Sweating The Training

<p>In the 1990s, a multi-national business machine manufacturer was a preferred employer at engineering and management schools. Candidates considered it an extraordinary learning organization.</p>

<p>So why was the Chairman, the primary investor in this joint venture, sweating it out in his chamber? And car? And home? This was biting Delhi winter!</p>

<p>Well, as it turned out, he had been directed by the European office to attend a top management training program in Switzerland.<br />
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s nice&rdquo; was my reaction.<br />
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not nice&rdquo; was the Chairman&rsquo;s correction to my reaction.<br />
&ldquo;Why Sir?&rdquo;</p>

<p>As I recall, the debriefing included the following guidelines:</p>

<ul>
<li>You will be attending this top management training program and be expected to absorb the content from a trainer&rsquo;s paradigm.</li>
<li>Next, you will be required to replicate the training for your senior managers. The senior managers will in turn be required to replicate the training for middle-level managers. The quality of training must remain undiluted.</li>
<li>Your role when senior managers conduct their respective trainings will be that of a coach to each of these senior managers.</li>
<li>As a first step, please get familiar with the course materials contained in this packet.</li>
</ul>

<p>I now understood this young Chairman&rsquo;s predicament. Even though he was a recent Ph.D.</p>

<p><strong>Random Thought:</strong></p>

<p>The attributes of an effective Leader are;</p>

<ul>
<li>Trainer</li>
<li>Coach</li>
<li>Counsellor</li>
<li>Facilitator</li>
<li>Recognizer.</li>
</ul>