The Habit of Reading

Reading has been around for as long as books have been around, and that takes us back to thousands of years. Human beings have been recording their knowledge in the form of books for others to read since time immemorial. Ancient texts were written and immortalized in books even in the absence of technology. Reading as an activity has been practiced for acquiring knowledge as well as entertainment. The habit of reading is very beneficial and should be inculcated. Here are some reasons why:

Awareness

Reading increases your awareness of the world in general. One is able to gather more information about their environment if they are inclined towards reading.

Vocabulary

The habit of regular reading helps us develop a good vocabulary. An extensive reader will have a wide recognition vocabulary. He might not know the exact meaning of every word, but he will have an excellent understanding of the essence of the sentence. Frequent reading enables you, to become alert and zealous about new words. Some of the regular readers develop the habit of referring the dictionary. Each and every time they come across an unknown word, they try to find out what can be its possible meaning by the context. If they cannot figure it out, they refer to the dictionary.

Positivity

Habitual reading helps you to have an active and positive set of mind. Just understanding the author's idea is not sufficient. You should respond positively to what you read. One of the pragmatic parts of active reading is the ability to conclude.

Good Use of Time

Reading is an excellent use of time, as not only does it occupy and entertain us, it also aids in our personal and intellectual growth. So one should indulge in reading in their leisure time as well, making most of the limited time we have in our day.

Entertainment

The best part is that reading is a lot of fun and if you don't find it entertaining, chances are that you have not found the right book for yourself. There is definitely at least one genre of books out there for each one of us.

Acquiring Knowledge

Gaining knowledge is the primary function of books and one that we all are aware of since kindergarten. We read for learning in schools, colleges and self learning in later years. A habit of reading makes one go through all these processes of learning, with much ease.

Opens The Mind

Reading is basically a psychological activity. This is because, we read with our mind and use our power of imagination to perceive the scene of the melodrama we are reading. We use our mind to feel the struggle that the protagonist experiences as the story goes on. We also bring into light the different opinions and ideas brought up by the writer in that personal guide book we are going through.

Intellectual Curiosity

In the similar fashion, regular reading boosts intellectual curiosity by exposing you to a variety of books. You tend to start reading by reading books of increased complexity and variety. Also, you learn by actually experimenting different things.

How to Ace a Group Discussion

When it's time for you to begin your career, whether it is campus recruitments or other recruitment drives, fresher's in hoards throng to the venue for the job opportunities. The very first level of elimination is the Group discussions, making it the most fearsome hurdle between you and the job. of course, there are many rounds of interviews for the few vacancies on offer, but one would be able to go through them only, if one is able to get through the Group Discussion round first. Here are a few factors that should be taken care of for acing a Group Discussion.

Grooming

The first thing that catches the eye about a person is grooming. It is first impression that matters a lot. Keeping this in mind one should dress up well and pay attention to their grooming for the Group Discussion.

Take Clarifications if Required Beforehand

One should clear any doubts if they have beforehand itself, so that one is able to start the Group Discussion on a clear note.

Always Carry a Pen and Notebook

One should ensure that they carry a pen and a notepad to the Group Discussion, so that they are able to jot down any points while participating in the discussion, not only does this help you in remembering your points well, it also shows your preparedness to the recruiters.

Correct Body language

One should pay attention to body language while in the discussion, as these are the things that are noticed by the recruiters. they pay very close attention to the way the candidates carry themselves and speak. Some pointers of correct body language are

Don't Point on others

Don't cross hands

Use your hands while talking ( hands facing up and open suggest a confident personality )

Sit Erect, don't slouch

Don't bite nails

Initiate the Discussion if Possible

It's always advisable to initiate the discussion, unless one is not confident about the topic. In such case when the topic is unfamiliar wait and let someone else initiate the discussion and then you will be able to get information about the topic, which can then be used to give astute comments.

