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Are you a self obsessed leader?

2/20/2016

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In Batman Returns, Cobblepot ("The Penguin"), addresses his tuxedo-clad troops: “My dear penguins, we stand upon a great threshold! It's alright to be scared; most of you won't be coming back." Is that the leader you are on your way to become?

The sense of being a leader sometimes bring in the "know it all" attitude. Are you also a victim of this self obsessed feeling of being the most powerful person in the group or the organization? If yes, then my dear friend this is the time to once again reflect on this degenerative psychology which you might follow resulting in some long term negative outcomes to you and your organization.

This "self obsessed" attitude could spread in like cancerous tumor and make you alienated among your team, colleagues, groups and organization. Superiority / arrogance, self absorption / self obsession could carry certain traits like; self focus in interpersonal exchanges, lack of empathy, difficulty in sustaining relationships, difficulty in accepting mistakes, flattery and favoritism towards those who admire and affirm them, claiming to be an "expert" in everything, inability to look at others perspective and thought of being better in every thing than others. "Toxic Leadership" (Goldman, Kets De vries) where the leaders behavior becomes erratic, self obsessed and self-serving, which results in filtering this toxicity throughout the organization, creating a toxic culture.


I feel the first and the foremost lesson of effective leadership which I could share here is realizing that you are not the most important or the most intelligent person in the room at all times. There is a big difference between "GO" and "Let's go". A leader's attitude is caught more by his or her follower rather than his words or actions. What attitude you carry, would be my next question to you all? Still in thought process, then let me simplify some basics to overcome this degenerative disease:
  • Set an example
  • Humility
  • Inspiration
  • Encouragement
  • Recognition
  • Focus on collective interests
  • Integrity
  • Clear focus
  • Visionary

"Don't tell people to do the things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with the results".

-George.S.Patton

The employees too want to be fully engaged and committed to what they are doing. They want to claim their part of recognition and fame. It is imperative for leaders to instill a sense of passion and confidence in the people they're leading. When people work alongside an authentic leader, they get more involved and responsible. A collective spirit of team work and loyalty can spread throughout the organization resulting in high morale and productive output.

Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.

-John Maxwell

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"YOU": the Limited Edition!

2/20/2016

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When you don't inherit an identity, you have to define it on your own.

- Marc Webb

This is definitely true, identity crisis is a big crime. As we all know, how things become much easier and achievable when there is a well defined identity. Yes, I insanely believe in branding myself, as for an individual, as for a small company owner, as for a staffer, as for a manager at a multinational, as for a honcho of a fortune 500 company, as for a restaurant owner, as for a new entrant in a company or as for even a housekeeper.


I strongly believe that God has created each one of us unique and first hand (one of its kind). Self exploration is a key to self believe and knowing the real "YOU". The best brand you can wear is your identity which is unique and authentic. Let me give you few steps to find your uniqueness to build your Identity or shall I say, self discovery:
  • List three causes that you are really passionate about?
  • What three things motivate you to strive to be at your best?
  • What three things give you the greatest sense of meaning and purpose in life?
  • What three things you can do even after an exhausting tiring day?
  • List three things which you really did and made you proud.
  • List three core values which define you and for which you really stand for.
  • List three adjectives which your colleagues would use to describe you.

Rediscover your self to believe that you are the one, your own super hero, one of its kind, different and unique. There will never be a person like you and there is nothing ordinary about you and your existence. The only reason you feel ordinary is because you have chosen to hide your uniqueness and show only ordinariness of your true "YOU" to the rest of the world. So, set yourself free and communicate your true "YOU" to the world. After self discovery TALK ABOUT IT, ARGUE ABOUT IT, EXUDE IT and promote it till the length.


Uniqueness sets you apart from the crowd. As well said by Tom Chappell "Success means never letting the competition define you. Instead you have to define yourself based on a point of view you care deeply about". Show the world the real essence of your personality. Learn to give credit to yourself on every small success you achieve. Remember: Never compare self to others. Focus on your innate qualities, on your achievements which would help you gain a perspective on your talents and abilities. Expand your knowledge, leverage your creativity, be curious, explore and judge the situations, cultivate and share your ideas to get noticed!!

“Some men see things as they are and say why,

I dream things that never were and say why not.”
- Robert Kennedy

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5 Reasons you are INVISIBLE at work

2/10/2016

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When you understand how the corporate system really works, you will know exactly what to do and more importantly what not to do.

