT BEING COMPLACENT

 

An entrepreneur who started a business and went through a lot of struggle

initially, finally made his business financially successful. He then went to his

mentor and asked, " Sir now my business is doing well. What should I do? " The

mentor adviced, " Go and start another business. "

 

This is where the real fun starts. The spirit of being industrious needs to be

carried forward. After having learnt all about how to start and run a business,

one should never become complacent.

 

In fact use your know-how to start other businesses and projects. Till this

point, you required a mentor. Now you go and become a mentor to other struggling

businessmen.

 

3. CONTINUING WHAT YOU HAVE STARTED

 

Starting another business does not mean that you can stop your first business.

From being a person who worked on the specific details of the first business,

you can now move on to a supervisory level. You still need to drive the sales of

the first business, but with a holistic approach. Your time will be spent

between the first and the new business you have started. Manage both with equal

commitment.

 

I was working very closely on a consultancy project with one of the India's

biggest conglomerates. As we were discussing strategies the director told me,

" For us, it is not about just running a business. We are in the business of

running businesses! "

 

That is how great businessmen think!