MBA - Making Bigger/Bolder Asses

Approaching the end of my MBA semesters, I have only one thing to say, "WHAT A WASTE OF TIME, EFFORT & MONEY." The only thing that comes across from all the books that I have read so far is that - they are useless, have no practical value & are full of theories and assumptions.

The so called 'GURUS' of subjects prefer using phrases like "being creative", "thinking out of the box", "putting one or the other in someone else's shoes" and many more of such meaningless collection of words.

If one is a 'GURU' or even a suitably knowledgeable person in some area, they should be able to give 'bang on' answers to problems and not hypothesize or advice!!!

All management books talk about qualities that a manager should have and never about what he should do to achieve them.

All management books talk of motivating employees to work more without specifying the LIMIT of more. It is fine for a manager to be human but not an employee. An employee's only purpose is to imitate a machine, work like a machine and gradually become brain-dead like a machine. Human resource development and training is just a lot of hogwash.

Managers are supposed to address employee concerns with 'careful consideration and sympathy' as if they were some contagious disease!!!

Here are some hard facts that should be taught at any management institute that is worth its salt (read MONEY).

Fact 1 - The easiest way for a manager to alienate himself from his team/subordinates/employees is to create a niche group of trusted members from among the team.

The biggest necessity for a person to be a good manager is to be able to judge people and take independent decisions without the help and support of aides.

Fact 2 - A manager cannot & should never be vindictive (no matter what the stimulus).

It is natural for any human being to have a bias. It is natural for any human to have mood swings.
If a manager allows such natural tendendies to impair his judgement of people and situations, there is only one solution "QUIT WHILE YOU ARE STILL AHEAD"

Fact 3 - DO NOT use/throw management terminology/jargon at your team members.

For all you know, your team members might know much more than you or in most cases care a fig for it.

Fact 4 - Understand the terms really well 'HYPOCRISY', 'DIPLOMACY' & 'KNIFE IN THE BACK ATTITUDE'.

Use any of these with your team members and you will not know what hit you.

Fact 5 - DO NOT DARE to think of your office as a playground/ sea/ field to test your pervertedness

If you are a pervert, well and good. Use your money (u r paid well enough) to indulge your tastes or get married to someone of your choice or get a LIFE!!!

Fact 6 - NEVER offer preferential treatment to a close few.

Every human being is different and so are their needs. Use differential treatment such that it is best liked by the individual.

Give some a benefit and deny others the same, and you are in for a lot of grief!!!

Fact 7 - Every job is different. Understand the need of the job and not pre-suppose it.

'Best Performance is NOT a factor of Productivity.'

Any 'GURU' who disagrees can take a flying jump from the highest point in the universe!

Fact 8 - It is the employees who add to the bottom line of a company not a manager.

A manager only gets to enjoy the benefits (read salary, bonus & perks) of employee's hard work. If you do not respect them, DO NOT expect any respect in return.

FACT 9 - Before you set targets or up them, Work at least 2 weeks in the same position as the employee, hit those targets and achieve all the benchmarks first.

If you can't - BACK OFF.

Case in point - Maid/House help. The lady (manager) of the house cannot afford to do all duties of a maid and yet look like the lady of the house. Her only option therefore, is to hire, train and supervise a maid. If the lady turns snappy, nagging, abusive or unfair and tries to micro-manage, the maid will leave in no time.

There is never any dearth of oppurtunities for an employee. But a manager always has limited choice.

Fact 10 - Emphasize on the quality of work.

Productivity is important but not at the cost of quality. Productivity is a quick fix solution for short term profits.
Any manager who weighs productivity over quality should be shown the door.

Imagine companies like Johnson & Johnson or Dabur focusing on quantity more than quality. Will u continue using their products on your child or for your well being?

Every time a company comes out with a new product, it is usually a success if it is of good quality. Reducing the quality (reducing, increasing or keeping constant any other variable like quantity, price etc.) will invariably have an adverse effect on the market share.

Ex: Hindustan lever FMCG products.

Whether in manufacturing or banking or research & development or IT/ITES, quality is the only thing that DIFFERENTIATES a business.
Quality of your product creates your BRAND.
Quality alone will fetch consumer LOYALTY.

Apart from medicines, there is no life threatening commodity in the world for which a consumer would not wait some extra time, to receive a guaranteed quality product.

Set higher time frames for product delivery, so people order in advance. If you can deliver well in advance, good. If not, DO NOT push employees/machines to over-achieve.

Fact 11 - If you cannot stand up for your team and take a stance in front of your superiors - GO TAKE A HIKE.

You do not deserve to be a manager if you do not believe and protect your team from unneccessary pressure.

You do not deserve to be a manager if you cower down to lighter skin color.


Fact 12 - If you DO NOT HAVE GUTS - GET LOST.

DO NOT make your trusted minions do your dirty job for you.


Fact 13 - Be who you are. DO NOT PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE YOU ARE NOT.

Year after year several unworthy candidates are selected into prestigious institutes and end up bagging the best paying jobs. Being unworthy is not a sin. Not accepting it is a sin. Accept your flaws. It only makes you more human. Share in the combined intelligence of your team. Let majority decisions prevail. Help the team to help you GROW.


Fact 14 - Always be honest when dealing with team mates/subordinates (irrespective of their level of education)

Call a spade a spade. Mincing words or running around the bush won't get you very far. While giving other's their dues, DO NOT seem as if you are doing them a favor. Remember it is always vice-versa.

Educated subordinates are as well informed if not more. Always speak the truth. DO NOT believe in "if you cannot explain, confuse" theory.

If you do not know something you only have two options 1. Admit it, 2. Keep your mouth shut.

Fact 15 - Neither the boss, employee nor the consumer are always right.

Every decision is a risk you take. The only way to make sure you incur the least damage is to make sure, that the decision comes from your HEART.

Clear your mind and heart of prejudice, anger, bias and fear before taking a decision. Only then can you make the right choice.

Fact 16 - FAILING AS A MANAGER IS BETTER THAN FAILING AS A HUMAN BEING.

It is natural to fear failure. It natural to fear loss. Your worst fear should be to turn into an animal from a human.


There will always be someone who knows more about a subject than you do. Accept & appreciate the fact. That someone can also be your subordinate.

Always remember that.