Y
50
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Dear Readers
Krishna The Archetypal Mentor
2-6
Mentee – Mentor relationship
7
Mentoring – Myths & Truth
8
Mentoring – Quotes
9
Mentoring – Article in Hindi
10
Mentoringg services
1117
Whether we agree or not, Mentors have played a huge role in our lives. They are around us in various forms, e.g., Teacher, Coach, Trainer, Facilitator, Guide, Counsellor, Inspirators etc. They hone our skills of career and life, fine-tune our leadership, groom us to be better managers, propel us to aspire more and act better, set challenges and help us look inwards for growth outwards. Imagine a world without mentors! How are you looking after your mentors? How are people around you looking up to you? What legacy of learning and knowledge do you intend to leave behind? Time to think. Time to act. whY not? Cheers, Rajiv Khurana Editor rajiv@rajivkhurana.com 9810211256 Advt. Pages 11
Coaching Learning Advancing Sharpening Smartening ©
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Krishna The Archetypal Mentor
The choice of Krishna as the ideal mentor is due to the fact that Krishna performed multiple roles and had numerous mentoring styles. He was leader, manager, negotiator, manipulator, motivator, influencer, all rolled into one. An account of his mentorship would therefore enable us see the diverse styles of mentoring that are needed for diverse situations. The mentoring relationship is one that has become the subject of many business myths. Differences in mentoring styles are galore and there is no one mentoring style that is suited for all occasions. It is essential therefore to first understand what is mentoring and then see the different facets of mentoring in a mentoring relationship. Mentoring, is the process by which people help a protege to promote the protege’s personal and professional growth for organisational success. Mentoring is routinely seen as manifesting soft skills such as the classical virtues of kindness and generosity. The fact that it can also be harsh seems to escape the mind of most theorists. Therefore an account of a real mentoring relationship, one that is widely recognised and one in which various mentoring styles are manifested, becomes necessary. In the Indian context the most successful mentoring relationship is the one between Krishna and Arjuna. Religious preachings and the fantastic mythical details have made it difficult to analyse this relationship and separate fact from fiction. The famous depth psychologist, Carl Jung held the opinion that myths were a guide that enabled a person journey to wholeness. The fantastic details encountered in myths had to be sifted through to get to the core message. Using this perspective we can strip away the divinity associated with Krishna so that we get a picture of the real Krishna and his relationship with Arjuna.
2
http://krishna.org/krishnathe-archetypal-mentor
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
The choice of Krishna as the ideal mentor is due to the fact that Krishna performed multiple roles and had numerous mentoring styles. He was leader, manager, negotiator, manipulator, motivator, influencer, all rolled into one. An account of his mentorship would therefore enable us see the diverse styles of mentoring that are needed for diverse situations.
Arjuna was the individual on whose shoulders the morale of Pandavas rested. His well being heralded victory and he was symbolic of Pandava valour & glory. He was proud of his achievements, but he was also very vain and sensitive to other people’s opinion of him. He had varied needs as an individual. Krishna saw the needs as well as the potential of his young friend and built a successful mentoring relationship. As the account of not just the war but the entire Pandava saga shows, Krishna’s help would enable Arjuna to surmount obstacles and achieve success personally as well as professionally i.e in his duties as a warrior and a prince. What lessons of mentoring may be learned from their relationship? How was he able to provide support and guidance to an individual whose needs were so diverse and so intense?
Show support in word and deed - Building trust
3
Krishna proclaimed his love for Arjuna publicly and made it clear that he attached the highest importance to his friendship with Arjuna. They spent much time together and Krishna took every opportunity to demonstrate his affection for Arjuna. One of the best examples of this is found in the incident of the burning of the khandav forest . To please Agni, Krishna and Arjuna fought Indra and the devas and defeated them. Pleased with their valour, Indra offered boons to both of them. While Arjuna asked for weapons, Krishna asked that his friendship with Arjuna continue forever. The mythical dimensions of this story notwithstanding, it makes Krishna’s fondness for Arjuna very clear. The basis of mentorship lies in being publicly supportive and standing by your protege. The first step to mentoring is building trust.
