10 Management Lessons from Pakistan

10 Management Lessons from Pakistan

10 Management Lessons from Pakistan

by Ali K Chishti

Most of what we call management in Pakistan involves making it difficult for people to get their work done. These observations are based on the local environment.

1. Prioritize Passion Over Paychecks:

• Avoid hiring individuals more interested in money (e.g., those asking about salary before the job description) than the job itself. The greedy and confused will let you down and embarrass you in the future.

1. Beware of Poaching from Competition:

• Avoid hiring people from your competitors as they often switch jobs for money. If you must hire them, make sure they sign and enforce a non-compete agreement to deter others from breaking contracts.

1. Nurture New Talent for Long-term Retention:

• Train your own staff according to the job description. Experienced hires may not fit into the new workplace. Give new talent the freedom to grow and remember, you hire people to tell you what to do, not the other way around.

1. Take Ownership and Share Credit:

• As a leader, take responsibility for team failures and give credit for victories. Leadership is about sacrifice; as the head, you should sacrifice the most.

1. Overlook Minor Leakages:

• Small losses, like minor thefts by non-management staff, can be overlooked if they are taking care of valuable assets. However, know where to draw the line and ensure it is not crossed.

1. Create a Transparent Accountability Process:

• Use firings as lessons and promotions as hope. A transparent accountability process can help maintain discipline and motivation within the team.

1. Maintain Professionalism:

• Never swear or use foul language. Praise in public and reprimand in private, sparingly, and constructively. Allow failure as a key to true delegation and listen to employee feedback with an open mind.

1. Be Creative in Problem-Solving:

• Pakistan is not an ideal place to run a business, so think out-of-the-box. Never bribe in front of employees and keep personal and confidential information on a need-to-know basis.

1. Prepare to Sacrifice for the Greater Good:

• Sometimes, letting go of your best employee is necessary if they hinder team development. Sacrificing one can lead to the growth of many.

1. Dress for Success:

• Present yourself well. Like the British in India, who never allowed servants to see them dress, ensure you are remarkably dressed from head to toe when you step out. A well-dressed leader exudes confidence and commands respect.

These lessons, drawn from local management practices, can help create a more efficient and motivated workforce in Pakistan.