Beyond the Bottomline : Corporate tips from Mom’s lips!

You can never judge a book by its cover - or people by their appearances and their resume. Successful leaders learn to look beyond the fancy window dressing and the looks

That moms are management experts is no secret. They also commonly find a place in award acceptance speeches and have a day dedicated to them this month. But maybe it is time to celebrate them in our everyday successful corporate careers. Because you may not know it, but you apply her little tips every day in the boardroom.

So what did she say that became liquid gold in your hands?

• How do you know you don’t like it till you try it? Starting out with preconceived notions often is the death knell of many good business ideas. Be open to ideas. Velcro was rejected many times before it became a runaway success.
• You can do anything you want if you set your mind to it. Everyone needs to hear this sometime. When we have bad days, our ideas do not take off as expected or we experience a small bump in the road. Push limits and you can do more. Every success story is about following a dream passionately and making it work. Business empires have been built on perseverance. J.K. Rowling was published after 12 rejections.
• Don’t talk with your mouth full. How often have you wanted to chew over an idea? Or digest one? Management gurus tell you to ‘focus’ on what you are doing. Pick one thing and stick to it.
• If everyone jumped into a well, would you do it too? There can be no stronger lesson about not following the herd. The world of business rewards risk takers and those who stand out. Be bold. From Henry Ford to Bill Gates success came to those who did not take the standard path.
• I am going to count till three. Set limits. Demarcate boundaries. Give people the time and ask for results. Limits and deadlines reiterate your expectations from your team.

Early bird gets the worm. This is a true favourite especially of Indian moms and no truer mantra exists. If there are any guarantees of success in the complex world of business, getting a head start on everyone else is it

• Eat your veggies and you’ll grow strong. Sweet success follows bitter struggles. In keeping with the philosophy of being prepared and doing your homework well, doing some not so pleasant things is mandatory to attain your goals.
• This too shall pass. This might seem rather simplistic, but it bodes well in the corporate board room to remember that good times often are followed by the not so good. You have to deal with the bears
• I do not care who started it. Ever had to deal with a blame game when things do not go as planned? As a boss you might need to mediate between members of a team. While listening to all your team members is very important, pointing fingers, tattling tales and passing the buck is a ‘no-no’. The job at hand is paramount.
• Early bird gets the worm. This is a true favourite especially of Indian moms and no truer mantra exists. If there are any guarantees of success in the complex world of business, getting a head start on everyone else is it.
• Finish your food, there are children starving everywhere. A holistic view of all we do. If there was ever a statement that showed the inter connectedness of business, this statement nails it completely. Business is never in isolation and needs to account for the tastes and needs of people everywhere.
• You can never judge a book by its cover - or people by their appearances and their resume. Successful leaders learn to look beyond the fancy window dressing and the looks. They learn to appreciate people for qualities like hard work, loyalty, dedication etc.
• How many times do I have to tell you? “As often as it takes” is the implication, going by the many times moms then proceeds to repeat themselves. Mothers may appear nagging but in repetition lies the key to their success. Patient communication is often the key to business success.
• Money does not grow on trees! This is an absolute keeper for the board room. Companies have often collapsed from reckless spending and not having enough reserves. So make your mom’s mantras yours and celebrate her in the boardroom!

By Suchismita Pai