Thursday, January 12, 2012

A little problem about leadership 5:55 PM

This essay below is written by a good friend while commenting on a letter from my peers.


The little problem with leadership


"Beware, so long as you live, of judging men by their outward appearance." Jean de La Fontaine


I’ll dive straight into the substantive of your question. I don’t think that it is a case of either-or. It is a false dichotomy that people put forth on whether playing by the rules cannot be in tandem with earning the respect and popularity amongst your subordinates.

Thus, anyone who tries to tell you that it is not possible probably isn’t well versed with management theories. But that aside, I also have to stress that the demographics of the people whom you are leading makes a substantial difference as to whether you will be able to achieve what is set forth as the expected respect which you plan to earn.

Specifically in this particular case, the people whom you are leading are at best ignorant and at worst – arrogant and conceited. I believe the characterisation is warranted. It is the lack of knowledge that one does not understand what people at the top are thinking and doing. Things are far more complicated than you view them at the bottom. There is realpolitik, there are challenges and KPIs to be met and expectations to fulfil. There are balancing acts that can only be felt if you sit in a conference room and a confluence of decision points that need to be addressed. Conversely, what one sees at the bottom has nothing of this sort. It is the blasé attitude that causes one to achieve what is perhaps a very poor understanding of the grand scheme of events. Furthermore, your subordinates may be challenging the very system which is essential for a seamless process. Granted, there are times when there are faults and there may be shortcomings, but this does not mean that the overall network is flawed. A conscious choice not to take orders or play by the rules will definitely lead to mistakes and consequences. The bearer of the consequence is the leader, and for which he or she must maintain control.

You must not be placed in a situation where you are no longer in control. By that, I characterise lacking control as giving in to whims and fancy of either your peers or subordinates. That is not right. For until they hold the rank and the appointment, they are in no position whatsoever to make snide remarks on your decisions. Of course, this does not mean that you are allowed to abuse the power vested within you to do as you please, but the system makes allowances for that. As should you make allowance for their doubting too, there are appropriate channels to voice grievances and it is the responsibility of the leader to ensure that these feedback channels are kept open. Mutual respect is therefore of significance.

Having dealt with your question, I move on now to some of the points raised in the letter. I shan’t go into much detail on the many praises and commendations which you have received; for I think that it is shown clearly that your intentions are genuine. I suppose they are not questioning your sincerity as they are questioning your methods. Though we shall make the case that some of your methods have proven to be particularly effective – such as, in birthday celebrations, your exemplary conduct and speaking for someone else’s behalf.

Rash decisions and keeping cool is definitely something that all of us can work on. While we do appreciate the candour of your men realising it, I suppose it does show failing in your ability to mask your fears, unpreparedness and perhaps helplessness. For that, I suggest that you train yourself to stay calm under pressure and be able to maintain a level head throughout. For that, perhaps the military is a great place to train in this respect.

As mentioned earlier, the many decisions on choosing the best method varies with circumstances. I stand by your decision to adopt a harsher, albeit more militant, approach to dealing with disciplinary issues. There should be no problem with that. It is a matter of styles and matter of choice. And since you have made it clear, as many of your men can palpably see your ‘do the right thing’ attitude, then clearly, they should know better than to test the system.

You aren’t at the top – anyway. It wouldn’t be fair of them if they place the blame on you that you are in control of everything and yet you choose not to side with them. You side with reason. You side with justice. You side with what is right. It must be made in the clearest of ways that you will not stand for ill-discipline, poor attitude, rebellious characters or lacking standards. Openness must be the order of the day. There are individuals above you for whom you have to answer to, and there are complications that many others do not know. The point on you pulling rank is therefore, rather irrelevant.

We cannot fully explain why others hate us similarly as we are hard pressed to find out why we hate others. This goes for liking someone as well. For that, we have to humbly admit that it is more art than science, and there shows no proven theories which can explain the conundrum of human relations. I disagree strongly with the notion that spending more time with people will breed a closer relationship. It does not always work this way, and a leader need not always be on the ground. Many equate an ‘on-the-ground leader’ with the correct form of leadership. This is false. We can choose to be cold and distant for instance, and yet still be effective leaders.

However, being sensitive to others’ views is important. As I stressed on the importance of a liberal education or an open curriculum, being accepting of another’s perspective is essential. I understand that it may prove to be difficult, but we will not go far if we maintain a narrowed viewpoint. It breeds bigotry and intolerance. And that is the last thing we want in any community.

I wish to quote something I wrote for Nicholas more than a year ago.
And the final thing I wish to say is about the military. Some may belittle the military, but we who are engaged in its very foundations know that it is where people stand tall. Although I know that it has many harsh contentions, it is still the arena that sets the heart beating a little faster. If it is, on many occasions, the place of low skulduggery, I believe when we finally do see the big picture, it is also the place for the pursuit of noble causes. We in the business of defense understand that a military matters to a country, and we fight today because we fight for what we believe in. I think it has been mentioned many a times that I believe in freedom, and we fight for freedom daily no less when we remain in the armed forces. Despite you and I feeling jaded at times, let us attempt to keep the macro perspective in mind.

And I applaud you for taking in comments and criticisms. And on that final note, I will share with you Rudyard Kipling.

IF you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,But make allowance for their doubting too;If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,Or being hated, don't give way to hating,And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;If you can meet with Triumph and DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same;If you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenTwisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,And lose, and start again at your beginningsAnd never breathe a word about your loss;If you can force your heart and nerve and sinewTo serve your turn long after they are gone,And so hold on when there is nothing in youExcept the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,If all men count with you, but none too much;If you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds' worth of distance run,Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!