The events in Satyam Computer Services ( the IT outsourcing giant from India) have shocked all of us. Satyam in Sanskrit ironically means "truth". We all react in our own way. A lot of us react to it as if it is part of the larger problem of corporate corruption. Some call for stricter accounting rules, regulations and checks.
My belief is honesty and integrity should start in small things with each of us. How many of us can claim to have been honest all the time, even in simple things where it is easier to be honest Here is a story from a coworker friend:
"I went to an Arts and Handicrafts shop at commercial street in Bangalore to buy some souvenirs from India. When I asked for the bill, the guy tells me: If you need a bill, then you will have to pay Rs 11 more. I said, I was willing to pay the extra money. He immediately asked whether I was buying for a company. I said no it is a personal shopping. In sheer disbelief he asked me why I wanted to pay more. I said I would like to encourage taxes being paid properly. He looked at me for a few seconds before writing me the bill. This was not my first experience and I am sure most of us in India deal with these types of transactions "normally".
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Isn't leadership about authenticity and integrity? Should it not start with each one of us ? Or can we get around by enacting more rules and regulations to fix the problems?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Managing Creativity
Any reasonably successful business requires tremendous amount of creativity from all stake holders. Adapt to customer requirements, present products to consumers in appealing ways, designing innovative products, optimize algorithms, streamline business processes.. the uses of creativity is never ending.
Easy to stiffle creativity. But how can one improve one's creativity and that of one's team? I find the following four factors extremely important:
Private Space - A private undisturbed space is central to get the creative juices going. I have seen programmers, working on difficult problems take their laptops to the nearest Starbucks and work from there to prevent disruptions at work. While private offices for every employees though desirable may not be feasible. In this case at lest ample number of comon private spaces where employees can work undisturbed would help.
Encouragement - Encourage members to present their ideas or views without critical comments. Ideas at birth are fragile. It is easily killed by a few well intentioned critical words from another and might reduces creativity in the future.
Value creativity - Valuing members' creativity further encourages more creativity from all. Various rewards may be offered for members who come up with innovative solutions.
Appreciate Diversity - People are diverse, in their upbringing, education, influences, belief etc. A diverse workplace encourages creativity. We should allow (as much as possible) free expression, and show mutual respect, to allow free flow of thoughts and ideas.
Performance appraisals often place a lot on an employee who works "hard" or "getting the numbers" or "meeting targets". It is surprising how creativity is rarely a significant criteria in performance appraisals.
Easy to stiffle creativity. But how can one improve one's creativity and that of one's team? I find the following four factors extremely important:
Private Space - A private undisturbed space is central to get the creative juices going. I have seen programmers, working on difficult problems take their laptops to the nearest Starbucks and work from there to prevent disruptions at work. While private offices for every employees though desirable may not be feasible. In this case at lest ample number of comon private spaces where employees can work undisturbed would help.
Encouragement - Encourage members to present their ideas or views without critical comments. Ideas at birth are fragile. It is easily killed by a few well intentioned critical words from another and might reduces creativity in the future.
Value creativity - Valuing members' creativity further encourages more creativity from all. Various rewards may be offered for members who come up with innovative solutions.
Appreciate Diversity - People are diverse, in their upbringing, education, influences, belief etc. A diverse workplace encourages creativity. We should allow (as much as possible) free expression, and show mutual respect, to allow free flow of thoughts and ideas.
Performance appraisals often place a lot on an employee who works "hard" or "getting the numbers" or "meeting targets". It is surprising how creativity is rarely a significant criteria in performance appraisals.
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