Month: March 2017

With all the nationalistic rhetoric about American jobs for Americans, surprises do not cease on how deep this goes; affecting industries I thought would be insulated. Its probably not a huge deal spewing broad words of wisdom encompassing every business and then the dissection can begin.

Clearly the highly technical lower tier execution work is something the low cost centers in India and China can clearly be banked on. A good directive combined with presence of some leadership in these low cost centers will continue to prove to be the most optimal option. This in my humble opinion can continue to be executed overseas.Good examples of these are detailed designing, optioneering etc.

Now the regular data entry type, discrete work- Do Americans want to do that? You would think they would. If these jobs go to local Americans, understandably it would lead to some increase in costs, but this could be a big win for the local flavor.I would vote lets bring these back to America. Cognizant of what this entails- Bringing back the call center could be a huge visible win for appeasing the locals. The call center has become such a part of the Indian sterotype which has led to  a high degree of discontent and highlighted the indifference on part of major utility companies; a potential key factor in fostering racist tendencies.

Then you get into those low skilled mundane work that may be done by a sweatshop culture for little to nothing; highly repetitive by the book work .These are typically jobs that may still serve the consumer a lot better by staying where they are.You don’t really want your youth to take the east way out and get too comfortable with low skilled jobs that can hardly prepare you for a solid future.

Obviously one size never fits all- You can bolster job growth not just by sheer numbers but by the type of jobs that will facilitate long term development of the human resource in America.

 

Isn’t it always about people?  The human element is not the one that makes projects tick but the qualities in the humans is what makes it click. Leading, requesting, ordering, cajoling, collaborating are only some of the ways to get it moving.

How about spending may be willing to be a real leader rather than running a project like an Army General. Not saying that doesn’t work. In a perverse way I have had some really great leaders who by virtue of running their teams like a platoon delivered. However I have better memories of working for leaders who collaborated and leaned on their experts to come up with solutions that worked more effectively.

Leadership is not something you inherit by virtue of being a senior person in the organization. These are people who are not demigods nor are they untouchable legends; these are people in flesh and blood that just inspire you in several ways. Inspiration is not something you can touch, its that euphoric feeling of wanting to be part of the team, having that inherent desire to always stay ahead, cognizant and secure in the knowledge that what you analyze, what you recommend is going to be paid attention to. So you are not really part of a count but an integral part of the decision making process. That is the kind of leader that will go far. Not the entitlement, not being gray haired, not being a favorite of someone’s.

Then the teams- How about a working in a team that feels like you are in a microcosm of the United Nations! Every culture brings something to the party. Its that pot luck of ideas and concepts; something every member brings to the table. When team members get to be comfortable in a social setting, political correctness seems like a term from the Martian dictionary. We have all been part of sessions where we get told to respect other cultures; I am not even sure if I need to make any special efforts to do that. A person is a person and if they are able to gel into this polyglot team they are obviously comfortable. It is however a highly interesting concept when team members freely exchange nuances about their culture and its this process that makes the team pull their oars in the same direction. Believe it not, speaking to a non Westerner slowly and loudly still does not work. What works is empowerment and space to perform , where linguistic abilities do not matter.

Then the leader has that uncanny ability to bring out the best out of everyone, no exceptions. I have recently come off working in a team that would be classified not just as multi cultural but truly world class. So what makes me say so? The ability of that team to bring out the best out of each other, the obvious lack of king sized egos backed up by a leadership model that stands unparalleled. A leader who did not have to be the “Know all” but a leader who had the ability to be a supporter in the most adverse situations and yet had the humility to lean on their team to get what they needed to make critical decisions.

And what else? Leaders finding time to deal with their team members as humans, not subordinates. It may be a cliche, but true good leaders are a rarity and I am not even mentioning visionaries.

Why do some spurious email forwards , press clippings, TV anchors asking leading questions seem to suggest that I feel like I am living in Nazi Germany. Incredibly naive, hard working people are somehow getting caught in this web of propaganda.

Yes I am in immigrant. I came to this country and have not found a better place to live my life. I have served overseas and that actually makes me appreciate America even more. I love these accents and when you get that uncanny ability to laugh at one self, it is actually hilarious. And I know so many of FOB’s that have made it good and continue to thrive, not because of who they are but despite who they are.

And utmost hilarity, if I am stereotyped of running a 7-11 the person next is me is also streotyped of wearing cowboy boots and 50 gallon hats and so is the other person that just cannot get his “B”‘s right. Believe me it is a fun place to be in. No one is advocating racism, bigotry or discrimination against anyone and that my friends is anathema to all of us.

So do not be led by that Pied Piper who came to you from the extreme left or the extreme right. Let sanity and common sense prevail. God Bless America