The Hindu Business Line : Engage people with your `attitude enthusiasm, and excitement'

Workplace is too small a place for you to have enemies, write Harry Paul and Ross Reck in Revved! from Tata McGraw-Hill (www.tatamcgrawhill.com). The book is a business fable, about a manager who has to struggle and rekindle enthusiasm in the team; he finally finds `an incredible way to rev up your workplace and achieve amazing results.'

The key is in caring, but there is confusion, notes the preface. "While most people quickly admit that caring about others is a good thing to do, they fail to appreciate two very important aspects of caring: How huge the return is that comes back to you from caring and how quickly your personal and professional lives can change for the better once you start."

You can maximise return through an easy three-step process, assure the authors. First, win them over by getting others `excited about going the extra mile for you.' Second, blow them away, that is, `take that excitement to the next level.' And three, keep them revved, by sustaining the high level of excitement indefinitely.

Some of the quick takeaways are: Find the strength to keep your emotions in check, especially at work. Engage people with your `attitude, enthusiasm, and excitement.' Don't be nice to colleagues because you want something from them; `be positive just to be positive, and watch how your life changes for the better.' Know that the best leaders are confident enough to give credit to others when things go right — and to take the blame when things go wrong. And capitalise on moments of truth, that is, opportunities to come through `when the people around you don't expect you to.'

A productivity-booster!

With will, skill is often acquired

Gain agreement that your people want to be successful in their job. Define success in terms of numbers to be achieved. Identify the actions that will most likely facilitate the result. Provide reports to keep the team focussed on effectiveness. And, celebrate successes, both large and small.

This is the roadmap that Graham R. Little draws up in 5 Steps to Successful Business Leadership, from Jaico (www.jaicobooks.com). "Having the will to succeed is as important as having the skill, for with will, skill is often acquired," says Little.

"For people skilled and competent in intense tasks, the feelings of uncertainty typically reach a peak some time prior to the task, then, as they enter their preparation for the task, the feelings settle and they become calmer and focussed on what has to be done." An example that the author provides is that of the professional golfer who has `a set routine prior to a shot.'

Managing a business team is like coaching a team of commercial athletes, says the author. "The coach must not only see what is there — what the person is doing — but also see what is not there. He must see what the person is not doing but would improve performance if they did."

Educative.

Tailpiece

"To me, all talks about stocks are toxic!"

"Long or short?"

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D. Murali

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