A Capsule For Future Leaders

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Leadership within organisations is largely perceived to be within the purview of senior management. Leaders are essentially people who can think beyond their present circumstances, override uncertainty and translate challenges into opportunities. However, in the present scenario, things have changed and in order to stay ahead of competition or even retain and grow its existing customer base, a firm needs to command certain elements that differentiate it from the other players in the market. And these differentiating elements emanate through innovation — a mandate that is interestingly not restricted to any or a particular management level.<br><br>Today it is not just enough for leaders (in every walk of life) to be effective strategists and decision makers. Apart from these trademark traits they also need to be good innovators - a characteristic that stands them in good stead as far as entrepreneurship is concerned. It is important to understand that one can pursue one's entrepreneurial abilities even while pursuing a career within an organisation - by creating processes, services and products that make a difference and enrich the value chain. In other words, entrepreneurship need not be restricted to those people who embark on enterprises funded by venture capitalists.<br><br>Nurturing leadership qualities among the youth is an overriding concern for an emerging knowledge economy like India; particularly in view of the fact that more than half of the country's billion plus population is below the age of 25. If India has to truly achieve the status of a knowledge economy, then every working professional should be a leader and entrepreneur in his/her own right. &nbsp;The corporate fraternity, given its constant engagement with the principles and practices of leadership and management has a turnkey role to play in terms of achieving this mandate. Innovative ideas can spring from every quarter of the organisation. Today's corporate environment constantly contending with the dynamics of change (ushered by the cross currents of the global business landscape) and hence is in need of people who can go beyond stereotypical work profiles and carve their own career path. In other words it is in need of 'doers' or leaders as opposed to mere executors. &nbsp;Hence it will not be an exaggeration to say that today the traits of leadership are indispensable to the corporate world and are required of professionals at every stage of their career.<br><br>Corporate world is also fast realising the fact that while many young minds are brimming with ideas they might not necessarily have the acumen to translate the same into workable propositions. One clear way of countering this inherent challenge is to invest in leadership training. It is of utmost importance that young employees are oriented with the macro dynamics of organisational functions so that they can think beyond stereotypical work roles. Such an orientation shall automatically translate into increased confidence levels and a heightened sense of professional responsibility and ownership that can in turn help in transforming them from being mere executors to 'doers/leaders'.<br><br>It is not an exaggeration to say that today the traits of leadership are indispensable to every professional sector and are required of professionals at every stage of their career. When young employees demonstrate qualities of leadership it translates to a beneficial equation for their organisations. For instance, among other things a young leadership cadre can help in cementing collaboration among different functions because today's youngsters are essentially collaborative by nature. Also if invested with leadership young employees can usher true democracy and be instrumental in terms of breaking rigid and obsolete power structures.<br><br>Ironically, while today there is a broad consensus that organisations have a sacrosanct mandate of nurturing young leaders there hasn't been much deliberation on specific approaches that need to be adopted in this direction. A right approach is one that takes into consideration the specific behavioural nuances and aspirations that are characteristic of the young. For instance today's youngsters are adept at multi-tasking and are less prone to compartmentalise their work and personal lives. They are also relatively better networked and more transparent and vocal about their views as compared to the previous generations. Hence instituting platforms whereby young employees can routinely exchange their ideas and opinions (among peers and seniors) on various organisational and industry topics/issues is one possible way of nurturing leadership. Management and training support can be extended to these institutions/platforms. Organising focused workshops, seminars and lectures in educational institutions are yet some other ways in which leadership among the youth in society could be fostered.<br><br>The author is &nbsp;Corporate Vice President &amp; Global Head - HR, HCL Technologies</p>