For all those kings with kingdoms

India, probably the one country where kings continue to outlive the kingdoms. Any sphere of life, be it business or politics or even charitable work, the kings are in control of their self made empires with many waiting to make their own.

While it would be great to see the leaders empowering the work they are assigned to do, it would be difficult to digest when the leaders try to become powerful because of the position they are given.

There are innumerable examples one can read in newspapers and experience in corporate kingdoms about the leadership cult being cultivated that even goes to the extent of changing the organisational culture.

These kind of practices erode the organisational values. Encourage people to be acolytes, forbid the candor in day today business and lead to an avalanche of financial losses in the long term.

One of the best antidote that Indian culture prescribes for this condition is to "work with detachment".

There are three simple yet powerful parts in this philosophy.

1. "what you are"

You are Mr XXXXXX not by your nature or birth but because of a position that you are given. You have occupied a particular position and never allow the position to occupy yourself.

2. You are not permanent here

Each position, title, job, work, organisation that you work are not going to employ you forever. Everything comes with a number affixed on it.

3. Your purpose

You are hired to do the work nothing else... period.

When you master these three simple principles by reminding yourself everyday and each time Mr King tries to step out of your brain, you will get cured of this condition.

What benefits you will get:

1. You can focus more on work rather than on individuals and their feelings towards you (majority of a manager's time is wasted in this)

2. Organisational culture improves when people realize that it is their work that brings them laurels than paying obeisance to the king. 

3. Helps the organisations reduce cost of leadership show off (everyone knows how much money is wasted in this area.)

Organisations exist to make profit. Positions exist to make organisations achieve their bottom lines. If people are clear about these two lines, then organisations will be always in the headlines for good reasons.

WANT TO PLAY SAFE?

When I was a kid, independence day is all about flag, salute, chocolates, holiday and fun.

Now it's no more such simple affair.

"Freedom sale" declares the full page advertisement in the news paper. Hundreds of offers to choose from each ranging from 30% to 70% off from Amazon.

Two days pass by, yet another full page advertisement, with even more attractive offers appear.

The times have changed so much, from being retailing platforms the e sellers have become avenues for offers.

Even many of the local shops seem to be forced to go with the flow and are offering many such unbelievable schemes.

Though these purchases may not create a dent in your finances, it would be disastrous to be offer minded when it comes to financial products.

Be it real estate or insurance or stock trading products or mutual funds and innumerable investment schemes that grace the hoardings across the cities.

Each scheme seems to be made for you and for your family. Each sales presentation looks as if the company understood your precise needs even before they met you.

Many of the companies use complex yet attractive software that creates solutions to all your future needs with just a click.

And majority of the schemes, plans and associated benefits astonishingly seem to have a very short life, and force you to take a decision at that moment else they seem to vanish into thin air.

In a country where literacy is seen as a tool to earn, seldom people spend time on financial literacy.

This is not an effort to OFFER FINANCIAL LITERACY IN ONE PAGE.

But there are two simple rules that one can follow to play safe.

There are two well known basic tendencies that dominate the decision making process of any individual.

THE GREED & FEAR

Most of the corporate marketing strategies revolve around these two factors while designing their marketing campaigns.

Each time a product is presented to you, check if looks too attractive to believe or it looks as if "can't live without this"

Though there will be certain degree of hype in any product, but a product that is too attractive needs more time and research for you to buy

Also understand there are no lightning deals in financial world that you may miss adding to the cart before it is hundred percent claimed.

"Bought by your neighbor" offers no guarantee for it's suitability to your needs.

If you can remember these simple rules probably you will play safe.