Write a Corporate Purpose Statement That Inspires…

A well-crafted corporate purpose statement is impactful on two fronts: It articulates your organization’s mission and aspirations to external stakeholders and sends a signal to your employees about what the company stands for. As a leader, how can you write a corporate purpose statement that’s actually believable, authentic, and inspiring (without vague, grandiose platitudes)?

First, tie your organization to a broader societal context. Explicitly reference the societal or environmental problems the organization seeks to address or alleviate—and how your products or services advance the common good in that specific context.

Remember to be specific and realistic. Lofty goals like “improving the world” may be laudable, but people will ask: How, exactly? Be detailed about the impact you hope to have, and who or what will benefit as a result.

It’s also essential that your purpose statement be authentic; your stakeholders—both internal and external—will be quick to notice a mismatch between your stated purpose and the realities of your organization’s impact, leading to lower employee motivation and customer trust.

Finally, be clear, concise, and engaging. A purpose statement is one of the most important pieces of writing your organization will publish. Craft it with intention and care.

Speak Up, Strategically…

Raising ideas or concerns with your manager is a great way to boost your profile and reputation—but only if your timing is right. How can you assess whether it’s the right time to speak up or if you should keep your thoughts to yourself for now? To ensure what you have to say will be valued, ask yourself three questions first.

  • Is it relevant? If the idea or issue you want to raise isn’t related to your team’s current goals or agenda, put it on hold for now. You’ll have better luck getting your idea across once your team’s current priorities are complete.
  • Is my boss in the headspace to be receptive? If they already have a lot on their plate, that’s a good sign that they may not respond well to new information.
  • Am I ready to speak up? Before you give voice to your thoughts, be sure you’ve done your homework. Gather data to support your point, come up with a game plan for how you’re going to frame and present it, and prepare answers to any predictable questions that might come up.

Understand Your Approach to Collaboration…

Creativity isn’t a characteristic that you either have or don’t—we all possess it, and each of us approaches creative collaboration in a certain way. Understanding your own approach can give you the freedom to be yourself, play to your strengths, acknowledge your development areas, and partner with creative opposites who will complement your thinking style, greatly improving your work. Here’s how to take stock of your creative type. 

The next time you’re in a brainstorm or a team meeting, pay attention to when and how you contribute. Are you often one of the first people to speak, pitching novel ideas and generating starting points in conversation? If so, consider yourself an inventor. If, on the other hand, you tend to shape, refine, and build on other people’s ideas, then you’re more of an editor. These labels are imperfect, and they shouldn’t feel restrictive. But they can help you develop more self-awareness and position yourself—and your team—for more successful collaboration.

Allow the Other Person to Vent During a Difficult Conversation…

During a tense discussion with a colleague, it can be hard to remember that you’re not the only one who’s upset. When your counterpart expresses anger or frustration, don’t stop them. Let them vent as much as possible, and remain calm while it’s happening. Don’t interrupt the venting or interject your own commentary. While you’re doing this, you can either be completely quiet or indicate that you’re listening by using phrases such as “I get that” or “I understand.”

Avoid saying anything that assigns feeling or blame, such as “Calm down” or “What you need to understand is…” It’s important to give your counterpart this space, but that’s not to say it’s easy. If you can tolerate the venting, without judging, you’ll soon be able to guide the conversation to a more productive place.

What to Do When Your Boss Keeps Changing…

If you work at an organization where constant reshufflings are the norm, you may find yourself with a new boss every few months. Here are some coping strategies.

  • Introduce yourself. Each time a new manager is appointed, you need to schedule a one-on-one meeting with them and bring a copy of your résumé. Talk about your working style, your strengths, and your goals.
  • Be accommodating. Ask your boss how they like to communicate, how often they want status updates, and how much detail they want in them. Then adapt your style.
  • Focusing on learning. Try to look at the prospect of a new boss as an opportunity to learn. Ask yourself: What can this person teach me?
  • Check your attitude. A new boss to get accustomed to is a challenge, but make sure you’re not wearing your annoyance on your sleeve. Channel your energy into making positive contributions to your organization.

Leadership Lessons Today’s Leaders Can Learn from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s life was a testament to remarkable leadership qualities that transcend time. His legacy holds a treasury of lessons that modern leaders can imbibe to navigate today’s complex and dynamic world. Let’s explore some invaluable leadership insights drawn from the life and principles of this visionary leader.

Be Humble and Approachable

Dr. Kalam, despite his monumental achievements, epitomized humility. Approachability and openness to others’ ideas were at the core of his leadership. Today’s leaders should emulate this quality, fostering an environment where team members feel heard and valued.

Never Stop Learning
A lifelong learner, Dr. Kalam stressed the significance of continuous education and self-improvement. In a rapidly evolving world, leaders must embrace learning, encouraging their teams to explore new horizons and ideas.

Set Clear Goals and Work Diligently
Dr. Kalam’s unwavering dedication to his vision for India illustrates the importance of setting clear goals and dedicating oneself to their achievement. Effective leaders communicate objectives clearly, inspiring teams to work diligently toward shared aspirations.

Be a Visionary
A visionary leader, Dr. Kalam inspired the nation with his belief in India’s potential in science and technology. Leaders should cultivate a vision for the future, inspiring others to believe in and contribute to that vision.

Lead by Example
Dr. Kalam’s tireless efforts and commitment set a benchmark for leading by example. Leaders who demonstrate dedication and hard work motivate their teams to emulate and surpass expectations.

Foster a Culture of Innovation
Encouraging innovation and creativity was one of Dr. Kalam’s hallmarks. Leaders should create an environment that nurtures out-of-the-box thinking and welcomes fresh ideas.

Remain Optimistic
Despite challenges, Dr. Kalam’s unwavering optimism resonated in his belief that the right attitude could conquer any obstacle. Leaders who maintain a positive outlook inspire their teams to overcome hurdles with resilience and determination.

Dr. Kalam’s life and leadership style offer a reservoir of wisdom for current and future leaders. Embracing humility, continuous learning, clarity in goals, visionary thinking, leading by example, fostering innovation, and nurturing optimism can redefine leadership paradigms. By imbibing these principles, leaders can pave the way for a brighter, more innovative, and harmonious future. Dr. Kalam’s legacy beckons leaders to lead not just by authority but by inspiration, vision, and humility.

I am filtering ChatGPT and you will too…

Recently one of my team members sent me an email about the salary increase and how he deserves a better raise. Now don’t get me wrong generally we do give appropriate raises but these are trying times.

I didn’t consider his request genuine and gave it a passing thought because most of it was generated using ChatGPT. I can easily make out that the sentences and vocab used were not his and it’s formulated using Generative AI. Even though the mail was good and to the point, but, it was rather too good and accurate. Hence my suggestion is to be genuine not be lazy and don’t use the tool for everything, specifically if there is ingenuity and originality required, be yourself.

When to use and when not to use ChatGPT is at your discretion but beware that everyone can filter the ChatGPT-generated text and may not feel your passion, pain & emotion if it’s wrapped around ChatGPT text.