What are your most powerful leadership techniques?
Manoj Bisht (MB): I have worked my way up the corporate ladder so I understand best the impact of top management’s decisions on the people down the ranks. Hence whenever I give directions I always think of its impact on the junior most in the organization and plan accordingly. When you learn to think from their point of view you seldom make mistakes. Being able to empathize is very important.
Secondly I always remember to work as an employee and not as a boss. I am the first to reach office every day. This has ensured that I never had to bother about punctuality in my organization as every body is there on time. So leading by example –is another important quality of a leader.
What according to you is the one most important quality of a leader ?
(MB): Leader does not mean that he is the boss. A leader is a leader when he gets acceptance from people. This is possible only when you are a genuinely good thinker, are positive, and keep your cool under pressure. Then you will be able to deliver results and will be looked up to by the others.
Can we teach people to become better leaders? (is it an inborn skill or can it be taught)
(MB): Leadership is a quality that is inborn. Yes every person has some quality but he needs to figure out for himself his best qualities and work towards perfecting and improving them. We as leaders should use those qualities of his to assign him work so that he can take the organization further and in the process develop himself also.
How important is team work in achieving success ?The secret to building a strong and efficient team?
(MB): Teamwork is most important to achieve success. Any goal is achievable with positive teamwork. I have deep trust in my team and I keep telling them if the others can we can too. I keep in close touch with my team members and know their strengths and weaknesses and utilize them accordingly. But the most important factor in achieving success is having strict time-bound targets and achieving them. This gives the team the maximum satisfaction and in the long run goes on to increase productivity tremendously.
What are the most important day to day habits that help you get the maximum out of the day?.
(MB): I always have time bound targets. I like to start early andfinish early but always in a light and cool mood. I never stress.
I also believe in quality of work and not quantity hence I don’t count the number of hours a person works. To make my team productive I also work out a good incentive scheme for when they earn their incentives it gives them a sense of satisfaction and motivates them. Incentives need not always be cash but things like a family holiday, gadgets as gifts all work towards motivating people to work hard and be more productive.
The motivation secrets of a leader-how do you inspire and sustain motivation?
(MB): I always like to be a part of the team and like to face the challenges along with them. Also I always look at things from their point of view as it helps me understand them better. Every person has a secret ambition and I try and find that out. This helps me to motivate them and help them achieve great results.
The secret to handling failure effectively?
(MB): Failure is a learning experience for me. I never lose my cool when faced with failure which gives me the power to make the right decisionsand helps me figure out the reasons for failing. This has helped me come out faster from such situations.I always encourage my team to come and discuss when things go wrong and together we decide what needs to be done next.
How do you prioritize work and life?
(MB): For me life comes first. I always keep telling my team you are working here for your family so give most of your time to them. If your family is not happy with you then there is no use of your work and if you are upset about things at home then you will not be able to work properly in the office. I always avoid working late in the office and if any one in my organization wants to work overtime he or she needs to take proper permission for the same for their senior. I firmly believe that life is most important for work and work is important for life , so a proper balance is required . Often I encourage to team members take leavesand spend some quality time with their family.
Leaders you admire?
(MB): Our PM ShriNarendraModi , our ex- President Abdul Kalam , Ratan Tata , and Aziz Premji .
Your views on the leadership skills of the next generation of leaders?
(MB): Rome was not built in one day. It takes time and patience. You cannot become a millionaire overnight, but if you think positive, dream big, work hard then you will definitely achieve success.
Best advice you can give to the future leaders?
(MB): Trust your team members, understand their strengths and weaknesses and assign work to them accordingly. Before deciding anything put yourself in their place and think of the possibilities before finalizing a plan of action
