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SAUDI HARMONY 2012 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss A Concept Note Upendra Kartik Peri 75201, Riyadh, 11578, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

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This document is essentially created to understand the different behaviours of Indian Bosses in different situations. There are thousands of international corporations operating in India and more than a million Indian expats working around the world in managerial positions. Sooner or later, there can be a situation where you start reporting to one. So, it is important to understand “Do’s and Don’ts” with your Indian Boss. This document helps you to understand the key cultural and behavioural aspects of typical Indian Bosses.

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Page 1: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

SAUDI HARMONY

2012

6 Ways to Manage Your

Indian Boss

A Concept Note

Upendra Kartik Peri

75201, Riyadh, 11578, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Page 2: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Contents

1. Why this document ............................................................................................ 3

2. Why Indian Boss are Different ........................................................................... 4

3. The 6 Ways ........................................................................................................ 6

3.1 Indian Boss Loves Hierarchy ............................................................................ 7

3.2 Ask About Family ............................................................................................ 8

3.3 Greet during Festivals ................................................................................... 10

3.4 Never Hit on Face ......................................................................................... 11

3.5 Say, “I am sorry” ........................................................................................... 13

3.6 Have Casual Meetings ................................................................................... 15

4. Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 16

5. About the Author ............................................................................................. 17

6. References ....................................................................................................... 18

Page 3: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

This document is essentially

created to understand the

different behaviours of Indian

Bosses in different situations.

There are thousands of international corporations

operating in India and more than a million Indian

expats working around the world in managerial

positions.

Sooner or later, there can be a situation where you

start reporting to one. So, it is important to understand

“Do’s and Don’ts” with your Indian Boss.

This document helps you to

understand the key cultural

and behavioural aspects of

typical Indian Bosses.

This document is based on experiences of the Author

and not to criticise, separate or hurt any feeling,

beliefs or facts. Any contradictions with the opinions

expressed in this document are not entertained.

1. Why this document

1000+ international

corporations

operating in India

and more than a

million Indian expats

working around the

world in managerial

positions

Page 4: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Indian Bosses are different

because they come from a

much diversified place, like

India. It is a diversified

country with many cultures,

languages, religions and

climatic conditions.

Some basic facts about India:

Political Diversity

It is a sub continent with 28 states and 6 union

territories.

Linguistic Diversity

There are 1,652 different languages.

Cultural Diversity

There are 18 cultures like Punjabi, Marathi,

Tamil, Telugu, Karnataka, Gujarati, Rajasthani

and so on.

There are more than 100 festivals that a typical

Indian celebrates.

It is land for Hinduism, Christianity, Islam,

Jainism, Sikhism and many more religions.

Geographical Diversity

India is geographically much diversified. There

are cold Himalayan Mountains, Rajasthani

Deserts, 100+ Rivers, plateaus and plains.

There are world’s highest rainfall and no rainfall

areas. So, India is a diversified place.

2. Why Indian Boss are Different

Indian Bosses are

different as India is

diversified. It is

diversified in

languages, cultures,

festivals, Gods, food

habits and climatic

conditions. So, don’t

treat all your Indian

Bosses same way.

Page 5: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Yes, don’t expect all Indian

Bosses to be same. They

speak different languages,

celebrate different festivals,

live differently and even eat

differently. Using same tricks

on everyone may bounce back.

Gather basic information

about your Boss like

which part of India he

belongs to (North or

South), which language he

speaks, which religion he belongs to, how many

members in his family, who are they etc., and then

start moving your pawns. Now you are ready to learn

the DO’s and DON’Ts with Indian Bosses.

Know your Boss

whereabouts. That is

the first step for a

better relationship

between you and

your Indian Boss.

Page 6: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

There are six ways proposed

in this document to manage

your Indian Boss effectively.

These methods are tested

and successfully proved with

many Indian Bosses.

You may ask me why am I so confident about these

techniques or DO’s and DON’Ts. As I am one such

Indian Boss and over a decade I worked under 20+ such

Indian Bosses.

The below explained 6 ways can be your first step to

establish a great relationship between you and your

Indian Boss.

This can result in many positive changes in your career

like a Promotion or increment in your pay during the

next cycle, or spotlight focus in your department or in

organization.

3. The 6 Ways

Know your Boss

whereabouts. That is

the first step for a

better relationship

between you and

your Indian Boss.

