By Pranavesh Sivakumar reporting from Bhubaneshwar, India
- M. Somaya, one-time India Hockey captain, drove the message that leadership linked with corporate side, isn’t associated with designations and posts.
“Leadership doesn’t come with designations and posts. It’s about, discovering and developing them from day-to-day life. Be cheerful and offer a helping hand”, he strongly emphasised, addressing 30 young reporters during the Young Reporters Programme (YRP) at, Bhubaneswar.
Speaking eloquently on day-03, Saturday (15), touching on “Corporate leadership”, the Gold Medal winner placed on record, “All what I’ve learned through my predecessors, I had applied in my own life. Elevating India from no.12 to no.6 was competitive”.
The mid-fielder, went on to draw examples from three-personalities, who in turn had taught him lessons.
“One such guru was another World Cup winning-captain, Ajit Pal Singh. He carried charisma and a commanding style of leadership. Ajit, was a pacesetter”, he spoke highly of his favourites.
Somaya said, to the budding and beginner scribes, you’re a thought leader yourself. You write for publications. Leadership gets in your system with, what you do and the roles you play.
“Don’t let a solitary game upset you. When your hit, you should rise again. He was that morale-boosting leader”, the 59-year-old, reflected on a retrospect.
The likes of Balbeer Singh, a three-time Olympian, practised the mantra, “without failure, no success”, according to the guest speaker.
“I also made it a point, to be good to people. Making it a point to go after them and politely correct them. Saying it’s for both of our good. By not hurting feelings. I tried to be affiliated, tried to become close to them. I was rated very high on directive style, as well as affiliated style. The third style, I was rated highly, was coaching”, he said responding, as to what leadership style he possessed and practised.
But, building on that, the Olympian elucidated, “Varies from team-to-team. Depends on the situation. There’ll be times, to deal with the ego of super-stars. But, eventually, nature of the situation, individuals and teams will have the say. It would be unfair to say that, I’m the owner of this leadership style”.
“I had the sixth-sense to say, this man/woman is ready to take, what I’m going to tell him. If not, it’s going to be counterproductive. I’m not technically a superior bloke or a superior, but I had studied my business over 30-years”, he added.
The 1980 Olympian also disclosed, coacing was born in him, because of the sportsman he was.
“I’m not qualified to answer that”, he said, on a lighter note, in response to another question, as to what’s the leader style missing, in this day and age.
“Besides armed forces, sports teaches you leadership. In that way, the 10-15-years spent in sports had kept me in good stead”, he shared.
Summing up the ex-captain concluded, “Go consult each member in creating your plan. When in a team, you have to be selfless. Work to your strength. They’ll keep covering defence and attack. Play to your strength. Inculcate the element of faith and, at the same time, create the tense situation”.
Team building skills, the Arjunaaward-winner for hockey had
gathered over his career, had set the now, retired executive directorof Bharat Petroleum,apart in his corporate life.
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