6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss
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Transcript of 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss
SAUDI HARMONY
2012
6 Ways to Manage Your
Indian Boss
A Concept Note
Upendra Kartik Peri
75201, Riyadh, 11578, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Contents
1. Why this document ............................................................................................ 3
2. Why Indian Boss are Different ........................................................................... 4
3. The 6 Ways ........................................................................................................ 6
3.1 Indian Boss Loves Hierarchy ............................................................................ 7
3.2 Ask About Family ............................................................................................ 8
3.3 Greet during Festivals ................................................................................... 10
3.4 Never Hit on Face ......................................................................................... 11
3.5 Say, “I am sorry” ........................................................................................... 13
3.6 Have Casual Meetings ................................................................................... 15
4. Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 16
5. About the Author ............................................................................................. 17
6. References ....................................................................................................... 18
This document is essentially
created to understand the
different behaviours of Indian
Bosses in different situations.
There are thousands of international corporations
operating in India and more than a million Indian
expats working around the world in managerial
positions.
Sooner or later, there can be a situation where you
start reporting to one. So, it is important to understand
“Do’s and Don’ts” with your Indian Boss.
This document helps you to
understand the key cultural
and behavioural aspects of
typical Indian Bosses.
This document is based on experiences of the Author
and not to criticise, separate or hurt any feeling,
beliefs or facts. Any contradictions with the opinions
expressed in this document are not entertained.
1. Why this document
1000+ international
corporations
operating in India
and more than a
million Indian expats
working around the
world in managerial
positions
Indian Bosses are different
because they come from a
much diversified place, like
India. It is a diversified
country with many cultures,
languages, religions and
climatic conditions.
Some basic facts about India:
Political Diversity
It is a sub continent with 28 states and 6 union
territories.
Linguistic Diversity
There are 1,652 different languages.
Cultural Diversity
There are 18 cultures like Punjabi, Marathi,
Tamil, Telugu, Karnataka, Gujarati, Rajasthani
and so on.
There are more than 100 festivals that a typical
Indian celebrates.
It is land for Hinduism, Christianity, Islam,
Jainism, Sikhism and many more religions.
Geographical Diversity
India is geographically much diversified. There
are cold Himalayan Mountains, Rajasthani
Deserts, 100+ Rivers, plateaus and plains.
There are world’s highest rainfall and no rainfall
areas. So, India is a diversified place.
2. Why Indian Boss are Different
Indian Bosses are
different as India is
diversified. It is
diversified in
languages, cultures,
festivals, Gods, food
habits and climatic
conditions. So, don’t
treat all your Indian
Bosses same way.
Yes, don’t expect all Indian
Bosses to be same. They
speak different languages,
celebrate different festivals,
live differently and even eat
differently. Using same tricks
on everyone may bounce back.
Gather basic information
about your Boss like
which part of India he
belongs to (North or
South), which language he
speaks, which religion he belongs to, how many
members in his family, who are they etc., and then
start moving your pawns. Now you are ready to learn
the DO’s and DON’Ts with Indian Bosses.
Know your Boss
whereabouts. That is
the first step for a
better relationship
between you and
your Indian Boss.
There are six ways proposed
in this document to manage
your Indian Boss effectively.
These methods are tested
and successfully proved with
many Indian Bosses.
You may ask me why am I so confident about these
techniques or DO’s and DON’Ts. As I am one such
Indian Boss and over a decade I worked under 20+ such
Indian Bosses.
The below explained 6 ways can be your first step to
establish a great relationship between you and your
Indian Boss.
This can result in many positive changes in your career
like a Promotion or increment in your pay during the
next cycle, or spotlight focus in your department or in
organization.
3. The 6 Ways
Know your Boss
whereabouts. That is
the first step for a
better relationship
between you and
your Indian Boss.
The 6 ways to
manage your Indian
Boss:
1. Indian Bosses
love hierarchy
2. Ask about
family
3. Greet during
festivals
4. Never hit on
face
5. Say “I am sorry”
6. Have casual
meetings
Indian Bosses seriously love
Hierarchy; it is in the blood
and gene. You can’t change
it. Starting from the ancient
ages of Maharaja’s it was
followed orthodoxly. The system is simple, King make
rules and people follow.
