Myko Consulting Professionals

Thought 143

As a it makes perfect sense to understand the kind of person the is. You establish the rapport in the first couple of sessions and you get to know deeper thoughts behind his/ her .

Many times, I ask the candidates, “If you have a new manager and he wants to know how to best manage you, what would your advice be?”

Initially there is some hesitance to answer it, but slowly people do open up. If you actively listen, you come to know a lot more than you initially expected. One needs to interject briefly once in a while to keep it flowing and to remove the pretence. But the journey of discovery is meaningful and worthwhile for both the coach and the coachee.

One of the surprising things (or not so surprising if you think about it) is ‘what is not said’ reveals much more than ‘what is said’. Human tendency (applicable to all of us) is to give positive spin. But one cannot give a positive spin to something that is not said. When you probe a little more regarding the ‘unsaid’ area you (and the coachee too) discovers quite interesting aspects.

Do this interesting exercise that will benefit you. Write down on a piece of paper ‘how to best manage you’. Be honest and truthful. The more honest and truthful you are, you will benefit more! Ask one of your close friends to do this exercise too. Exchange the papers. Have a discussion on both – what you have written and what you have not written.

One of the most common points written is ‘My boss should not micromanage me’. In most cases, people struggle to explain where ‘management’ ends and ‘micromanagement’ begins.

I don’t expect you to put your experience in comments. However, do indicate if you find this exercise insightful! And, oh yes, the personal messages are always welcome. I read all of them.

Your thoughts?

Sunil Bhave

Originally published on LinkedIn on 21st January 2022

Thought 142

“In a group, when asked about the preferred choice of cuisine for the lunch, I always answer ‘Italian’,” the senior executive said.

“You must be a great lover of Italian food,” I remarked.

“That’s quite true! But that’s not the only reason I come up with that answer. All of my friends and acquaintances know the answer they are going to get if they ask me”.

It made perfect sense. It is not uncommon that a group spends a long time deciding where to go for lunch. And someone having a clear preference at least narrows down the choices. Otherwise, haven’t we been in a group that spends an enormous amount of time deciding where to go for lunch?

I asked, “What happens if there isn’t a good restaurant around offering Italian cuisine?”

He said smiling, “Then I tell them, you heard my choice, if that’s not available then I am easy and will go where you recommend”

Paring down the number of decisions one has to make and simplifying where possible are two of the strategies deployed by many successful folks from all walks of life. And, it has been proven to be quite meaningful! This conserves one’s energy for other decisions that one has to make in daily life.

Many leaders (including the ex-POTUS Barack Obama) decided to simplify their wardrobes for the same reason. Some others have simplified and standardized their breakfast menu. Many such decisions have been standardized to make life simple. It is said that an adult makes about 35,000 decisions (or more) every day! Additionally, decision fatigue (brain getting tired of making decisions) is a well-proven phenomenon. It affects the quality and quantity of decisions one makes. And what is the way out? Cutting down on the decisions that you make and simplifying life!

Have you consciously tried paring down the number of decisions or simplifying them? Has it worked for you?

Sunil Bhave



(Originally published on LinkedIn on 14th January 2022)