Maintain Eye Contact while Speaking

It's extremely important to maintain eye contact while speaking. While addressing a group, one should make eye contact with all the members equally with whom it's possible to make eye contact ( due to proximity and line of vision )

Listen

Usually people think that in a Group discussion one should go on speaking, even though it is good to talk in a group discussion, but one should also be able to listen to the important points made by other candidates as well, not only does it give you new ideas, it also gives you time to think and formulate your next response, which would be very much in the right context.

Speak well

This is the most important of all the points, ultimately one has to speak well in order to impress the recruiters. Hence one should polish their language skills and increase their knowledge base.

Maintain Decorum

It is very important to maintain decorum while in a Group Discussion, as unruly behavior is the most undesirable for everyone.

Be Positive

Lastly, be positive. It effects us, as well as others around us.

Inculcating Leadership Qualities

"A genuine leader is not a searcher of consensus but a molder of consensus"- Martin Luther King

A Leader is a person whom people follow, or someone who guides and directs people. Leadership can be defined as "organising a group of people to achieve a common goal". Everyone wants to be a leader but the fact remains that with great authority comes great responsibility. One must assume responsibility to gain leadership. Even that is not enough as true leaders are those people whom everyone wants to follow and not necessarily have to follow. 

A Leader has to be charismatic, for everyone around him to follow him, but he also has to ensure, the success of the common goals and aspirations of the group, failing which the whole purpose is lost. The followers give their loyalty in exchange for the realization of their dreams, which they feel is possible with the guidance and support of their leader.

In our age and time, we all have the ability to metamorphize into a leader given that we are able to inculcate the following set of qualities.

Decision Making Skills

Decision Making Skills are imperative to every leader, since they are the ones who are in authority for not only themselves but the whole group of individuals they represent. Risk taking is necessary to a great extent for reaching our goals, however here the acumen of the leader comes into play as he should be capable of taking calculated risks to maximize returns.

In Depth Focus

A leader has to be focused, towards the goal and he must ensure that everyone within the group is also equally focused. Deep focus is necessary to achieve success, because that ensures that one would do everything consistently and efficiently over a period of time to reach desired outcomes.

Communication Skills

Communication is the backbone of human relationships, it is indispensable for a leader to have good communication skills. Not only is he able to control & command, he is also able to resolve conflicts within the group with good communication skills.

Developing Striking Personality

A Leader must possess a striking persona, which would include his language skills, the way he carries himself, confidence.

Gaining Experience

Inexperience, a lack of maturity, needing to be the center of attention, not recognizing limitations, a lack of judgment, an inferior knowledge base, or any number of other common mistakes made by rookie leaders can cause your house of cards to fall. If you don’t have the experience personally, hire it, contract it, but by all means acquire it. Great leaders surround themselves with tier-one talent and the best advisers money can buy. They don’t make uniformed or ill-advised decisions in a vacuum.

Expanding Knowledge Base

Great leaders have a deep understanding of their subject matter, and a strong orientation toward achievement. Great leaders possess what often appears to be a sixth sense or an almost instinctive feel for what the needs to occur leverage their knowledge into a competitive advantage.

Integrity

Always do the right thing regardless of sentiment and never compromise your core values. If you cannot build trust and engender confidence with your stakeholders you cannot succeed. No amount of talent can overcome illegal, immoral or otherwise ill-advised actions. A leader void of integrity will not survive over the long-haul.

Developing Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills are very necessary for a leader as he needs to modulate the group dynamics and make people work tirelessly with motivation towards a predetermined goal.

Command Presence

Great leaders possess a strong presence and bearing. They are unflappable individuals that never let you see them sweat (unless of course it serves a purpose). Everything from how they carry themselves to how they speak and dress, messages that they are in charge.

Compassion

Compassion and kindness are two virtues of mankind, a leader must possess  them in abundance to gain trust of his followers.

Adaptability

Great leaders have a strong bias to action. They don’t rest upon past accomplishments, and are always seeking to improve through change and innovation. In today’s fast paced and competitive environment those leaders who don’t openly embrace change will often be shown the door prior to the expiration of their initial employment contract.

