HOW TO BE BOSS: A FOOLPROOF GAME PLAN

HOW TO BE BOSS: A FOOLPROOF GAME PLAN

THINK FIVE-YEAR PLANS ARE ONLY FOR THE INDIAN ECONOMY?

THEN,THINK AGAIN.WE PRESENT A FEW FIVE-YEAR PLANS TAILORED TO YOUR PERSONALITY AND GUARANTEED (CONDITIONS APPLY) TO MAKE YOU BOSS

The one thought that runs through every bullied, run-down and overworked subordinate's mind is ­ `I wish I were the boss'.But no one became boss overnight ­ not even your own. And you'll need a concrete game plan if you want to be there in the next five years at least. So check below to see, which personality fits you best, as we allow the experts to provide you a cheat sheet on what you should do to be the one in the coveted seat!

THE QUIET ONE

Reticent and easily cowed down, if you're the quiet one, you might feel that the chances of becoming boss are very distant indeed.You have trouble speaking up and letting your bril liance shine through. And you're also bad at networking and impressing the folks who matter. How could you possibly be the boss? Ambi Parameswaran, member of management board of FCB Ulka Advertising Group tells you how:

YEAR ONE:

Get up and stretch every 60 minutes ­ it does good to your back and also helps you to look beyond your cubicle. Start looking around you and see what everyone is doing; you can learn a lot by just observing.> YEAR TWO: Start walking. Get up and walk around at least a couple of times every day; by walking around you will be noticed and will not be the wallflower stuck to the corner cubicle; but don't just keep walking around all day; you may well be told to walk home!

> YEAR THREE:

The next step is to seek opportunities to work beyond the brief. Put up your hand and volunteer.Don't shy away from offering to help. Stay back late if need be, get seen as the person who is willing to help.>

YEAR FOUR:

To become a boss, you need to be seen as someone who can lead a team. So in year four, offer to work on projects along with a few co-workers. By being the most active member of the group, get their vote to be the volunteer leader.> YEAR FIVE: Enter year five with a network of supporters of peers who love you, who respect you. Let the word get around that a lot of your fellow workers learn from you every day.You are a natural leader. Soon, you will be the boss. 

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THE INDEPENDENT ONE

Organisations are collectives and if you prefer working on your own, you might not be seen as the ideal candidate for the boss' position. If you dislike in terference and believe that your way is the best way, you're deserving of the title of `the independent one'. So how do you learn to make room for to make room for other people and relinquish some of your control? Rajita Singh, head HR, Broadridge Financial Solutions tells you how: > YEAR ONE

(ground zero): For this time period, the person should focus on understanding oneself, one's internal attitudes, external behaviours and fear.

YEARS TWO AND THREE

(level of interpersonal control): For this time period, the person should focus on reducing the egocentric and insistent attitude, polishing the edges ­ not be so blunt and asserting their centrality and importance.>

YEARS FOUR AND FIVE

(proving to be the rock): For this time period, the person should focus on intense preparing, risk-taking and straight talking, seeking advantage by being pragmatic and acquiring resources needed by using the competitive edge. 

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THE TEAM PLAYER

ow can you increase your visibility H and stand out from the crowd?
Alok Kumar, MD, Sears India tells you how: > YEAR ONE:

You must learn how to manage a small team.It would be a good idea to join some training classes on building communication.

> YEAR TWO:

The next year is about ensuring that your strengths are played upon more and more. Meanwhile, you should start focusing on a few more attributes like knowing how to praise good contribution of your team member.

> YEAR THREE:

Gain knowledge about your ecosystem and be abreast with what is happening around the world in the domain you deal in. Start developing the habit of learning new n things relevant to your own job and beyond.

> YEAR FOUR:

Learning to sell and market your achievements to your own boss needs art. Participating in activities beyond your own domain and looking for opportunities where you can showcase the achievements always helps speedy growth.

