ashokbhatia

HIRING AND FIRING

Make the hiring process as comprehensive as you possibly can. A person hired wrongly could prove to be the proverbial millstone around your neck.

Firing is unpleasant but necessary at times, especially when a surgical intervention is necessary. A good manager would not shy away from removing the deadwood from his team, thereby motivating the good people in his team even better.

However, if you keep firing at regular intervals, some introspection might help. Ask yourself if you hired a wrong guy in the first place, or put someone in the wrong slot, or, worse still, if your expectations from the guy were out of sync with his innate capabilities.

HIS MASTER’S VOICE

It makes sense to follow the golden rule, ‘the boss is always right’ even when he is absolutely wrong and is a perfect fool. However, sycophancy has its long-term limitations. Once in a while, if you do not agree with the boss, find the courage and the right time to register your disagreement. This way, you end up becoming a more effective and a healthier manager.

Beware of juniors who are “yes men”. They could be pretty dangerous to your career progression in the long run.

HR 2.0

Managements and governing bodies world over are putting the social media to good use, announcing policies and eliciting feedback from diverse stakeholders.

HR honchos now have a twin challenge facing them – bringing in policies which are transparent, flexible and agile, and also ensuring compliance with appropriate guidelines on usage of social networking sites by employees during work hours.

Smart executives ensure that no traces of corporate resentments – if any they harbor – are left in behind in the virtual world!

Always keep intangibles in mind when rewarding people publically. Honoring a special achiever? Invite his/her spouse over to the occasion and see the difference it makes.