A Great Sense of Humor

A Leader must possess a great sense of humor, as humor diffuses every tricky situation successfully. As they say being able to laugh and make others laugh in the face of great hardships is the mark of a great leader.

Energy and Hard work

Great leaders have a boundless amount of energy. They are positive in their outlook and their attitude is contagious. A low energy leader is not motivating, convincing, or credible.

Drive and Passion

Drive and passion are always the qualities that make all the difference, one should be able to keep up their drive at all times. Being passionate is an asset, one must involve themselves tirelessly and consistently in the area of their interest to develop passion.

"A Leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way"- John C Maxwell

Life Changing Literature of Our Times

The power of a written word has always astounded the world, many kingdoms have toppled, many revolutions have risen, by a scribble. A well written book, has the power to make us transform ourselves and to influence our thinking, probably that's why the medium of  instruction in education gives so much emphasis on the books, in every culture and society. The world has seen many great books and many great writers and some their work has become immortal. Here's a list of five life changing books of our times.

The Fountainhead- Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand’s novel follows the life of Howard Roark as he is expelled from an architecture school and makes his way into the world. Yes, whilst it sounds boring when written like that, it’s so much more when you look deeper.

It’s not a rebellion against society or a war on design principles, it’s simply one Man living his life on his terms, not in-spite of the world, but simply regardless of what the world says he should do.

This is a must read book for anyone who wants to understand what living with integrity really means.

The Way of a Superior Man- David Deida

David Deida is a profound spiritual teacher whose books have help thousands of Men and Women around the world experience a greater level of depth and intimacy in their lives.

The book walks you through a series of concepts and ideas to help you understand how a ‘Superior’ Man needs to live his life. This isn’t so much a transformation manual as a new age ’10 commandments for the spiritual Man’, but it doesn’t diminish the power of this text.

This is a must read book for anyone who wants a guide on a more powerful and ethical way of living.

To Kill A Mockingbird- Harper Lee

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank

A beloved classic since its initial publication in 1947, this vivid, insightful journal is a fitting memorial to the gifted Jewish teenager who died at Bergen-Belsen, Germany, in 1945. Born in 1929, Anne Frank received a blank diary on her 13th birthday, just weeks before she and her family went into hiding in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. Her marvelously detailed, engagingly personal entries chronicle 25 trying months of claustrophobic, quarrelsome intimacy with her parents, sister, a second family, and a middle-aged dentist who has little tolerance for Anne’s vivacity.

Many Lives Many Masters- Dr Brian Weiss

Dr. Brian Weiss brings to us in this book a very strong concept - that of past lives, rebirth and of a higher consciousness or state - and his inadvertent revelation to the same through his unsuspecting patient. This book transforms our thinking and makes us focus on the true meaning of the gift of life. This book has the power to make you spiritual if you're not.

Make an effort to read these books, they will change your life for sure.

Managerial Competencies

Managerial Competencies can be defined as the personal traits and skills required by a Manager, to perform his job effectively. The importance of good management in organization has led to various training and development activities dedicated to enhancing Management Competencies in their employees.

The critical Management competencies can be categorized as the following: 

Technical Competencies 

Technical Skills Involve process or technique knowledge and proficiency in a certain specialized field, such as engineering, computers, accounting, or manufacturing. These skills are more important at lower levels of management, since these managers are dealing with employees doing the organization’s work. 

The technical skill involves the manager’s understanding of the nature of job that people under him have to perform. It refers to a person’s knowledge and proficiency in any type of process or technique. In a production department, this would mean an understanding of the technicalities of the process of production. This type of skill and competence seems to be more important at the lower levels of management, it's relative importance as a part of the managerial role diminishes as the manager moves to higher positions. In higher functional positions, such as the position of a marketing manager or production manager, the conceptual component, related to these functional areas becomes more important and the technical component becomes less important. 

