The prime impetus to pursue a management specialisation is the fact that it is the most sought-after qualification today. There is no denying the importance of management education, since it is the acquisition of this knowledge that instils a new confidence and poise, making individuals ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the corporate world.
But beyond the management concepts and skills that you imbibe at B-school, the one critical aspect that makes or mars your career is attitude. The right attitude centres on the WIN principle -- Work hard, Innovate and Never give up.
Most people work for 25 to 30 years, which can be broadly divided into four phases of five to seven years each. The first lasts roughly five years during which you learn to perform as an individual and as part of a team. Along the way you learn the significance of individual performance to the results achieved by the team.
In the second phase, when the individual leads the team as a manager, he learns that he is as good as his team. If he is able to motivate his team to put in 100 per cent, he can deliver 100 per cent. In the process, he hones his people management, relationship building, crisis resolving and decision-making skills.
The third and fourth phases are the most critical, where the practical training and exposure of the first two phases are instrumental in helping you withstand the pressures of the top and succeed.
In the fourth phase, you are expected to take care of the CEO: Customers, Employees and the Organisation/owners. That's where your experience, foresight and understanding of the business model and its needs come into play. Remember, the top of the pyramid is narrow -- there's room only for the best.
Ajai Chowdhry is Chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems. He completed the executive programme at the School of Business Administration, University of Michigan.