The 6 ways to

manage your Indian

Boss:

1. Indian Bosses

love hierarchy

2. Ask about

family

3. Greet during

festivals

4. Never hit on

face

5. Say “I am sorry”

6. Have casual

meetings

Page 7: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Indian Bosses seriously love

Hierarchy; it is in the blood

and gene. You can’t change

it. Starting from the ancient

ages of Maharaja’s it was

followed orthodoxly. The system is simple, King make

rules and people follow.

The legacy continued by Moghals and British. They

made rules that were honoured by followers and by

people. So never directly interact with your Super

Boss or Skip-level Boss without the notice of your

Boss. Typical Indian Boss never likes it. Even he says it

is Okay for him don’t do it.

Inform your Indian Boss even you are late by 10

minutes to work or you want to leave office early. This

creates trust on you.

They like OBEDIENT

subordinates. So when ever

your Boss proposes a

concept don’t argue with

him immediately. If you have a better ideas propose

them during a casual coffee meet. Make him feel that

you are serving his idea in a new bottle.

Do call your Indian Boss “SIR”. He may say he doesn’t

like it or it is against company culture. But ask me, he

loves it. Call him “Sir” whenever possible outside the

company or office time for better results.

3.1 Indian Boss Loves Hierarchy

Hierarchy is the key

to an Indian Boss;

never miss (or mess

with) it.

Page 8: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Indians love to speak about

their family. They love to

speak about their kids and

their achievements, their

parent’s health and so on.

So Indian Bosses also love the same. During a casual chat

with your Indian Boss try to find about his kids, spouse

and parents. This will help to interact with him quickly.

Speak to him during lunchtime, tea break, smoke break,

in elevator or in parking about his family.

(Note: Exceptions are possible especially with Indian expats

settle abroad for a long time. They may be highly reluctant

speaking about their family.)

Find his expressions and emotions while you are speaking

to him regarding the particular family member. If he

excited speaking about someone that is his “HOT

BUTTON”. Speak about him/her as much as possible.

If he is interested speaking about his 9 year old Daughter

or Son, you can try the following questions:

How is her dance class going?

How well she did her project report?

Have he got his favourite play stuff?

How did he do in school baseball or cricket

match?

3.2 Ask About Family

Family is the most

important part of

your Indian Boss. Be

nice to his family so

he can be nice to

you.

Page 9: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

If your Indian Boss is interested speaking about his

parents, you can try the following questions:

How the operation did go?

How is his mother’s health?

Is his father walking fine now?

Your Indian Boss may even like if you gifting play stuff

during the occasions like his child’s birthday. Or pay a

visit to his parent(s) when in hospital.

Speaking about your

Indian Boss kids or

asking about his

parents health may

be the hot button.

90% of the Indian

Bosses’ community

likes it.

Page 10: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Do remember Indians celebrate about

100 festivals in a year that come in all

seasons. These festivals or occasions

change according to the region and

religion of your Indian Boss.

As hinted in earlier pages it is important to know to

which part of India your Indian Boss belongs. If he is

travelling back to visit his family to celebrate a festival,

call and wish him during that time. This surely

strengthens the relationship between your Indian Boss

and you.

If he is celebrating festival or

any other occasions try

visiting his home with family

(preferably with spouse).

Plan the home visit only after due intimation of time

and availability. Try to know more about the occasion

or Google it for better understanding so that you don’t

mess up after calling or going there.

Sweets play an important role in

all Indian occasions and festivals.

Once you are aware of the

occasion try carrying sweets that

match the occasion. With careful

planning, little study you become the Blue-eyed boy of

your Indian Boss.

3.3 Greet during Festivals

Festivals are a part

of Indian lifestyle. So

greet your Indian

Boss during relevant

festivals without fail.

Page 11: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Indian Bosses are very

reluctant to a direct

attack. During official

meetings, conferences or

gathering NEVER argue or

criticize your Indian Boss. Indian Bosses seldom

bounce back on you but they will surely wait for an

opportunity.

If you don’t accept with his opinion approach him

during Coffee or Lunch break and explain him your

view in a polite and gentle way making him feel that

you are actually not arguing his point but showing the

new dimension of it.

Never do the gestures that show

that your Indian Boss is wrong.

These can ruin your career in the

organization. There are some

gestures mentioned for your

reference:

Looking at the watch when he is late to the

meeting.

Correcting the spellings in the mails CC to all.

Laughing during his presentation when the

situation is actually serious.

Correcting his sentences for grammar in public

3.4 Never Hit on Face

If you want to see

the worst villains off

screen go ahead and

hit your Indian Boss

on the face.