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Constant support without interferenceBuilding self confidence Krishna was always supportive of Arjuna but he never interfered in Arjuna’s life. He confined his role to providing advice. At no point do we see Krishna commanding Arjuna to take decisions or actions chosen by him. Arjuna had a fragile psyche and he would not have tolerated anyone telling him what to do. Furthermore, it was necessary that Arjuna build confidence in himself. Then only would he be able to take his own decisions. Thus, not only did Krishna not interfere, but he saw to it that Arjuna did not unduly depend upon him-a constant danger in a mentoring relationship. A relationship of fun and cheer- Building openness and warmth
Krishna’s relationship with Arjuna was not a grim one. Krishna’s penchant for pranks is well known and that ensured that the relationship would have been a warm one with a laughter and cheer. Arjuna with his multiple roles and responsibilities took himself too seriously leading to outbursts and displays of temper. A lighthearted relationship ensured that Arjuna was able to view his own actions more objectively. Krishna also ensured that stress was reduced and Arjuna was able to feel confident about Krishna’s interest in him. A mentor usually has the mentee in awe of him. Unless mentors show themselves to be comrades, it is impossible for the mentees to open up to them. .
4
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Provide criticism without denigrating the protégé - Have a non-judgemental attitude Krishna criticised Arjuna’s decisions openly but never denigrated or insulted him. Krishna focused on the issues involved without being judgemental. He did not engage in personal humiliation of Arjuna. Arjuna therefore knew that Krishna would provide him with sound advice and not be swayed by the fear of negatively affecting their relationship.
Support protege in difficult tasks despite reservations Give unconditional support Krishna often criticised Arjuna for wrong decisions but he never left Arjuna to fend for himself and reap the consequences of those decisions. When Abhimanyu was killed and Arjuna took a vow that he would either kill Jayadrath by the evening or commit suicide, Krishna was very critical but put heart and soul into assisting Arjuna to achieve his goal. Thus, standing by your protege against all odds even your own disagreement with his decision helps build the mentor-mentee relationship.
5
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Help protege to make decisions in times of personal crisis - Personal counselling Krishna was friend cum counselor to Arjuna and took the time out to help resolve Arjuna’s personal distress. When Arjuna faced a moral crisis in fighting his relatives, Krishna came to the rescue by propounding the philosophy enshrined in the Gita. He did not resort to a simplistic command tactic, but made the effort to resolve Arjuna’s moral distress to the best of his ability.
Search for ways to enable the protege become aware of his limitations Encourage self awareness There are tales of Krishna destroying Arjuna’s vanity. This was never done openly. The tales talk of tests in which he was destined to fail. At the last moment when a dejected Arjuna would be lonely and depressed and thinking of committing suicide, Krishna would appear and tell him the reason for these tests. These tests were related to Arjuna’s overblown pride in his prowess as an archer. Following these tests, a chastened Arjuna vanquished his vanity and worked towards setting higher standards and viewing failure with maturity.
6
These are seven cardinal principles that can enable a successful mentoring relationship. Techniques and tactics for putting these into effect may differ, but as Stephen Covey puts it, it is important to be clear about principles. The question then arises as to whether the same relationship can be built today. This is possible if one makes it a personal goal to be a complete mentor and emulate the multiple styles of Krishna. The other means is to select a role that one is comfortable with & can excel in and provide mentoring support to those that need it. That choice is ours.
