Assuming the top job when you’ve been unexpectedly promoted can be a challenge for most leaders. Here are a few tips to bear in mind.
E-commerce company Flipkart saw the exit of both of its founders in a period of six months, propelling CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy to become the most powerful executive in the company. In recent times, Krishnamurthy isn’t the only one who has had to — quickly and without warning — assume the driver’s seat.
Post Binny Bansal’s exit, Kalyan Krishnamurthy will be leading Flipkart. In 2013, he joined the company as sales chief and finance head.
But picking up the reins when you’ve unexpectedly been left in charge isn’t easy. With all eyes on you, how do you sail through an uncertain chapter or fix a situation you’ve inherited? Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:
Deep-dive Those first few months will be critical in deciding how your position is viewed. The best way to survive the changing of guard is to keep yourself armed with knowledge. Take a deep-dive into your new position. What are the challenges you’re facing? Are there any immediate problems that need fixing? Is there a reliable team in place to help you? Asking these critical questions will help you make the decisions you need to make faster and more efficiently. Don’t forget to take a little time out to meditate and contemplate your new position. An overwhelmed CEO is a careless CEO.
Kangana Ranaut has said, “If you work with big stars, then they become the lead actors. It’s not that I don’t want to do films with big stars, but I would rather do the films where I get the title roles.”
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Trust your team No one expects an incoming leader to know everything, even if you have been with the organisation for a long time and are familiar with their processes and culture. Every new position comes with its own set of challenges and taking the helm often exposes a new leader to a range of pitfalls. With all eyes on you, don’t be afraid to acknowledge what you don’t know and to lean on those who do, at least for the first six months. Accept that you can’t know everything and seek out the advice of wise and trusted colleagues.
Virat Kohli believes in the power of team play. “No cricket team in the world depends on one or two players. The team always plays to win,” he says. Clean house, but carefully Depending on the situation you step into, you may need to clean house and bring in a team you trust to execute your vision. Look for key players who support your management style and any rising stars who will flourish in the environment you want to establish. A common mistake most leaders make when executing changes they’d like to see, is that they unintentionally disparage their predecessor. Remember that the prior administration may have lost their way, but they could have been working to avoid a different disaster that you know nothing about. Instead of criticising their actions, put yourself in their shoes, try to understand why their actions made sense to them and take that into account when you’re changing things.
Proactivity, Setting New Goals, Prioritisation: Stephen Covey's 7 Rules For Success
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An American educator, author, businessman and keynote speaker, Stephen Covey left behind a legacy of teachings about time management, leadership, effectiveness and success in his books.
Covey, who passed away in July 2012, was author of the popular book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’. However, this was not the only book written by the legend. He also wrote ‘First Things First’, ‘Principle-Centered Leadership’, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families’, and ‘The Leader In Me’ which were a compilation of management principles.
Here are some powerful business quotes by him that have influenced B-school grads and leaders alike.
An American educator, author, businessman and keynote speaker, Stephen Covey left behind a legacy of teachings about time management, leadership, effectiveness and success in his books.Covey, who pas..
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While most of us believe in setting goals, the businessman and author had a different opinion. Goals, Covey felt, should only be formed if they are backed by the desire of achievement.
While most of us believe in setting goals, the businessman and author had a different opinion. Goals, Covey felt, should only be formed if they are backed by the desire of achievement.
In his book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, Covey recommended people to ‘Be proactive’. He believed it to be one of the most important pillars of overall efficiency.
In his book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, Covey recommended people to ‘Be proactive’. He believed it to be one of the most important pillars of overall efficiency.
Covey recommended business and managers to treat employees well.
Employee treatment, according to the author, has a great impact on how consumers are dealt with. Improper treatment vented out to consumers may backfire in strange ways.
Covey recommended business and managers to treat employees well.Employee treatment, according to the author, has a great impact on how consumers are dealt with. Improper treatment vented out to consu..
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Success cannot be achieved if a leader does not opt for the right path. One needs to know where the team is headed. Knowledge of the right path is the true essence of good leadership, Covey believed.
Success cannot be achieved if a leader does not opt for the right path. One needs to know where the team is headed. Knowledge of the right path is the true essence of good leadership, Covey believed.
In a workplace, the key to efficient working and management is learning how to prioritise.
Covey recommended people to schedule their priorities in the first place itself, instead of prioritising what is on the schedule.
In a workplace, the key to efficient working and management is learning how to prioritise.Covey recommended people to schedule their priorities in the first place itself, instead of prioritising what..
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Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is absurd. While this was stated by Einstein years ago, Covey backed the same fact in the arena of business as well.
Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is absurd. While this was stated by Einstein years ago, Covey backed the same fact in the arena of business as well.
Management and leadership are two different traits altogether. While the two go hand in hand, there is a thin line which differentiates them.
Through his words of wisdom, Covey established the true difference between the two.
Management and leadership are two different traits altogether. While the two go hand in hand, there is a thin line which differentiates them. Through his words of wisdom, Covey established the true d..
Target early wins Remember, you can’t fix everything during the transition. There are bound to be teething problems with your new position, especially if you’re trying to bring in a new culture. Right at the outset, settle on a few key priorities to knock off first. Once you have a few wins under your belt, people are more likely to accept your vision. But be wary of reckless re-engineering. Take the time to understand where the company should be headed before making changes that could undermine confidence and your longterm strategy. The key to getting those initial months right is to be honest with your team and to be willing to course-correct as many times as needed.