Page 12: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

At the same time please keep

in mind always assist him in

identifying the “0” that

missed in the calculation that

made 10 million just a million. Or the mail sent by

him to client with a wrong or no attachment. These

activities will surely improve the bonding between

you and your Boss.

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A small help to your

Indian Boss will

surely increase your

positive image.

Page 13: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

I know it’s very difficult for

most of the educated

population to say “I am

Sorry”. But you have to say it

to please your Indian Boss

and to get the control over

the situation. Actually this 3 word sentence is so

powerful that will let your Indian Boss manage the

situation for you.

No one is a Super Human so we do mistakes. Some

mistakes are easily correctable at your level within

given time and resources. But some mistakes cost

both money and reputation to your organization.

These are out of your range and reach. During such

situations you require help from your Indian Boss.

Some situations you require help from your Boss are:

Missing the project deadlines.

Unintentional miscommunication to vendor

creating excess inventory.

Not sending the monthly report as decided.

Unintentional miscommunication to client

3.5 Say, “I am sorry”

3 small words

together can resolve

big problems.

Leaving hardest part

of us “Ego” is the

most difficult thing.

But it is Okay to

leave it when you

can be saved.

Page 14: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Approach him with

detailed situation analysis

and tell him the actual

story. If any mistake from

your side that made this

situation - say “I AM SORRY”.

Indian Bosses love to hear this statement from you.

Now ask him to get you out of this situation. Here

propose alternatives to him that will resolve this

issue. Make him feel that these are his ides. This will

surely help to get out from the situation.

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Don’t be sorry for

everything. This may

sometimes work

reverse for you.

Page 15: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Indian Bosses like casual

talks. So try to meet them

during coffee break, lunch

time or a smoke break.

Speak to them regarding

the topic of their interest. These can be very casual

talks like the best coffee shop near your office or a

very serious discussion about the world terrorism.

Just entertain him with the topic of his interest. A

genuine interest in his views can help to build a great

relationship.

The below mentioned are some topics that can work

for you:

It may be about a movie released that week.

Today’s traffic jam.

Yesterday’s football or cricket match.

Local or international politics etc.,

Invitation to your Indian Boss

with his family on your

birthday or your child’s

birthday party (non-alcoholic,

preferred) at your home can

increase this rapport.

Remember, don’t invite everyone. Only 2 – 3 selected

families from your office will create a better impact.

3.6 Have Casual Meetings

Casual meetings

increase rapport,

helps you to

understand your

Indian Boss from

Outside- In.

Page 16: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

So the conclusion is simple,

try to understand before to

be understood.

Try to understand the differences in your Indian

Bosses’ culture and lifestyle. This will help you to react

to the situation better and lessen the friction; lesser

the friction lesser the problems with your Indian Boss.

Lesser the problems with your

Indian Boss higher the outputs like

bonuses, perks, quarterly or yearly

increments and promotion.

Hope this document helps to understand the unspoken

requirements of your Indian Boss and create a better

relationship.

4. Conclusion

The conclusion is

simple.. Like all

authors after

teaching all the traits

I will not say be true

to self or act

naturally. Traits are

important to

establish self in this

competitive world.

So let’s be it.

Page 17: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

Upendra Kartik is the CEO of SAUDI

HARMONY, which he founded in

2010. Since then, he has grown SAUDI

HARMONY into an internationally

recognized and highly respected firm that’s served

client companies through its network of offices 5

countries. As a highly regarded public speaker, Kartik

shares his experience and ideas around the world on a

regular basis.

As CEO, Kartik drives SAUDI HARMONY’s strategic

direction with a focus on continuously improving

existing offerings. Recently, he’s turned his attention

to developing frameworks and approaches for solving

critical organizational problems.

He also co-authored of Return on Investment on Lean

article that has received highest internet search in the

Lean and Six Sigma International Board Community.

5. About the Author

Career Highlights:

Chief Executive

Officer of SAUDI

HARMONY

Lean and Six

Sigma

International

Board, Middle

East Evangelist

Highly regarded

mentor, coach

and public

speaker

Experienced

Lean Six Sigma

Master Black

Belt

Youngest

Entrepreneur

Award Winner

Masters in

International

Business

Page 18: 6 Ways to Manage Your Indian Boss

The reference websites used for the data collection are

mentioned below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India

http://festivals.igiftstoindia.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Hindu_festivals

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_India

http://www.indianroyaltour.com/indian-

geography.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_religions

http://adaniel.tripod.com/religions.htm

6. References

Most of the

references are

through author’s

personal experiences

and from

Google(eswar).