I would have used the word ‘advice’ if
this post weren’t addressed to millennial CEOs! But that’s thing you see, this
league of talent extraordinaire wouldn’t pay heed to patronizing know-it-alls.
And rightly so!
As someone who built a business around
and about the millennial mind-set, tapping in to the kind of raw, immense
potential they bring to the table, I’ve been a keen observer of the startup
space in India. It’s heartening to see the scene explode with ideas and talent showcasing
newer, unexplored ways to counter problems. This new breed of entrepreneurs is
bold, innovative and unabashedly honest about their dislike to “set in stone
rules”. These are people who've dared to dream and taken big risks early in
life. They have also been scoffed at and made their fair share of mistakes.
Undeterred, they have made it to the other side.
I have always believed in a saying, “Be
so good they can’t ignore you” and today I see the younger lot passionately
believing in the same. And every year they get younger and better- 19 is the
new 23!
At the same time, I see these young men
and women struggle to cope with the stress and pressures of funding, competition,
marketing, the list is endless. I was all of 29 when I first became CEO so I can
vouch for one thing- it isn’t easy and it sure as hell is not a job. It doesn’t
come with an off button. But that’s what is great about it!
Here are certain characteristics that I
adopted along the way- that have made a huge difference in the way I have dealt
with the constant pressures and asks of the job.
Listen to Others and Embrace Differences
I know you are passionate about your
ideas and in all probability they are pretty great ideas. But keep an open mind;
listen to other people’s thoughts and inputs. Even if they are different from yours.
Especially if they are different! It’s important to overcome the tendency to
conform and embrace differences.
Continue to Learn and Create things.
Always have a clear focus in mind and
lay the foundation on how to go about achieving your goals. What’s the skill set
required? Can you learn the basics of coding over the weekend just to be able
guide your tech team better on an upcoming project even when you are an English
major?
Build Your EQ
As you grow, you are expected to have
solutions to the more complex challenges of the world. And these are usually to
do with human resource, building a team that resonates the same spirit as your
organization. Yes, IQ is important but empathy and emotional intelligence are
needed to unleash that wit and IQ.
Believe in those who believe in you
It’s not always easy to believe in
yourself, but if you are as lucky as I have been- there will be people who
follow you and trust your judgement. Honor them. In doing so, you embrace the
idea of letting go of self as the end of the story and actually prepare the
road for others to succeed.
Digital Detox – the need of the hour!
We are all there constantly checking
emails, on social- sharing, interacting and engaging on different platforms for
different purposes. And although I am firm believer that any leadership should
be present on social, especially Twitter and LinkedIn- I abstain from any
digital interactions before 8am- It’s your time to have a dialogue with
yourself, the world isn’t going anywhere.
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