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
MENTEE – MENTOR RELATIONSHIP M Meet often
7
Meet often
M
E
Explore expectations clearly
Ensure expectations are met
E
N
Nurture relationship; be diligent
Navigate the road ahead; keep the long distance view
N
T
Transfer learning into actions
Tolerate lapses, correct the course
T
E
Elicit consistently; dig more out of interactions; go prepared
Out grow dependence; help the mentee be on his/her own
O
E
Express gratitude; Rejuvenate Evaluate own relationship; performance and enthuse mentee the relationship regularly
R
- Intellectual property: Rajiv Khurana
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
You need a saint or a guru to be a mentor Gone are the days of mentees sitting at the feet of the wise one; you never know who might be a powerful learning influence Mentoring only happens on a one-to-one, long-term, face-to-face basis With modern technology mentoring can take place by e-mail, telephone, or social media and may only need a few hours Taking time to mentor decreases productivity Mentoring improves productivity through better communication, goal clarity, increased commitment, and succession planning A mentor needs to be 5-10 years older than the person he/she mentors Innovations happen so rapidly or personal experience is such a great teacher that younger people often have opportunities to mentor older workers; peers are often effective mentors Mentoring is a rare experience and only occurs for a few great people Informal mentoring is probably the most frequent method of transmitting knowledge and wisdom in society; virtually everyone has experienced it Mentoring requires a greater time commitment than most workers can afford Being mentored or being a mentor does not guarantee career advancement, but it does significantly increase on-the-job learning, accelerating career opportunities. Corporations do not have time for mentorship because they are too busy reorganizing, restructuring, downsizing, rightsizing and surviving The changing economy and globalization place great strains on time, but a focus on learning increases stability, change management, and financial growth
8
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
“Remember that mentor leadership is all about serving. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).” ― Tony Dungy
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” ― Margaret Mead
“Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.” ― E.M. Forster “In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.” ― Phil Collins “True education does not consist merely in the acquiring of a few facts of science, history, literature, or art, but in the development of character.” ― David O. McKay
9
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
10
Shuklapaksh, April 1-15, 2016
Y
#50 May 1, 2016 Coaching Learning Advancing Sharpening Smartening
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Make Your SMART People SMARTER Periodic learning investments do wonders to people and business. Take your people to a new orbit of awareness and equip them with SMART skills they need. Start catapulting your business to the level next. Each programme shall be tailor-made to your organization’s specifications and nuances. You are different. Your programme should be different too. Call us for a dialogue. +91 9810211256 +91 9013698960 rajiv@rajivkhurana.com
S M A
R T E R
Š
Sharpening Business Presentations Multimedia Usage in Training Accelerating Innovativeness Reaping High Performance through Coaching & Mentoring Team playing and Leading Enhancing Personal Effectiveness Rejuvenating Digital Presence & Personal Branding
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Family Business Mentoring Mentoring YES – Young Entrepreneurs for Success Career Mentoring
9810211256, 9013698960 rajiv@rajivkhurana.com http://in.linkedin.com/in/rajivkhurana
Y
Family business Rajiv Mentoring Khurana by
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Family ventures in India serve as the backbone of the economy. Name any field of business or social initiative, and families in India would have played a pivotal role. Family businesses have their own unique style and culture which keep evolving over the time. Market opportunities have been expanding globally; technology has been helping in the need and speed of delivery and the social and family milieu has created new dimensions in control and decisionmaking power-centres, besides the newer generation aspiring for new avenues or seeking a higher and faster stake in the enterprise. Complexities have been rising and so has the commitment to succeed. Globally, businesses are seeking professional MENTORS for advice, strength and support. In India, highly aware families have followed suit. Some are gearing up, while a large number still live in the comfortable bliss of ignorance. You too can easily reach out to a MENTOR if you identify your family business with any of these illustrative needs: International Management Consultant & Trainer, Venture Mentor, Executive Coach, Social Entrepreneur, Well published writer‌
1/3
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Family business Rajiv Mentoring Khurana by
