The Hindu Business Line : ‘Connect with the lower rungs’

In the early 80s, when one passed out from any of the Army schools, one expected to become a young Officer. But, to become an Officer, you had to be trained to be a soldier by a Subedar or a Hawaldar.

In the mid-nineties, successful individuals in business were referred to as “young executives.” However, the best organisations, such as Hindustan Lever, Asian Paints and Blow Plast, made their young executives sweat it out for a year or t wo in the field or the shop floor before they could become executives. Today, a young individual doing his MBA or aspiring to enter the world of business is groomed or destined to be a young Manager.

I have no problem with the word manager, but my issue is with the way managers are made in business schools or in organisations. To be a good manager or a great leader, you should have experienced being managed or lead at some level. This would give you an idea of the expectations of your subordinates or team members.

My first recommendation is ‘Start at the bottom’. Start from where you experience various types of leaders above you. When you start at the bottom, you can empathise with the frontline or the shop floor worker. It gives you a clear perspective of the hard work they put in, their conditions of work, the compensation they get, issues they are faced with on a daily basis and the passion they have in attending to a customer, selling to a retailer or moulding the product.

Starting at the bottom does not mean slow growth. In fact, I have come across many cases where those who have worked at the front-end or who have started at the bottom of the ladder have quickly risen to great heights.

My second recommendation is ‘Stay connected to the bottom of the pyramid on a regular basis.’ Even though you may have reached the top and become the MD of the company, spend time on the shop floor. Develop a mechanism to have a ear to the ground; you will always be successful as long as you are on top of a pyramid that has a strong base.

- B. S. Nagesh, Customer Care Associate & MD, Shoppers’ Stop Ltd.

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