What are your most powerful leadership techniques?
Shanku Bose (SB): My greatest tool is to show empathy by placing myself in the other person’s shoe and calling out loudly “I believe in you”. This is what I have been practicing for over 15 years in my professional life as well as personal life and got amazingly different results from the same set of people.
Aristotle once said -the hardest victory is the victory over self.
What are the self-mastery secrets that make you the world class leader that you are?
(SB): Everyday before going to bed I take out 15 minutes to recap the day gone by and ask myself what value I added today. Then I plan for the next day keeping in mind the lessons learnt in the past and how I can apply them in the future. Do this with complete focus and a clear head
What according to you is the one most important quality of a leader?
(SB): Courage. Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which drives all the others. Courage comes from conviction and empowers a human being to see challenges as an opportunity. Courage also enables a leader to motivate others and ensures they trust you in difficult times and work hard for a brighter future.Can we teach people to become better leaders ? (is it an inborn skill or can it be taught)
(SB): In my view, leadership is an inborn skill. However, every leader has some individual weakness and one can work on the weakness to make him a better leader. Also, sometimes, people do not get an opportunity to show the leadership skill and it is up to the superior leader to give that opportunity.
How important is team work in achieving success ?How does one build a strong team?
(SB): There is no success without a team and there is no leader if there are no followers. In my view,respect and trust are two strong weapons to build a strong and efficient team. It is critical to note everyone has to contribute towards the team’s success and it is more critical for the team members to see the overall success as their individual success.
The secret to getting more done in a day as compared to others. Your secret of effective time management?
(SB): Spend more time thinking and planning than executing. Set your priorities first and then slice up your time as per the priorities.
The motivation secrets of a leader-how do you inspire and sustain
motivation?
(SB): Teach people how to dream and do diligent hard work towards the fulfillment of those dreams. Create an environment to satiate intellectual hunger.
The secret to handling failure effectively?
(SB): Remember failure and learn from the mistakes but do not be a prisoner of failure
How do you prioritize work and life?
(SB): I identify who all have made a difference in my life and , give priority to them before work.
Leaders you admire?
(SB): Swami Vivekananda
Your views on the leadership skills of the next generation of leaders?
(SB): Next generation of leaders are great in using new technology and can multi-task and do many things. But, they often get hung up on flashy tools rather than being honest and clear in thought and action. I would like to give one advice and that is- identifyyour core values and live with that for good. Do not be superficial and be honest in your communication.
Best advice you can give to the future leaders
(SB): Follow your passion and never compromise on your core values.
“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein.
