Thursday 26 April 2007

Influence

One of the many reasons why I think Monterey is more interesting than Davos:


I mentioned one of the TEDtalks by Hans Rosling sometime back.


Anyway, not too long ago, in a discussion with a senior member of a reputable international institution, I was told that although intelligence, diligence and productivity are very important, they are not the most valuable attributes of a member of an organisation or an employee of a company.


The most valuable attribute, it is said, is the ability of a member or employee to inspire people around her to a common cause, objective or direction – to shape opinions, drive ideas and stir passion. This is especially true for those in leadership positions.


It is not difficult to see how this is also relevant beyond organisations and companies, extending to the society in whole. The questions are however; do we have enough people with such attribute in Malaysia? And how many of them have the capacity and ability to affect positive change for the future of the country?


Elanor

13 comments:

NYPT said...

integrity is also an important attribute, although not glamourised in the corporate world. Its more important now since corporate social responsibility has came into the picture.

Khairy Jamaluddin is an example of an excellent leader who possesses all the attributes but lack integrity. Well, thats just my opinion.

NYPT said...

but the problem is measuring integrity...you cant expect to gauge a person's integrity at an interview, unless he is well known and has made a reputation for himself.

Maybe Elanor Tan could come up with a measure?

Anonymous said...

That's why political parties need experienced "political entrepreneurs" ..they would have to recruit those qualified leaders who have proven their capability steering their ship to success when they were entrepreneurs in the business world with proven track record of having complied with corporate integrity and corporate governance required of them.

feliz

Anonymous said...

like tan sri khailid ibrahim of PKR? or Tony Pua?

zcer said...

Well, I can't say I know anything at all about business. But isn't productivity all that matters? I would think the others are just factors of it...

NYPT said...

zcer,

look up nick leeson.....productivity is not all that matters.

zcer said...

I would say Nick Leeson had negative productivity. I mean, without integrity, how can you be productive? It's hard to measure true productivity, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In Leeson's case, we simply failed to take into account his integrity in assessing his productivity. Unless productivity has a precise, technical meaning i'm not aware of...

Anonymous said...

which business school did zcer graduate from? hahahaha...

zcer said...

If both a moron and a professor were to try to explain something to me. I would listen to whoever makes sense. Now. Make sense.

Let me sketch out the intellectual evolution of a Malaysian. First she accepts chasing As instead of taking over her father's business. Then she accepts being spoonfed instead of chasing As. Then she accepts INDEPENDENT learning and CRITICAL THINKING(tm) instead of being spoonfed.

Anonymous said...

ok....looks like you took over your father's business and skipped school....bravo...you make sense dude...now its time for your nobel prize for breakthrough in management.

zcer said...

You don't get it do you? If i don't make sense just show me how stupid I am. I really want to understand why I'm wrong here...

zcer said...

nitpicker (and friends),

I think there are 4 kinds of people that reads what Elanor writes:

1. People who want to understand more about the economy and related phenomena.
2. People who want to rationalize their disdain for the Malaysian govt. (How many comments are there which merely "apply" Elanorics to condemn the govt. And don't even pretend to contribute any ideas whatsoever?)
3. Those who just want to feel smart.
4. Those who have a crush on Elanor.

Anonymous said...

i think even the people in category 1 thinks elanor is "fit" as hell....

thats why i like this site...

nitpicker