The lecture was a part of the ongoing Leadership Lecture Series organized by Centre for Social and Organizational Leadership (C SOL), an initiative by Mr. P Vijay Kumar (Assistant Professor & Faculty -TISS) in association with the HRM&LR; forum.

Karen began acknowledging that though leadership management and technical skills are necessary in any turn of life, it’s the Relational Leadership (RL) deficit which is plaguing organizations and groups alike. RL is all about how an individual is attuned to and abreast with the intra and inter personal relationship, what perception people have of each other and what is the impact of such an association. Peppering her recite with numerous quotes, experiences and imagery, this one was worth it:

“We are measured not by what we are but by the perception of what we seem to be…

Not by what we say but what we are heard….

Not by what we do but how we appear to do it.”

Karen said that perception is more of assumptions and generalizations that people develop over the years. Whenever two people meet there are actually six people involved in the whole process. The individuals as they feel about themselves. The individual as the other perceives them to be and finally the individuals who they really are. She emphasized the importance of a good feedback which is pertinent for self awareness and hence development. She spoke about the best practices which CCL follows and consults organizations.

Karen then went on to speak about the six keystones of Relational Leadership. Number one is to dominate with humility and delegating work which is worthy so that the people feel challenged. Second is to hire good people thus eliminating the chances of deadwood. Third is to build and maintain relationships. Fourth is good, solid and transparent communication. Fifth is conflict management and last but not the least and perhaps the most important of them all – manage change in others. She spoke that how different people perceive change differently and therefore one need to either show a Purpose or a Picture or a Plan or a Part (Stake) to make the change look “happening.”

The audience was a rich spread from campuses to corporate. The tempo was high throughout as Karen through her oratory skills charmed the assembly by mixing sense with simplicity and smiley. Open house followed soon after and Karen was equally forthcoming to stitch some niggling doubts and ambiguity. The forum thus had a rich takeaway – “Ways to understand manage and involve people better.”