The job of the most senior executive is to inspire people, not to issue commands. To foster commitment, not to enforce compliance. To instill a drive for efficiency and optimal performance in the team, regardless of the position or title, and not demand it. Working with executives and CEOs, I have noted that exceptional leaders take the blame while average ones place the blame. When something is not right, an average leader will find an excuse. Now with the #COVID-19 pandemic, most executive briefing reports start with the words “due to COVID19, we did not…” As early as March 2020,…
The villages have moved on. So have the people. have you?
Rural areas have moved on. Once places for substance and commercial farming, today, villages or rural areas have slowly metamorphosed into pre-mature urban areas. Many young boys and girls operate a bodaboda or a saloon or a chapati kiosk or just meet up to play cards at the trading centre. Going to the farm or school is no longer their thing, thanks to the Coronavirus induced lockdown. In the past, we looked to visit the village for fresh foods and free fruits. Not anymore. Now you have to travel to the village with fresh fruits. Being the centre of commerce,…
Are you ethical? Here is how to find out…
You cannot claim to be ethical if you lack values, beliefs, cultural experiences, principles, experiences both personal and professional and of course good conscience as a result of upbringing and exposure. To be a good man or woman, you must have some stock of “what good looks like” in your brain so that when you experience tough situations you have stock of leading insights or best practices to guide your next course of action. Different people will respond to situations that confront them differently based on their knowledge, exposure, desired outcome, and value system. For example, a person with…
The (un)ethical mind
As a forensic and cybersecurity researcher, I spend some of my free time on television watching documentaries like CSI Miami, Blood Relatives, Evil Killers, Murder Comes Home, Diabolical Deadly Love, and 48 Hours to mention but seven. These shows are not only interesting but teach a lot about the psychology of the killers and criminals – why do people commit crimes. Why do people live double lives? Why do seemingly good people during the day, turn into monsters at night or at their homes when they know no one is watching? Each of the show starts with the context of…
Welcome, 2021! Say no to resolutions
Your best decision in 2021 is to avoid making any resolutions. 2020 proved that annual resolutions are a waste of time. If you learn from experience, you know that the Coronavirus pandemic rendered resolutions useless. Some resolutions like traveling to new places became difficult to attain. In these dynamic TUNA – turbulent, uncertain, novel, and ambiguous – times, you need to embrace priorities. As the new year starts, what are your two or three priorities to guide your decision making? Start by brainstorming or using any such tool for idea generation. The easiest one is to ask a simple question…
The duties of a board chairman
The primary duty of the board Chairman or Chairperson (in gender equality speak) is to manage the board effectively. Individual board members are very weak before the executive team. Only a board is working as a team with one voice, can provide effective oversight and sustainability to the enterprise. To do this, Board Chairman must recognize that s/he is not a boss nor a commander BUT a facilitator. The Chairman must set a tone that enables the directors on the board to conduct effective meetings. One of the critical skills all Chairmen need is the ability to listen by giving…
