“Learn to accept another person’s perspective”, said Dr. George Kohlrieser, while addressing LIBA students.
It was an illuminating and engaging experience for the students of Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai, when Dr. George Kohlrieser, an America-born clinical and organisational psychologist, author, speaker, consultant and a professor of Leadership and Organisational Behavior at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) based in Lausanne, Switzerland addressed the students on August 30. The Beyond Management Initiative club of LIBA hosted the session, which was on the topic "High-performance leadership".
Dr. Kohlrieser brought to light the importance of youth leadership and stressed on a leadership based on dialogue and bonding.
Leadership starts with leading one's self. A true leader must have control over his or her emotions and thoughts. Having been a part of over 100 hostage negotiations, Dr. Kohlrieser points out, “leadership's key challenge lies in bonding with the people you don't like”. This challenge can only be met by getting rid of a tribal mindset which keeps categorizing people as 'them' or 'us'.
The human brain is fundamentally negative. It is at peace only when it is sure that there is no fear or pain. Keeping the brain vibrant and positive is a tough task. One way of doing so is by finding a secure base. A secure base can be a person, place, goal or object that provides a sense of comfort.
“Leaders need to let go of their ego. Leading is about serving, it is a human process,” says Dr. Kohlrieser. Today's business leaders need to become a secure basis for their employees. There is a need to lead from the mind's eye, interweaving dialogue and bonding in the leadership fabric.
In his special message for India, Dr. Kohlrieser said, "Indian leaders need to be inspirational drivers of change. While there is a need for the women in India to fight for their rights and stand their ground, the men also need to learn to bond and show emotions".