The legacy continued by Moghals and British. They
made rules that were honoured by followers and by
people. So never directly interact with your Super
Boss or Skip-level Boss without the notice of your
Boss. Typical Indian Boss never likes it. Even he says it
is Okay for him don’t do it.
Inform your Indian Boss even you are late by 10
minutes to work or you want to leave office early. This
creates trust on you.
They like OBEDIENT
subordinates. So when ever
your Boss proposes a
concept don’t argue with
him immediately. If you have a better ideas propose
them during a casual coffee meet. Make him feel that
you are serving his idea in a new bottle.
Do call your Indian Boss “SIR”. He may say he doesn’t
like it or it is against company culture. But ask me, he
loves it. Call him “Sir” whenever possible outside the
company or office time for better results.
3.1 Indian Boss Loves Hierarchy
Hierarchy is the key
to an Indian Boss;
never miss (or mess
with) it.
Indians love to speak about
their family. They love to
speak about their kids and
their achievements, their
parent’s health and so on.
So Indian Bosses also love the same. During a casual chat
with your Indian Boss try to find about his kids, spouse
and parents. This will help to interact with him quickly.
Speak to him during lunchtime, tea break, smoke break,
in elevator or in parking about his family.
(Note: Exceptions are possible especially with Indian expats
settle abroad for a long time. They may be highly reluctant
speaking about their family.)
Find his expressions and emotions while you are speaking
to him regarding the particular family member. If he
excited speaking about someone that is his “HOT
BUTTON”. Speak about him/her as much as possible.
If he is interested speaking about his 9 year old Daughter
or Son, you can try the following questions:
How is her dance class going?
How well she did her project report?
Have he got his favourite play stuff?
How did he do in school baseball or cricket
match?
3.2 Ask About Family
Family is the most
important part of
your Indian Boss. Be
nice to his family so
he can be nice to
you.
If your Indian Boss is interested speaking about his
parents, you can try the following questions:
How the operation did go?
How is his mother’s health?
Is his father walking fine now?
Your Indian Boss may even like if you gifting play stuff
during the occasions like his child’s birthday. Or pay a
visit to his parent(s) when in hospital.
Speaking about your
Indian Boss kids or
asking about his
parents health may
be the hot button.
90% of the Indian
Bosses’ community
likes it.
Do remember Indians celebrate about
100 festivals in a year that come in all
seasons. These festivals or occasions
change according to the region and
religion of your Indian Boss.
As hinted in earlier pages it is important to know to
which part of India your Indian Boss belongs. If he is
travelling back to visit his family to celebrate a festival,
call and wish him during that time. This surely
strengthens the relationship between your Indian Boss
and you.
If he is celebrating festival or
any other occasions try
visiting his home with family
(preferably with spouse).
Plan the home visit only after due intimation of time
and availability. Try to know more about the occasion
or Google it for better understanding so that you don’t
mess up after calling or going there.
Sweets play an important role in
all Indian occasions and festivals.
Once you are aware of the
occasion try carrying sweets that
match the occasion. With careful
planning, little study you become the Blue-eyed boy of
your Indian Boss.
3.3 Greet during Festivals
Festivals are a part
of Indian lifestyle. So
greet your Indian
Boss during relevant
festivals without fail.
Indian Bosses are very
reluctant to a direct
attack. During official
meetings, conferences or
gathering NEVER argue or
criticize your Indian Boss. Indian Bosses seldom
bounce back on you but they will surely wait for an
opportunity.
If you don’t accept with his opinion approach him
during Coffee or Lunch break and explain him your
view in a polite and gentle way making him feel that
you are actually not arguing his point but showing the
new dimension of it.
Never do the gestures that show
that your Indian Boss is wrong.
These can ruin your career in the
organization. There are some
gestures mentioned for your
reference:
Looking at the watch when he is late to the
meeting.
Correcting the spellings in the mails CC to all.
Laughing during his presentation when the
situation is actually serious.
Correcting his sentences for grammar in public
3.4 Never Hit on Face
If you want to see
the worst villains off
screen go ahead and
hit your Indian Boss
on the face.
At the same time please keep
in mind always assist him in
identifying the “0” that
missed in the calculation that
made 10 million just a million. Or the mail sent by
him to client with a wrong or no attachment. These
activities will surely improve the bonding between
you and your Boss.
