Learning from Indian Bosses

Time to rethink what we read and who me follow!

Wharton professor of management Peter Cappelli on leadership lessons from India: http://bit.ly/atsfWd http://bit.ly/d97kvg

Peter Capelli presents an interesting perspective... The interesting thing is that many of these practices we do witness happening around us all the time, but, are biases around 'what is best has to be from west' stops us from looking at these; and while I say that, it is not entirely true too, for I have known of a lot of people (read, quite a lot) including me who have been studying these behaviors of indian bosses closely. There are ills as well, which is OK, considering that they are a part of everything & anything; the 'matter which matters' is to look at the replicable behaviors and move forward! So, net net, it makes me feel proud, and it ain't so bad as it looks!

Follow both the links, and read the entire article presented in two forms... He says...

The idea that what is good for business is good for America -- a common phrase in an earlier generation -- seems a distant memory. Where do we look for business leadership?

Let's outsource it!

In an interesting sign of the times, the most impressive business leaders at the moment may be in India. What makes them impressive is a commitment to social goals that extend beyond the interests of their firms and -- here's the good part -- stunningly impressive performance.

They don't appear to be paying any price in terms of performance for being good citizens.

The Indian economy...

> largely sidestepped the financial crisis because of wise banking practices,

> her overall growth rate is second in the world,

> her major corporations are growing at rates of 20 percent to 40 percent per year,

> her companies have been on an acquisition binge, and the evidence suggests that when they acquire foreign companies, those companies perform better.

A study of Indian businesses based around interviews with the leaders of 100 of the biggest companies in India.

Indian Business Leader Priorities...

1. Chief input for business strategy;

2. Keeper of organizational culture;

3. Guide or teacher for employees;

4. Representative of owner and investor interests; and

5. Representative of other stakeholders (e.g., employees and the community).


Some of the identified key differences between Indian and Western bosses...

1. Social Purpose

2. Invest in Employees

3. Take the long view

4. Work from their strengths

5. Act as a role model