Manage a committee like a directed community
Stories of Role Models
A community can be more than just the coming together of individuals when it has a goal to fulfil. This insight works wonders for committees, too. My story today is about making this magic.
I grew up all over the country, thanks to my airforce dad. We moved back to Kerala when I was in the 3rd.
I knew I was not cut out for engineering, but father went along with the guidelines of the Indian Parents Association ;) and asked me to finish my engineering before doing anything else. So I did.
In 95, the frenzy for software jobs had already started. Even mechanical engineers were slapping on programming diplomas and joining the fray.
In an ironic twist - the guy who did not want to do engineering - got into designing jigs and fixtures for an aerospace company. I especially enjoyed my time on the shop floor.
I had the itch to study more, so I joined a MBA program. My dad had started a business after moving to Kerala. I used to spend my time there, helping out and business fascinated me.
The itch to study lingered even after the MBA and brought me to IISc. to do a PhD in Organisational Behaviour.
I had an unplanned adventure while in IISc.
I got sucked into student politics and in complete filmi style even found king-maker friends. They said, ‘Find the right people, we will make it happen!’
I did good diligence in finding the right people and they won too.
I learnt a little too late the next year that backing out from politics means annihilation. I had no choice but to stand for the student council chairman. We won again.
Managing political interests in the low stake environs of an academic campus - is like learning to herd a bunch of cats. It taught me invaluable lessons on how to manage committees and directed communities later.
In very short; my recipe consisted of -
Finding the right people - who were doers and who cared for the right things
Showing them a common goal and keeping it clear for all around
Resolving conflicts early on, sometimes even before they arose, by reading the room right.
My time in IISc. also taught me that your academic pedigree also comes bundled with a cohort that stands you well in your career years. For this reason too, it is important to add at least one degree from a reputed place to your credentials.
Professionally, I had come to believe in the vast potential of Knowledge Management for transforming future organisations.
Over the next 8 years, I worked for Wipro, Unisys and DXC Technologies - all in the KM area.
Slowly and over time, the conviction grew in my mind that I wanted to evangelise KM and contribute to the growth of this subject.
Be it a committee or community. Be it my own life - I think I work best, when I am directed by a goal larger than just us.
Around 2014, we had moved to our own apartment. It was located in a complex of 1600 flats.
I kept mostly to myself, coming home tired from a long day at work and simply chilling on weekends.
My wife kept prodding me not to confine myself to our apartment and socialise more with the residents.
Thanks to her prodding, I found myself getting involved in helping the residents form an association to address their internal issues. I had a feeling that without the residents standing together, they may face a lot of difficulties.
I first identified 40 or so people who were active in resident affairs. I called each of them and invited them to be part of a committee, which I then formed.
I helped herd them together (a bunch of cats, they were too ;)) with the common idea that no one should take us for a ride.
We held elections. I, along with some of the residents, helped ensure that the right persons won. We were back on track.
Shortly thereafter, I met this elderly person in the elevator. Upon introductions, his parting comment was, ‘I thought you would be a much bigger, more muscular person’ ;)
Twelve years after I started working, I started my own KM consulting outfit.
We are consciously based out of both Singapore and Bangalore because we love the idea that the whole world is our pond. We are here to change everywhere, how people leverage KM.
Meanwhile, I do hope I can help you change how you see and manage committees and communities.