Human Competencies 

Human Skills Involve the ability to interact effectively with people. Since managers deal directly with people, this skill is crucial. Managers with good human skills are able to get best out of their people. They know how to communicate, motivate, lead, and inspire enthusiasm and trust. These skills are equally important at all levels of management. 

Human skills are also the ability to interact effectively with people at all levels. This skill develops in the manager the ability to perform the following :

a) To recognize the feelings and sentiments of others

b) To judge the possible reactions to, and outcomes of various courses of action he may undertake and

c) To examine his own concepts and values, this may enable him to develop more useful attitudes about himself.  

Conceptual Competencies 

Conceptual Skills Involve the formulation of ideas, conceptualization about abstract and complex situations. Managers understand abstract relationships, develop ideas and solve problems creatively. Using these skills, managers must be able to see the organization as a whole. They have to understand the relationships among various subunits, and visualize how organization fits into its border environment. These skills are most important at the top management levels. 

Conceptual skills refer to the ability of a manager, to take a broad and farsighted view of the organization and its future, his ability to think in abstract, his ability to analyze the forces working in a situation, his creative and innovative ability and his ability to assess the environment and the changes taking place in it. In short, it is his ability to conceptualize the environment, the organization, and his own job, so that he can set appropriate goals for his organization, for himself and for his team. This skill seems to increase in importance as a manager moves up to higher positions of responsibility and authority in the organization.

Thus, technical skill deals with things, human skills concerns people, and conceptual skills have to do with ideas.

The Value of Time

Tick tock....tick tock....time is always counting no matter what happens, our excuses, problems, situations etc. do not work on time, it goes on relentless, ruthless!

 

We are always short of time and time is an important commodity. We all need time to finish our important tasks but as ruthless as it is, it is always less. Even though it is critical at every stage of life , however, there are some phases in life when it matters the most and it is these times that teach us to appreciate the value of time.

Time Management is not only important but also critical for our personal and professional growth. Time Management is an activity of using our time effectively towards set objectives or goal. Here are some basic techniques of Time Management.

Creating Effective Space Around Yourself

To be able to work towards your goals, the first step is to set up organised, work conducive environment around yourself. One needs to bring order to their life before starting anything important, because chaos not only causes unnecessary delay, but also sets in disinterest towards our work.

Setting up Objectives

The next important step is to set up clear cut goals or objectives for ourselves with timelines. This serves as a constant reminder for us that keeps us motivated and also serves as a tool for self evaluation.

Prioritizing

The next step is the most important of all, one has to prioritize their tasks according to their urgency and importance. This step is also the most difficult, hence one can use the below mentioned tools for this purpose.

Pareto Analysis

Pareto Analysis uses the Pareto Principle – also known as the "80/20 Rule" – which was developed by Joseph M. Juran in 1937. It is the idea that 20 percent of causes generate 80 percent of results. With this tool, we can find the 20 percent of work that will generate 80 percent of the results that doing all of the work would deliver. 

ABC Analysis

ABC Analysis is a method of categorization of inventory, for proper material management, however it has been used in a wide variety of concepts, it can be very effectively used for Time Management.

ABC Analysis allows you to prioritize tasks into three categories :

A - Important and urgent

B - Important but not urgent

C - Not important and not urgent

POSEC

Posec stands for "Prioritize by organizing, stream-line, economizing, and contributing." To prioritize means to put first things first. The Posec method is loosely based around Maslow’s theories regarding the "Hierarchy of Needs". It gives the individual a realistic tool for setting priorities as they pertain to one's own unique needs and life goals.

 

The Eisenhower Tower

The Eisenhower Method helps you decide which action you should or shouldn't do. It aids you to divide actions into one of four categories. The quadrants are divided by importance and urgency.

Using the Eisenhower quadrant is very easy. You pick an item from your to-do list and you ask yourself these two questions.

"Is it urgent?"

"Is it important?"

