Canteen Fundas

‘Bhaiyya, I want to facilitate some change in our community where we help one another and optimize resource utilisation,’ said Rahul. ‘Since we’re talking about leadership, is there some way to make some change here?’ ‘You’re right Rahul,’ said Rinku. ‘Even I feel we need more bonding in our community. Right now we’re existing as individuals or small groups instead of a close knit community. Any ideas bhaiyya?’ ‘Hmm,’ said Rakesh. ‘How about a ‘Joy of Sharing’ activity in your community to promote bonding? You could start a ‘Joy of Sharing’ club.’ ‘What’s that?’ asked Rinku. ‘How does it work?’ ‘Simple,’said Rakesh. ‘Ask everyone in your community to share any items they may not be using which may be of some use to others. Things like books, clothes, shoes, electronics, sports goods, stationery, music, toys, furniture…whatever. Anything of use.’ ‘Hmm, I do have many old books and comics that I am not reading anymore,’ said Rahul. ‘And I have some sporting stuff and music to share,’ sai...

‘I do like our Principal Mr Gupta,’ said Rinku. ‘But the one thing I don’t like is that he’s so dull and serious.’ ‘True,’ said Rahul. ‘He is efficient and all that, but everything seems like a big burden with him leading the effort. Something’s missing in his leadership style. What’s it bhaiyya?’ ‘Enthusiasm my friend,’ smiled Rakesh brightly, banging his fist on the table. ‘According to John Adair the author of ‘Confucius on Leadership’, some of the important qualities of a leader include Enthusiasm, Integrity, Being tough yet fair, Warmth and Humility. Your Principal seems to be suffering from a serious lack of enthusiasm.’ ‘What do you mean bhaiyya?’ asked Rinku. ‘He’s got a job and it must be done, that’s all. Right? Why add enthusiasm and all that to it.’ ‘Rinku,’ said Rakesh. ‘Listen carefully - the secret ingredient to an interesting life is enthusiasm. You can do the same job or live the same life with enthusiasm and interest and enjoy the process. Enthusiasm is the ingredient...

 ‘I’m planning to promote some of our team members,’ said Rinku. ‘But I’m confused about who to promote.’ ‘What are you confused about?’ asked Rakesh. ‘For example, Rithu is a good candidate in my opinion with the right intent,’ said Rinku. ‘But she says something and does the opposite. Like she says all the right words – ownership, commitment, responsibility, team first - but I see nothing of that in her actions.’ ‘Yes bhaiyya,’ said Rahul. ‘Even I get confused with such people. They say all the right things but do the opposite.’ ‘That’s a good observation,’ said Rakesh. ‘The general rule when it comes to judging people is to judge them by their actions, not their words. That’s because most of us believe we’re doing what we’re saying, while in reality we may be doing the opposite. Like a person may talk with great conviction about being punctual but may be a habitual latecomer. She may genuinely believe she has valid justifications for being late often. On the other end are people...

‘Bhaiyya,’ said Rinku. ‘Some of my team members are not fully loyal to me or the team. You keep telling us that it’s the leader’s job to develop the individuals in the team. Why should I?’ ‘Yes,’ said Rahul. ‘Why should we care?’ ‘Because your results are dependent on the individuals in your team,’ said Rakesh. ‘When individuals feel taken care of they perform well and you get better results. There’s an old saying that says – The wise leader meets the individual’s needs, just as a parent does for his children.’ ‘That’s too much,’ said Rinku. ‘On one hand they’re not doing enough and you say we have to care for them like parents.’ ‘Good leaders do that,’ said Rakesh. ‘They’re genuinely concerned about every team member and their growth. Though you may feel they do not deserve any love from us, we must persist like parents do with children who may have different ways. Like they say, evidence of trust begets trust and love is reciprocated by love.’ ‘But can’t we get work done without gett...

‘Where have you been Rinku?’ asked Rahul. ‘We’ve been waiting for you?’ ‘Two of our sports captains, Reena and Parul, have been replaced as per our rotation policy,’ said Rinku. ‘I went to the farewell party.’ ‘They were very senior weren’t they?’ said Rahul. ‘I wonder how they’ll adjust to being led by a junior. It might create ego issues do you think?’ ‘Reena has adjusted to being part of the team very well while Parul’s struggling.’ ‘I can understand what Parul might be going through,’ said Rahul. ‘I went through the same thing when I was replaced as captain of the basket ball team. I found it difficult to be led by my junior. It was an indignity.’ ‘How can we handle it bhaiyya?’ asked Rinku. ‘When someone has worked at a higher level, how can they obey others?’ ‘As Aristotle says – he who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander,’ said Rakesh. ‘Reena appears to have been a more secure and better leader than Parul - she knows how to obey, to follow.’ ‘What has obeying go...

 'Sometimes I wonder how Chandra sir became Head of Science Department,’ said Rahul sipping on his lime juice. ‘All others in the Department are much smarter than him.’ ‘But he gets results,’ said Rinku. ‘Our Science Department is one of the best. Thanks to the rest of his team perhaps. He’s lucky. In any other place, he might not have found a place in the Department itself.’ ‘Interesting,’ said Rakesh. ‘So, who according to you should be leading the Department?’ ‘Clearly Roshan sir,’ said Rahul. ‘He’s the smartest of the lot. He won many awards and people really respect him for that.’ ‘Yes bhaiyya,’ said Rinku. ‘I agree.’ ‘Hmm,’ said Rakesh. ‘Would you go with someone who knows the science behind how the bus works but does not know how to drive, or with someone who can actually drive the bus?’ ‘I guess we’ll go with the person who knows how to drive the bus,’ said Rahul. ‘But clearly the one who understands how the bus works knows more than the driver no bhaiyya?’ ‘Y...

 ‘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, communicat...