Author: Mukesh Gupta

Leadership

Mistakes to AVOID in Large Scale Transformation

In today’s rapidly changing world, organisations are constantly looking for ways to transform themselves to remain competitive. Large-scale transformation can be a daunting task, but it is essential for success in the long run. In this video, I discusses four common myths and six common mistakes that people make when leading transformation. I also share advice on how to avoid these mistakes and successfully lead transformations. You can watch the full video here. Myths about Transformation Myth 1: Once and done In reality, transformation is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and attention. It is important to set up […]

Leadership

Stop Trying to be Cool

We spend a lot of energy in trying to be cool.. A cool manager, a cool dude, a cool dad or mom or boss. James McCrae has hit a nerve in me with this quote. Instead of trying to be cool (which we maybe or may not), we are better off being nerdy about the things that we love. We are better of being obsessed about the things that we find are interesting and passionate about. This shows our enthusiasm about the thing we love. This shows our true self. We turn up as authentic. And he is absolutely right […]

Leadership

How to Lead Teams to Drive Innovation, Efficiency, Growth or Transformation

Premise I watched this short video in which HBS professor Linda Hill shares her experience from engaging a Life Sciences company and how they went about building teams and leading for innovation. You can watch the full video here. I have written many times about this topic (here, here, here, here, here, here and on innovation here). As leaders, we need to adapt and change depending on what we are trying to achieve and what our objectives are. Leading for Innovation If we want to drive innovation, we need to foster a culture that enables, engages and encourages the team […]

Leadership

Three Skills We Need to Continue to Improve for Life

Premise There are three things that we need to continue to work and improve as leaders, in order to continue to be an effective leader. These are fundamental in our evolution as a leader and true irrespective of where in the leadership ladder you are at. Believe What we believe have a significant impact on how and what we think is possible. The belief systems are usually sub-conscious in nature and most leaders are not aware of their own beliefs and how they affect our thinking and actions. As leaders we need to learn how to make that which is invisible […]

Leadership

First Principles Based Leadership Requires First Order Learning

Premise I read this post by John Hunter, which was originally published in 2014 but is still very relevant. In this blog, he shares one key insight from the work of Deming – managing (or leading) can’t be taught (prescriptive) and needs to be learnt (experiential). First Order Learning Vs Second Order Learning One needs to learn to lead by leading and to manage by managing. We can learn from our own experience (first order learning) or from the experience of those who have gone before us (second order learning). When we learn from our own experience, we start to […]