Making that smart move

Corporate leaders agree that asking smart questions definitely give an employee an edge over others. It adds to the creativity quotient and as corporate guru Bob Suttons says always listen attentively before framing your question. Jaydip Majumder reports
What’s your take on this? You have been working in a company for three years and itching for a promotion. So you master up enough courage and ask the Head of Department, “What can I do to get a promotion?” The person looks up at you from behind his rim-edged spectacle, for a minute, and shrugs off, “Of course if you have met your deadlines and targets, we’ll consider you for a role change.”
The response definitely disappoints. But stop to think for a moment, is it really the fault of the person sitting across the table? Couldn’t you have framed the question in a better manner so as to elicit a better response?
A far better way to ask is for example, “I assume I have met my goals and targets. What else can I do to get a promotion?” To this, the HOD, would say, “Yes, you should get more involved in the formulation of strategy. That way, you would be considered more as a resourceful person.”
Corporate leaders agree that asking smart questions definitely give an employee an edge over others. It adds to the creativity quotient and as corporate guru Bob Suttons says always listen attentively before framing your question.
Talking smart and asking smart questions are extremely important in this cut-throat world of corporate competition. So how does one do it? The wording of the question is extremely important.
Arun Kumar Sur, former President (Network), Reliance Communications, and now an independent consultant, says, “The corporate world has really become very competitive. Here everyone is trying to outdo the other. Hence, a person, who is sharp, is able to take on more responsibility, and also delivers on time, do well.
“Coupled with this, a person should have the go-getter attitude, and never beat around the bush. It is better to be very specific where asking a question is concerned. You could ask how do I get A, B or C? Never generalize. A generic question always elicits a generic response.”
Kalyan Sarangi, the regional director of ZTE Corporation, echoes, “Plan the questions much ahead of asking them. These days one often has to organize conference calls with clients, many of whom are foreign. The foreign clients, in particular, are very finicky. If you are a part of such a project, study it. Be prepared since you can rest assured the client would ask you questions. Then instead of fumbling you should be able to think smart and ask sharp questions.” That will definitely put you in good stead where your company and its clients are concerned.
“The amazing thing that happens when you are able to communicate properly is that both you and your clients feel happier. There is more clarity in conversation and precision of thought as well. It feels easier,” says Sur. You feel more in control of the situation and your performance improves.
This brings us to the bottom line – performance is the main thing. You just cannot promote a glorious picture of yourself by doing nothing. If you do not perform no matter how much of a go-getter you are, you will not rise up the ranks.
Mr Subhendu Dey, Associate Dean, Globsyn Business School, says, “Individuals following the Japanese philosophy of ‘genchi genbutsu’ that is, getting your hands dirty, to identifying and solving problems immediately get promoted faster.”
The other principles, according to Dey, are fairness and ethical approach, providing high quality goods and services to consumers, focusing on continuous improvement, humility even at the pinnacle of success, being grateful to the peers, consumers and working towards achieving a common goal. An individual’s success after at all has a lot to do with the team effectiveness.
Debdutta Choudhury, a mechanical engineer from Jadavpur University and a graduate from IIM-Joka, and at present the Associate Vice-President (Marketing), Globsyn Group, is of the opinion that a person must have the will to win. Be creative in your thinking always. Do not give up easily and don’t think that anything is impossible.”
It is important to develop good rapport with people too. The other important qualities that propel a person to success are to respect teamwork. “Individually we would not achieve much. It is the team that counts.”
There are no short cuts to getting up there. Some of the qualities required are leadership ability, creativity, smart thinking, generating newer and fresher ideas, and working hard and also working smartly. Experts agree that it is important to listen first before you can ask the right questions.
“We all hate ‘know-it-all brats’ who do not listen to conversations. Listening is important if you wish to ask the right questions,” says Delhi-based writer Anand Choudhary. Also you could tell stories and use examples of clients whose problems you have solved. These demonstrate your capabilities and give you an edge over others. Is anyone listening? (TWF)

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