You start to own up your job & start thriving.
You can begin to focus on what matters so you move up the corporate ladder and stop getting passed over for promotion and raise year after year. But, soon you realize doing "good work" is no more sufficient to GET NOTICED and move ahead in your professional career. Such times are critical in anyone's career as feeling of not getting recognized in spite of doing exceptional work can harm ones' career and organization equally.

Here are 5 common reasons which are most likely keeping you INVISIBLE at work in spite of doing good work. And, as long as you stay INVISIBLE, career growth is not possible.

1. Like everyone, you expect your work to speak for itself: That's the age old problem haunting a lot of professionals in their career. I hate to tell you that "Your work doesn't speak for you, it only speaks for itself i.e. work; only you have to speak for yourself." You need to not only speak for what you have done but also how much value it is bringing to the company. Stop being INVISIBLE, start getting recognized.

2. Your relationship with your boss: It works 2 ways, one it seems terrible but you have a professionally good relationship with boss and secondly you actually have a terrible relationship with boss. If you have a professional relationship with your boss but somehow its not working then look again: Are you too friendly with him? A lot of times in such scenarios you may end up surprising, embarrassing, or correcting your boss in public. Bosses do not like surprises (even the good ones), and you could ruin your trust with him. In public, don’t correct, criticize or embarrass your boss EVER! On the other hand, if you really have a terrible relationship with your boss, it requires urgent intervention beyond scope of present discussion!

3. You are yet to have a company owner mindset: If you see yourself as just an employee, or as someone working for the company, then your employer will see you that way. You do your work and expect to get paid. You follow guidelines and want to get rewarded. But if you start to think like a company owner, you become the company. That’s when your employer notices you almost immediately and puts opportunities out there for you to succeed. You should think from a strategic perspective, stop thinking too small if you want to get noticed.

4. You complain, criticize or gossip: The number one career suicide mistake is an attitude of complaining, criticizing, gossips and a sense of entitlement. If you do any of these even on occasion, you are sabotaging all your hard work. Don’t fool around with your career here. Cut this out immediately and start doing damage control today. I have personally seen, very highly deserving senior hierarchy professionals being ignored due to some 'cafeteria chat'!

5. You don't project yourself confidently: Being confident is one thing and letting people know of your confidence is a totally different ballgame altogether. It goes way beyond your work ethics. Things like dressing, posture, presentation skills, body language, communication skills, assertiveness and positive attitude are just some of the absolutely necessary factors that determine your "confident look" to your boss & management.


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Leverage your reputation as a Leader by Personal Branding

2/10/2016

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Personal Branding is essential for career growth and in the development of 'you' as a strong leader. Unfortunately, people think that the presence in social media is in itself sufficient to create a personal brand. But I think that creating a personal brand is beyond this and is much more a responsible job. Your personal brand is all about how other people perceive you, which results in your reputation. And this has a direct and measurable effect on your ability to be successful. Personal branding is no more about self promotion rather it is about trusting self and making self identity marked and respected.

Your personal brand should highlight the value you consistently deliver. Leadership is not just about the job title and job description but it goes beyond it. It is more about delivering value to the people and clients you serve, more of becoming a problem solver and creating right opportunities for the organization by creating right momentum.

Managing a personal brand as leader requires you to be a role model, a mentor and a motivator on whom others could depend on. Based on a survey, less than 15% of people have truly defined their personal brand and less than 5% are living it consistently at work – each and every day. Yes working on personal brand is extremely challenging and requires action, commitment, self awareness and credibility. Personal Branding is being authentic with better control on self which means you trust yourself. You are transparent about self and your intentions and much aware about your surroundings, people around you, your body language, way you communicate with others and the self image which you portray.

Reflect on these questions:
  • Have you defined your personal brand as a leader?
  • Are you consistently living your personal brand?
  • What others expect from your leadership?
  • How others perceive your leadership?

Create your personal brand identity as a leader by:
  • Extract your core values, strengths, weaknesses, passion.
  • Look for opportunity in everything
  • Be always ready for the unexpected
  • Leadership value proposition
  • Work with defined goals and set purpose
  • Communicate your brand
  • Create your distinction
  • Exude your brand by aligning with the right resources
  • Reinvent yourself

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    "my Áura" Image, Etiquette & Business Consultant, is a unique initiative providing consultation to Individuals, Corporate and Educational Institutes in image, etiquette, communication skills & business solutions.

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