VasuBansal_HRLP001_MarutiManesarCase

MARUTI MANESAR - CASE ANALYSIS

Globally, India has been accepted as a manufacturing base and a safe investment destination. Acts of violence, besides physically shedding blood and shutdowns, has tarnished the image of India, especially in view of the economic slowdown. It’s the responsibility of every Indian to ensure that incidents like Maruti Suzuki Manesar plant case are not repeated in future. We have to chart out a course to maintain cordial industrial relations and also ensure that nobody takes law into his hand.

The day 18^thJuly’12 has been unimaginable for most of us. We lost a HR professional to mindless workplace violence. The profession lost a person who stood at his post and gave up his life doing his duty. It’s not only the killing of a HR professional but the killing of a union worker, the critical injuries to scores of employees - Managers and Workers at Maruti. 

 The following points could be reasons for such violence:-

• Japanese always expected productivity without considering the emotions of manpower at workplace.
• Interpersonal relations at different levels were not conducive for healthy relations.
• Salary related issues including housing & healthcare were indecisive for a prolonged time.
• Revival of trust was required at all levels.
• Organizational structure & balance needs immediate attention.
• A seven-minute tea break and abusive supervisors

The justification for the violence at work place is due to social divide. But to equate that with what happened in Maruti is insane.

There is nothing wrong in expecting discipline & productivity from workers at workplace. Senior management should enforce rules & regulations to maintain workplace discipline & productivity. At the same time, if executives deny the workers dignity and respect and also equitable wage for similar jobs done, it is equally condemnable. Employing disproportionate workforce on contract, especially when it is core to the business is always questionable. The same applies to the denial of ownership to ensure the social security benefits and leaving it to contractors who have no scruples. We also cannot justify the 100 time wage multiple between the lowest paid and the CEO. All above points doesn’t justify crime & violence by any means at a workplace.

In conclusion, there could have been possible steps which could still resolve the problem in amicable way. The industry leaders, central trade unions and the labour department officials should sit together and work out a process for a work place which is just, fair, equitable and violence -free. The steps could be as under:-

•  Rebuilding of connection between India & Maruti:- A campaign to associate Maruti’s image with that of India will foster unity amongst all employees.
• Corporate Social Responsibility campaign of Maruti:-  Maruti traditional CSR campaign that undertakes fund raising for education & healthcare of labour families, which will prevent further support for planned violence.
• Video documentation of a Day in Life of a Maruti worker:- Due to conflicting reported versions of labour conditions at Maruti, Maruti should authorize a video documentary on improved work conditions at the plant.
•  Clarity on Haryana Government Inaction on Labour laws:- Demonstrate that the work policies at Maruti Manesar were in accordance with state labour policies.

Self_Leadership - Power of Brain

Power of Brain

There are various stages of self leadership –  Power of knowing own soul , Power of Touch, Power of Listening , Power of Emotional Intelligence , Today I came across the concept of Power of Brain. Brain is the centre of the nervous system which exerts centralized control over the other organs of the body. Entire session taken by ANIL sir was an eye opener. Humans have the tendency to form vision statements using the cognitive and creative ability of their brain.

The entire process of making choices and taking decisions through cognitive part of brain follows 6 steps-:

1.       Define the frame

2.       Meaningful and reliable information

3.       Creative and Doable options

4.       Clear on criteria

5.       Trade-offs

6.       Preparation for implementation

Creativity can be defined as -:

1. Coming out with large number of new ideas
2.   Looking at same thing with different lenses
3.  Associational fluency   
4. Making familiar strange
5.  Synetics

Creativity can be measured in terms of Upbringing and Education the scale of Conservative and Libering.

These opinions formed are circumstantial based on our past low and high points and then we start holding ourselves back on creativity due to various fears and commitments.

1.       Fear of Failure

2.       Fear of Criticism

3.       Lack of Resources and time

4.       Loss of self image

5.       Starved sensibility

6.       Physical danger

We can overcome these fears with help of emotions, friends and mentors, forming a controlled environment around us, experimenting new ideas, developing ability to laugh at own and  becoming more sensitive.

Towards the end of session, I learnt about ladder of inference in which our reflexes used inferences and judgements as if they are statements of fact.

VasuBansal_HRLP001_Self Leadership_May 2012

“There is a person with whom you spend more time than any other, a person who has more influence over you, and more ability to interfere with or to support your growth than anyone else. This ever-present companion is your own self. “

First Step to be able to become effective leader of others is to become effective leader of ourselves. Each of us is fully responsible and accountable for developing ourselves as leaders. Our success is driven and managed by ourselves. Every session taught by ANIL sir on self-leadership has been an eye-opener, which gives me more n more clarity about my values, my gifts, people who are most important in my life. All these collaborated together helped me to build my vision statement. Scripting intention doesn’t fulfill the purpose, it requires commitment and action.

One more important aspect of Self-leadership, Emotional Intelligence, was unraveled by Sir. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize our own emotions - Self-Awareness, ability to control our emotions- Self-Regulation, being highly motivated- Motivation, ability to listen and understand  others - Empathy  and being able to relate to them by establishing trust - Social Skills .

Emotional intelligence is not inherited but acquired. We can develop this art by analyzing our reactions towards the people around us. We should not try to be judgmental; rather we should try to think from other’s person perspective as well. One has to become humble enough to give others a chance. On this path one often has to be evaluating herself/himself and be courageous enough to accept weakness and take responsibility of owns action. One of the major aspect in this whole process is art of Deep listening. It unanimously depends on us whether we want to be lead by our body or we want to lead our body by the art of SELF-LEADERSHIP.