Making Of Competent Leaders

ORGANISATIONS MUST EMBRACE A CULTURE OF LEARNING TO EMPOWER LEADERS WITH RELEVANT SKILLS AND INGRAIN IN THEM STRONG VALUES.

- Gen. Bikram Singh

ORGANISATIONS NEED to invest in the development of their leaders to build and sustain competitive advantage in the fast-paced environment of the 21st century. Well-nurtured and empowered leaders help create vibrant teams of achievers who are capable of accomplishing organisational goals in spite of gusty headwinds.

While some of the public and private sector enterprises have institutionalised mechanisms to train their leaders, the majority pays scant regard to this vital requirement. Creating and preserving a culture of learning, where professional growth and excellence are consistently encouraged and rewarded, is fundamental to the success of any enterprise. Organisations which have ignored this function have stagnated, and some of them have gone into a downward spiral.

The Army’s culture accords topmost priority to the development of its leaders. It is undertaken through a progressive and purposeful process that not only transforms civilians joining the organisation into competent leaders but also empowers them to fulfil their roles and obligations as they rise to shoulder greater responsibilities. To empower leaders with contemporary skills sets, the process also draws upon best practices from various other fields of human endeavour. Moreover, as large numbers of army personnel are deployed overseas for the United Nations’ peacekeeping operations, global leadership requirements are also factored into the training regimen. Cultural awareness and respect for customs, traditions and sensitivities of the host country coupled with humility, cordial and affable demeanour help enhance mutual understanding and build enduring relationships. Companies with global footprint should be mindful of this requirement.