You can now put the action into the correct quadrant. Below is an explanation of each quadrant.

Simple Implementation of Goals (Task Lists )

Apart from the above mentioned tools, there is another way that is very conventional, which says to go with the flow. Here one can take the help of Task lists, that can be made as per the individual's priorities.

Eliminate Non Priorities

The next step is to eliminate non priorities from our work and then proceed further.

Prepare Schedule

Based on all the above, one needs to prepare a schedule for himself that would ultimately lead to the desired objectives in the set time limit.

Time Management Software

In addition to the various tools and techniques available for Time Management, there are certain softwares that are also available.

Rescue Time

Platforms: Windows, OSX, Linux, Android

RescueTime is easy and hot favorite time tracking application. It tracks how you use your computer, from soup to nuts. It tracks what websites you use, and then breaks them into categories for more in-depth look. You can block yourself from distracting websites, and even set manual timers away from the computer.

Chormeta

Platform: Windows, OSX, Android, iOS

Chrometa is cut from the same vein as RescueTime. It automatically tracks everything you do on your computer and neatly categorizes it. Emails, what article you were reading (and how long it took to read it), etc.

Where Chrometa and RescueTime diverge, is that Chrometa also provides a way to bill clients. You can track meeting, phone usage, and even invoice clients straight from within the app.

Don't Forget

The most important is not to forget to add the two most important activities that make life worthwhile and good, to the schedule and that is to take short breaks and always leave time for fun.

The Great Management Books You Should Read

Management is probably the most exploited word by in today's professional environment, then be it any industry, organization, education, leisure and even personal lives of individuals ( Household Management etc.). Management is needed in every sphere of personal and professional life, organizations are paying more and more emphasis on developing managerial competencies in promising individuals. This is reinstated by the fact, that most Training and Development activities in organizations, are centered around the concepts of Management. 

 

There are various Management books that have flooded the market of late, but some remain the Golden etchings in the history of Management writing. Here is a list of the best ones that you should certainly read.

The Gorilla Marketing

Author:                Jay Conrad Levinson

Category:            Sales and Marketing

In the Mad Men era, marketing and advertising implied a big money investment. In this book, though, author Jay Conrad Levinson explained how unconventional efforts can often create better results at a lower cost. Amazingly, Levinson had this insight more than thirty years before social networking and smartphone apps became such a huge part of the corporate landscape.

The Little Red Book of Selling

Author:                Jeffrey Gitomer

Category:            Enterpreneuship

Every entrepreneur will need to know how to sell.  Whether you’re selling prospective employees on your vision, investors on your company, or customers on your product, you need to be able to sell.  Even if you have a partner who is responsible for sales or hire a sales person, you need to understand a methodical sales process.  This book takes you through an industry-generic process for the sales cycle.  It’s a fast read, and a book to keep for reference. 

The One Minute Manager

Author:                 Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson

Category:            General Mangement

Believe it or not, there was once a time when most businesspeople believed managing people was a fairly difficult job. However, that was before Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson set out their simple (some say "simplistic") rules for common-sense management. The success of this booklet spawned an entire industry of "management made easy" consulting.

The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship

Author:                Willam D. Bygrave

Category:            Enterpreneurship

Another classic reference book, well organized and with great set of best practices and references.  One to keep on the bookshelf. Reference it as needed.

The Greatest Salesman of The World

Author :                Og Mandino

Category:            Sales and Marketing

When this classic sales book was written, most people thought of salesmen as slick, fast-talking con-men. While that stereotype still exists, most sales people now, see themselves the way author Og Mandino saw them:  as essentially moral people who are striving to make the world better and make other people happy.

3-D Negotiation

Author:                David A. Lax and James K. Sebenius

Category:            Business Negotiations Skills

Much as fighting in a skilled way isn’t about wading in and swinging wildly and aggressively without direction, negotiation isn’t about shouting loudly and playing hardball on every point.  This book is used by the Harvard Business School for some of their executive level negotiation courses.