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS You want your business to move
into a new orbit of expansion and excellence You are bored with a nominal arithmetic progression of growth and wish to transform to a dynamic, geometric progression You are facing some immediate issues and need a fresh, independent perspective You need a fresh look at your vision, mission, values and goals You want your business to raise its standards and performance bar You desire a rational alignment of all family members and senior executives vis-à-vis your goals and overall direction. You desire to identify and/or strengthen your competitive edge You wish to strengthen the work culture and change the customer and people-outlook of your business You need a sounding board for your ideas You wish someone could challenge your assumptions and preparedness You need support to refine the Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Work Habits within the family and senior employees
2/3
Y
#50 May 1, 2016
Family business Rajiv Mentoring Khurana by
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
You need help in the right induction of family youngsters You need support for the grooming and mentoring of family youngsters to refine their experience and skills as they get ready for responsible leadership roles You wish to create a smoother business succession plan for the next generation to take over You need help in conciliation, reduction or resolution of cross-generation friction You want to improve the leadership and managerial abilities of the family and the team You desire a good blending with your partners and all other stakeholders You need more time for yourself and desire to decentralize and move into an advisory role You dream to be known as an institution builder instead of remaining a business sustainer
Your choice could be any or many of the above. Professional MENTORING can help your business achieve your aspirations. Let’s talk it out. Fix an appointment for a no-commitment dialogue with RAJIV KHURANA at our office. 9810211256, 9013698960 rajiv@rajivkhurana.com http://in.linkedin.com/in/rajivkhurana
3/3
Y
MENTORING #50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
Young Entrepreneurs for Success For Young Entrepreneurs: New in business Starting a new business Settling into their family business Wanting to do better in business International Management Consultant & Trainer, Venture Mentor, Executive Coach, Social Entrepreneur, Well published writer…
YES
Imagine Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli without a Coach or a Mentor! Parents, friends and well meaning relatives could not have put them on the right path for pursuing greatness. We all need a coach, a mentor, a guide, a facilitator, a reflector, a listener, a professional friend or an advisor. The earlier the better! Make sure that the person is competent and accomplished to help you succeed in personal and professional situations. Your well mentored moves can ease your pursuits through cumbersome challenges of clarity and the complex maze of competence, commitment and creative results. Get set to • Cultivate your skills for a stronger personality and leadership in your entrepreneurial journey. • Strengthen your functional and process proficiency. • Dream Bigger. Achieve Higher. Mentoring by Rajiv Khurana is customized to your personal needs and time flexibility. Fix your appointment for a 30 minute nocommitment dialogue at our office. 9810211256, 9013698960 rajiv@rajivkhurana.com http://in.linkedin.com/in/rajivkhurana
Y
CAREER MENTORING by
Rajiv Khurana
#50 May 1, 2016
Window for action loving PROFESSIONALS
International Management Consultant & Trainer, Venture Mentor, Executive Coach, Social Entrepreneur, Well published writer…
Why Career mentoring? C
Confusion: Choices, Entry to Exit, Options, Mid-career blues, Personal branding, Digital presence…
A
Acquisition: From employability to advancement Knowledge, Skills, Attitude, Habits, Behaviour, Certifications, Courses…
R
Route-map: Goal clarity, Milestones, Personalaction dashboard…
E
Engagement: Role clarity, Balancing and aligning with organisational needs, Strengthening Team and Leadership roles, Pacing the performance relays…
E
Excitement: Enhancing intrinsic motivation, Energising challenges, Experimenting with multiple avenues…
R
Relationships: Intra and Inter-teams Seniors, Networking, Work-life balancing… ©Rajiv Khurana
We choose our career. Our career makes us. Our journey through different checkpoints is full of Compulsions Ambiguity and Re-prioritizing, yet Enthusiasm Enlightenment and Rejuvenation. How are you sailing through? How often do you feel the need for a coach, a mentor, a guide, a facilitator, a reflector, a listener, a professional friend or an advisor? Considering the appointment of your MENTOR to be the job of your boss or the company alone is letting them take charge of your career. You have the highest stake in your career. You decide. Help for short-term clarity to long-term course correction is just a meeting away. Send an email answering, ”Why do I need a MENTOR?”, and we may invite you for a 30 minute, no-commitment dialogue at our office. 9810211256, 9013698960 rajiv@rajivkhurana.com http://in.linkedin.com/in/rajivkhurana