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A small help to your
Indian Boss will
surely increase your
positive image.
I know it’s very difficult for
most of the educated
population to say “I am
Sorry”. But you have to say it
to please your Indian Boss
and to get the control over
the situation. Actually this 3 word sentence is so
powerful that will let your Indian Boss manage the
situation for you.
No one is a Super Human so we do mistakes. Some
mistakes are easily correctable at your level within
given time and resources. But some mistakes cost
both money and reputation to your organization.
These are out of your range and reach. During such
situations you require help from your Indian Boss.
Some situations you require help from your Boss are:
Missing the project deadlines.
Unintentional miscommunication to vendor
creating excess inventory.
Not sending the monthly report as decided.
Unintentional miscommunication to client
3.5 Say, “I am sorry”
3 small words
together can resolve
big problems.
Leaving hardest part
of us “Ego” is the
most difficult thing.
But it is Okay to
leave it when you
can be saved.
Approach him with
detailed situation analysis
and tell him the actual
story. If any mistake from
your side that made this
situation - say “I AM SORRY”.
Indian Bosses love to hear this statement from you.
Now ask him to get you out of this situation. Here
propose alternatives to him that will resolve this
issue. Make him feel that these are his ides. This will
surely help to get out from the situation.
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Don’t be sorry for
everything. This may
sometimes work
reverse for you.
Indian Bosses like casual
talks. So try to meet them
during coffee break, lunch
time or a smoke break.
Speak to them regarding
the topic of their interest. These can be very casual
talks like the best coffee shop near your office or a
very serious discussion about the world terrorism.
Just entertain him with the topic of his interest. A
genuine interest in his views can help to build a great
relationship.
The below mentioned are some topics that can work
for you:
It may be about a movie released that week.
Today’s traffic jam.
Yesterday’s football or cricket match.
Local or international politics etc.,
Invitation to your Indian Boss
with his family on your
birthday or your child’s
birthday party (non-alcoholic,
preferred) at your home can
increase this rapport.
Remember, don’t invite everyone. Only 2 – 3 selected
families from your office will create a better impact.
3.6 Have Casual Meetings
Casual meetings
increase rapport,
helps you to
understand your
Indian Boss from
Outside- In.
So the conclusion is simple,
try to understand before to
be understood.
Try to understand the differences in your Indian
Bosses’ culture and lifestyle. This will help you to react
to the situation better and lessen the friction; lesser
the friction lesser the problems with your Indian Boss.
Lesser the problems with your
Indian Boss higher the outputs like
bonuses, perks, quarterly or yearly
increments and promotion.
Hope this document helps to understand the unspoken
requirements of your Indian Boss and create a better
relationship.
4. Conclusion
The conclusion is
simple.. Like all
authors after
teaching all the traits
I will not say be true
to self or act
naturally. Traits are
important to
establish self in this
competitive world.
So let’s be it.
Upendra Kartik is the CEO of SAUDI
HARMONY, which he founded in
2010. Since then, he has grown SAUDI
HARMONY into an internationally
recognized and highly respected firm that’s served
client companies through its network of offices 5
countries. As a highly regarded public speaker, Kartik
shares his experience and ideas around the world on a
regular basis.
As CEO, Kartik drives SAUDI HARMONY’s strategic
direction with a focus on continuously improving
existing offerings. Recently, he’s turned his attention
to developing frameworks and approaches for solving
critical organizational problems.
He also co-authored of Return on Investment on Lean
article that has received highest internet search in the
Lean and Six Sigma International Board Community.
5. About the Author
Career Highlights:
Chief Executive
Officer of SAUDI
HARMONY
Lean and Six
Sigma
International
Board, Middle
East Evangelist
Highly regarded
mentor, coach
and public
speaker
Experienced
Lean Six Sigma
Master Black
Belt
Youngest
Entrepreneur
Award Winner
Masters in
International
Business
The reference websites used for the data collection are
mentioned below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India
http://festivals.igiftstoindia.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hindu_festivals
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_India
http://www.indianroyaltour.com/indian-
geography.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions
http://adaniel.tripod.com/religions.htm
6. References
Most of the
references are
through author’s
personal experiences
and from
Google(eswar).