> YEAR FIVE:

This is the year of consolidation.While you continue with all your good habits and play on your strengths, it becomes essential for you to hook on to a mentor who can take you to the position of a boss. 

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THE STEADY PERFORMER

You're the one everyone loves ­ but no one wants to promote you because they like you where you are. So how do you make sure you progress to the next level?
Nitin Pande, senior VP, HR advisory & employee services lead, HCL Technolo gies tells you how:

> YEARS ONE AND TWO:

Take the time to truly know the people you work with, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and chalk out a rough plan as to how everyone can contribute their expertise. Be prompt with feed prompt with feedback and conduct open discussions.This will feed into better outcomes and also create a flow of trust and transparency.

> YEAR THREE:

Another practice that could facilitate this transition of an employee into a leader is con sciously seeking im portant lessons from the experiences and regular advice of leaders that have been responsible for acting as stewards and have steered the team into delivering the output.

> YEARS FOUR AND FIVE:

It is necessary for someone assuming the mantle of a leader to possess the knowledge, flexibility, capability and zeal that makes another team member look up to them and follow their train of thought. It is now time to shed all inhibitions and work on effectively taking the lead to drive a whole team into the direction of the favourable organisation objective. 

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THE LOUD MOUTH

You're the one who loves to talk a bit too much.You get into trouble because you're not sure when to keep your lips sealed and people get the impression that you're over-confident.How do you earn their trust and convince them to make you the boss? Swaminathan Subramanian, EVP human capital, Fullerton India tells you how:

> YEAR ONE:

You may be entertaining and catch attention to begin with but you will soon find that people will soon find that people will be tired of your verbosity.Remember that God gave you two ears and one mouth. So, learn to listen and absorb more.

> YEAR TWO:

Learn to appreciate that others may have a valid point of view and that interrupting them or drowning them out would alienate you. Ac cept that you simply don't know it all. Count to ten the next time you want to interrupt some one and dismiss their views outright.

> YEAR THREE:

Having `room pres ence' is your innate strength.Together with controlled verbosity and astute listen ing skills, you begin to make im pact in group meetings, presen tations or business calls.

> YEAR FOUR:

Now rapidly accumulate trust-miles! Earning trust is harder than speaking or listening. It is the journey you undertake from Mr Loudmouth to Mr Dependable.Bosses love the dependable ones.Colleagues confide and seek help.Subordinates simply love to follow you. Followership and seniors' endorsements bring the onset of leadership.

> YEAR FIVE:

You have travelled the journey to be in the reckoning by now. Now, seal the deal.The magic word is `results'. Relentlessly pursue goals and smash them.Your organisation had better make you the boss. Or someone else will!

WHAT STAGE ARE YOU AT?

Of course,the five year plan's efficacy depends on what stage of your career you are in.You may want to refer to this master guide from Shilpa Vaid,senior VP and head,HR,Bharti AXA General Insurance:

Stage 1: The apprentice (you have a long way to go)

This marks the start of one's career.During this period,people work with close supervision and direction from a supervisor or a senior in the field.Their work is usually a part of a larger assignment and is very detailed and routine.Individuals in this stage are expected to accept this high level of supervision and showcase creativity and initiative in a restricted area. Stage 2: The independent contributor (you’re getting there)

The independent contributor (you're getting This is the stage where individuals are in a position to take on their own projects, work independently and produce results with relatively lesser direction and supervision.Here,persons are required to be team players,managing to achieve targets without much guidance.

Stage 3: The leader (you're almost there)

This is the stage where individuals have persons reporting to them.The number could range from one to many.Individuals are required to get things done and achieve results through others.This stage is characterised by delegating work,managing others'tasks and coaching subordinates to enhance performance.

Stage 4: The new leader (you made it!)

This is the stage of high-level leadership that has an impact on the entire organisation.In this stage,individuals have great influence on organisational decisions.They are required to represent the company in critical internal and external interactions.Finally,they are expected to nurture upcoming leaders.