In the first part of this article we looked into the challenges we face in getting things done with co-operation from others; especially when we have limited control and influence on these people
Now let us take a look at some of the strategies, on how to face these challenges.
1. Share the credit
If you expect cooperation, be willing to share credit and recognition as well. Even if your collaborator wants to hog the credit for some part of your project, let him have it. In the end if you are the one who nursed the project day in and day out, due credit eventually will come to you.
May be sometimes you need to massage a bit of ego too. I read an observation made by one of the most successful business men in India about a certain species with whom this strategy works wonders; a species whose support is very critical for most projects.
2. Don’t go in for a kill
It is advisable to follow an outflanking strategy as much as possible instead of directly going in for a kill. Such aggressive acts could spawn a hate club waiting for your weak moment which in the real world may come faster than you may think.
Therefore as far as possible avoid hitting against the wall ahead; try to go around it or above it. This may also lead your opponent to underestimate you which may bring down his defences.
3. Show you strength
Be willing to flex your muscles (not literally) when needed. Do it subtly and discreetly. Very often you will get better cooperation if the opponent perceives that you are strong.
When you should take the sword out have a blood bath. (You can get a better exposition of this idea in Machiavelli’s “Prince” and a good practical implementation in Mario Puzo’s “Godfather”)
4. But don’t be a Don Quixote
Don’t go around showing off your strength and bragging about it. Don’t overuse it either and don’t get provoked by every obstacle. It is not worth wasting a lot of time fighting unnecessary battles.
5. Be Magnanimous in Victory
When you finally win, especially after a struggle, don’t rub it in. Be discreet, else you end up adding fuel to the fire in the heart of that guy who has already lost.
6. Be a guest
When you have to walk into somebody else turf, keep the intrusion as minimal and as non-threatening as possible. Make him feel that you are a guest rather than an usurper. (I agree there are times when you have to takeover, then make it an act of assertion and not of aggression)
7. It is better to be a mystery
Be a mystery. Mystery is often respected. There are times when you have to keep you opponents guessing on how many aces you have up your sleeve.
8. United we are strong
A network of friends can be your strength; especially if they share similar interests. If they are powerful all the better:-)
9. Collect Gold Stamps
Whenever you can, extend a helping hand; it will surely get you some gold stamps that may come in handy. In corporate galaxy it is a universal currency.
10. Learn to play chess
As in chess, there are rules that you have to follow and you need smart strategies to stalemate your opponent not a gun to shoot.
11. Keep your cool
If you lose your cool then you lose your ability to make a good judgement. If you do it often, it loses whatever effect it may have. Sometimes your opponents may consciously use this to unsettle you.
12. Political Power of Boss
Political power of (clout) your boss is a great help to move some butt. But don’t run up to you boss crying ‘Pappa” every time you face an obstruction. It will not buy you respect and he will see you as a ‘high maintenance asset (or liability)”
But once a while you should go to him and ask for help. And then thank him for the help! (If you are smart you will exercise this option in situation where he can make a significant difference).
13. Do some P R
You need to blow your trumpet once in a while. Only then people will notice that you are good. There are some people who ignore this. They expect to be recognised just because they are good. If you are not yet a celebrity you may not get noticed amidst all the ambient cacophony unless you work towards it.
14. Don’t open too many fronts at a time
Sometime those who want to derail your project may offer so many digressions into which you may get drawn in. Sometime your detractors may try to dilute your ideas along the way. You need to keep your ideas simple and focused. This will also help to avoid unnecessary turf issues.
When you are in a battle, don’t open too many fronts at a time. It will only waste a lot of energy.
15. Manage your collaborators
In large projects specially that impact a large cross section of the society, it is important to interact with a variety of people to get ideas, support and feedback. Very often they may not be people who are not directly associated with these projects.
Make sure that you acknowledge each contribution. There are times when you may not be able to use/ adopt some ideas. You still acknowledge them and explain why you are not using these ideas (Unless these are too frivolous). If you don’t do that many would stop giving you ideas. It may sound stupid; but very often human sensitivities work like this.
16. Have Fun
At the end of it, you should enjoy the challenge and the journey. Each setback should be seen as a new challenge and don’t start fretting about it.
Tailpiece: This is not a ready to use algorithm but a toolset for survival. . It is nothing new either; just age old wisdom, many of which are familiar to you already. It is up to you to decide which tool(s) to use under each circumstance. A good cricket bat will not make you Sachin Tandoolker.
No comments:
Post a Comment