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Insights
One of the leading executive job search firms and job placement agencies in Thane, India
BE AN EFFECTIVE HR GENERAL In fighting their battles in the marketplace, marketers have long benefited from ancient Chinese generals' wisdom, gained from a long history of "fighting it out" in the military battlefields. Hence, what good virtues can HR professionals learn from these generals from ancient China to be effective HR generals? Plenty. As Konosuke Matsushita once remarked, "Everything in the world can be our teacher if we're willing to learn." So, allow me to share some thoughts with you. BE WISE Cao Cao, who became king of Wei kingdom in AD 216, had one great virtue: Filling key positions or promoting people based on their merits and competencies. Yet, being human, he still erred from time to time. In AD 200, Cao Cao defeated his enemy Yuan Shao at Guandu. Following Yuan Shao’s death two years later, two of his three sons – Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang – struggled for power, while Cao Cao waited for another opportunity to attack the Yuans. The opportunity came in AD 205; Cao Cao attacked the city of Nanpi. Yuan Tan was caught and killed as he tried to flee. Meanwhile, a mutiny by Yuan Xi’s troops forced Yuan Xi to flee with Yuan Shang to a remote desert region. After seizing all four regions of the Yuans, Cao Cao decided to pursue the two surviving brothers to wipe them out, against his men’s advice. His troops suffered greatly as a result of harsh climate and treacherous terrains as well as the lack of food and water. Many lives were lost. When Cao Cao returned from that expedition, he made a simple but wise decision that many modern-day business generals have tremendous difficulties in doing. In his own words: "Your prudent objections deserve to be well rewarded. Please do not hesitate to speak out again." So, fill positions in our company with competent people (Use deadwoods where they belong – fireplace). Promote people based on merits (Whims, fancies and egos are best used in Hollywood or Bollywood blockbusters). Listen to good counsel and advice (Otherwise, get a good hearing aid). Encourage people to speak out (Then, shut up and listen). Reward them proactively, and without regard to customary practices, if they’ve done a great job (We’re not running a zoo, so don’t pay peanuts). These are simple wisdoms, right? Not necessarily. Consider competency. A well-intentioned CEO promoted a manager to be the head of manufacturing, though he lacked the skills in running a manufacturing plant. The result? Losses skyrocketed, production lead time lengthened, and customers suffered tremendously. And he later "resigned". BE SINCERE Liu Bei, proclaimed emperor of Shu kingdom in AD 221, first visited the recluse Zhuge Liang to engage the latter to be his military strategist, but he failed to meet Zhuge Liang. Undaunted, Liu Bei made another visit to Zhuge Liang’s thatched cottage. It was a time of severely cold winter. Again, Liu Bei failed to see Zhuge Liang. Much to the chagrin and disapproval of his sworn brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei made another visit. But Zhuge Liang was soundly asleep then. Liu Bei patiently waited for him to wake up – hours later. Moved by Liu Bei’s sincerity and genuine aspiration to bring peace to the country, Zhuge Liang gave up his carefree life, and joined Liu Bei in his noble quest. So, be sincere to those we want to engage or currently in our “kingdom” to achieve our objective. When I left one previous company for another to be its department head, I had to pay US$1,300.00 to the former due to the short notice period of my resignation. My boss over at the new company made a decision to reimburse me. Well, nothing earth-shaking about it – except to me. Why? His decision was totally unexpected. Even more unexpected was that no such obligation existed especially when I had already joined the company. That gesture touched me so much that I’ll never forget his sincerity. When I wrote him a thank-you note, back came his reply: “The good things in life are worth the price.” As a result, I gave my wholehearted commitment to my new company. About a year later, I was promoted to take on an increased responsibility. Be sincere, and we’ll never be short of people who will help us achieve our objectives. Be it in HR, finance, manufacturing, logistics or marketing. Question is, are we? If yes, are we genuinely so? No one would like to work with a “two-headed snake”.
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