Canteen Fundas

 ‘Rinku, your basketball team pulled off a sensational win yesterday,’ said Rahul. ‘And that too without your charismatic captain Tanya.’ ‘Thanks Rahul,’ said Rinku. ‘We all gave our best. Even our weakest players gave their best yesterday.’ ‘Wow,’ said Rakesh. ‘Looks like a case of a secure leader in charge. Who was the captain yesterday?’ ‘Really?’ said Rinku. ‘But you’re right, we played better under Swati yesterday and won a match we would have lost otherwise. On the other hand, under our regular captain Tanya, we’ve been losing games we should have won easily.’ ‘Maybe Swati is a better motivator than Tanya,’ said Rahul. ‘A better strategist. Maybe more intense, involved, charismatic. Right?’ ‘Not really,’ said Rinku. ‘Tanya is very active, intense, energetic. No one can question her commitment to win. She has a tough work ethic and drives us all to be as good as her. She’s fully involved, ticks all the leadership boxes – set a common purpose, roles, goals, communication…

‘I don’t know how Saurabh became the Sports Club President,’ said Rahul. ‘He’s such a bad leader. I don’t think he can ever improve.’ ‘Really? Saurabh is a good guy otherwise right?’ asked Rahul. ‘Is it true bhaiyya that some people just cannot be good leaders?’ ‘Not really Rinku,’ said Rakesh. ‘Like anything else, leadership can be learned. But the key as always is this - a learning mindset. It may take time, but if the leader is willing to learn, the worst of leaders evolve into great leaders.’ ‘You mean that even Saurabh with his bad leadership skills, can, by learning the right principles and practices, evolve into a good leader?’ asked Rahul. ‘That would be a miracle.’ ‘That’s interesting,’ said Rinku. ‘How does this evolution happen?’ ‘Let’s take you as an example Rinku,’ said Rakesh. ‘As we know, all leaders come from within the group. Let’s say you’ve been made class monitor by your lecturer. You have no training as a leader and have been made a leader simply because

 ‘Sheetal and others in my team are not in favour of the changes I proposed,’ said Rahul angrily. ‘I know these changes are good for the team but Sheetal and company don’t seem to get it. I’m thinking I’ll force it upon them one way or another and save time.’ ‘Really? Force it on them?’ said Rinku. ‘But Rahul, they must be having their reasons for not agreeing with you right? Have you heard them out?’ ‘I did,’ said Rahul. ‘They have reasons. But they’re not seeing the benefits of my changes. Rinku, these changes worked for me in the past so I’m convinced they’re good. That’s why I’m in a dilemma–override their concerns in the interests of the team or pander to their doubts and lose this opportunity?’ ‘Bhaiyya,’ said Rinku. ‘Can we simply force our thoughts on the team like this when the team disagrees with us? Seems extreme to me.’ ‘But,’ protested Rahul. ‘What else can we do if we don’t have consensus because our team members cannot see what’s good for them?’ ‘That’s a good

‘Rinku, did you hear how Sushmitaspoke about the work their group has done in the meeting?’ said Rahul. ‘I feel she is too egoistic. Fine, they did some good work but why go on about it. Leaders should be humble, have no ego.’ ‘But I felt she was presenting her team in good light,’ said Rinku. ‘That much pride should be taken when one does some good work right?I’m sure there is a balance between ego and humility right bhaiyya?’ ‘Good question,’ said Rakesh. ‘Our ego is not really a bad thing. It can be our greatest asset or our biggest liability - if we don’t understand it. As we know, ego can spark drive and intent to achieve while a lack of ego can led to apathy and insecurity. David Marcum and Steven Smith have addressed the issue of the costs of ego in their book ‘egonomics’.They found that ego costs 6-15% of total revenue in business, over a third of failed businesses and bad executive decisions are due to ego issues and81% managers push their decisions by ego and not by quali

‘Rinku, there was this interesting situation in the college assembly today,’ said Rahul. ‘Some students had a heated altercation over a trivial issue. Even the Principal could not get the students to disperse.’ ‘Really?’ asked Rinku. ‘What happened then?’ ‘No one was listening to the Princi despite his warnings and threats,’ said Rahul. ‘Then Professor Shama   walked in and everyone went quiet. It was like magic. She smiled and asked everyone to disperse quietly and they did it. It was amazing to watch. Respect.’ ‘True,’ said Rinku. ‘Everyone respects Shama maam. Though we fear the Princi and his position of authority, the students don’t really respect him. I would love to be like Shama ma’am who has so much respect among the students and staff despite not having the power of Princi’s position.’ ‘That’s an excellent idea Rinku,’ said Rakesh. ‘A good leader, teacher, parent, coach looks to get people to work willingly and enthusiastically. That is how they get the best results.