Stay grounded

WHAT THEY DON`T TEACH YOU AT B-SCHOOL

OBSERVING THE INITIAL success and growth of quite a few B-school graduates, I can say that there is an “earthy grain pattern” at work. This forms the bedrock of the success trajectory that professionals often take early in their career. Let’s understand what I mean.

The ability to perceive the requirements at work and adapting oneself accordingly, is one of the key attributes a newcomer needs to have. Thus, keeping one’s behaviour grounded in reality provides the grain of earthiness to the individual, demonstrating the “earthy grain pattern”! What does the real world demand of newcomers and how should they respond? The following are a few guidelines that could prove helpful:

Adaptability: An organisation often challenges the newcomer to understand its culture (or the way things are done) and adapt to it. For this, the newcomer needs to be observant and perceive things with an open mind. He needs to gradually understand how things get done, the communication process, the principal message in every transaction he’s a part of, and so on.

Social acceptance: While observing people and their behaviour, it is important not to make critical statements openly. Before challenging a system or culture, it is important to take other employees in confidence.

Internal customer/ stakeholder: The newcomer needs to take cognisance of the internal stakeholders (other than his own bosses). More often than not, the newcomer relates only to his immediate bosses and fails to notice the larger constituencies around. He needs to build his network by proactively reaching out to the internal stakeholders at large. In doing so, he stands to benefit tremendously in garnering acknowledgement and recognition from this wide circle of people.

Differentiation: An ‘also ran’ or ‘me too’ attitude ends up getting counted as one amongst many. A newcomer should ask himself if he can initiate a new practice in the company, or offer to take an additional responsibility apart from his direct role.

Visibility: One needs to not only work diligently on one’s job but must be present at the right place at the right time. For example, at a meeting addressed by the CEO soon after the newscomer’s joining, the latter needs to be in the line of sight of not only the CEO but other senior executives as well, since this would be a great opportunity for interaction. The mantra is “Be there and get there” and “speak up and get counted.”

P Senthil Kumar graduated from Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur