Well, here are some qualities you might want to consider when hiring leaders in your organization (yes, these are beyond the standard list of questions given to every manager): -

1) Passionate about the job – Has the person shown passion on what they have done before in their career? You will know a passionate person when you meet one. Identify “positive passion” and then make sure it can be channeled correctly for your organization.

2) Forward-looking – Ask questions on how does he see his team and position in the next 3 to 5 years. The response will tell you the thought process of the candidate.

3) Lean management – The future leader should be able to manage with less people and still deliver efficiently and effectively. So, some information from previous positions on team management shall be very useful.

4) Relationship management – Has the leader demonstrated good relationship management at all levels within and outside the organization. How well is he known in the circles, LinkedIn references etc. You want a relationship builder to get things done in any organization.

5) Cultural Fit – Ask questions that will help determine if the person shall be a good cultural fit in the organization (or sometimes you want a trail blazer in your organization. Well, in either case, ask questions that are related to your company’s culture.

6) Motivational/Inspirational Leader – This is a key characteristic  as all teams need some motivation at some point or the other and finally reflect the shadow of the leader. All employees look at their leaders to imbibe their qualities, so it is essential that the leader you hire comes with a lot of positive energy and can inspire (not just use coercive power) to lead the team.

7) Change Management – We all go through changes in organizations (and even in our personal lives), and a true leader holds his ground during change. Key to any organization is change or I would say leaders that can handle change.

Share your thoughts and let me know what you’ve found important in the interviews.

Anyone who has put his feet deep enough in business domain knows that the business scenario tomorrow will be far different from what it was in the past and what it is today. The bossy leader of the past will suffocate the employees and the buddy leader of today’s time will not be able to the work done on time. The changing pace of business environment needs some more qualities. Here is a mention of what it takes to be a business leader of 21st century.

Vision- This was as true in the past as it is today or will be tomorrow. A leader needs to have the foresight to see the path ahead. The employees of future will be knowledgeable. The leader should make them participate in the process of envisioning the future of the company. This involvement will them feel connected to it and the company.

Motivational Leader - Companies say that the employees are one of the top priorities. However, only few demonstrate this. What is stated should be applied in action as well to motivate the employees. The leaders of future also need to communicate, learn together and act together to keep the team motivated.

Adaptability and Change Management – If you have got adjusted to the pace of business environment today; you would have understood that you need to pull up your socks for the dynamic changes of tomorrow. Things are going to be more and more complex as well. Hence bigger organisations would face more challenges. A leader of future organisations needs to be a change master who is more adaptable and able to manage changes.

Live and Spread Company’s mission- With the reduced distance between the leaders and the employees, a leader has to portray an image that the others can follow. He needs to live by the company’s mission and communicate the same to his team. This is the only way by which he can make the team live by the company’s mission and achieve company’s goals.

Preparing a successor- The fast changing business environment of the future will not give time to anyone to learn the things at his own pace after taking up the responsibility. The leader needs to find a suitable person and prepare him for the leadership position after he leaves. If this not done, competition will crush the company.

Invest in Me Inc. – Knowledge holds the key of the future. Hence the leader needs to be aware of what is happening in the world around him. He needs to work towards self development through the knowledge path before developing his team.

Every human institution , eventually goes through tough times.

Will it survive those times and comes out stronger depends, in large amount, on the leader of the institution.

How should leaders of the companies behave in tough times?

The answer is not simple. There are many problems to confront with.

Anger, frustration and quarell of the staff because of cutting salaries, their fear about job security,  motivation of the staff etc.

In this situations the work enthusiasm and energy of the stuff is on a very low level. They work under major pressure.

The role of the leader and his atitude in such situations becomes even more important that in good times.

How to handle those situations, how to motivate stuff and  keep their productivity ?

Here is some advice:

• It is very important for the to keep authority among the stuff.

To do this  leader should have the vision of way to get through tough times, always look for new opportunities.that arise from the problems(new trends, market needs caused by hard times etc.), raise all the occasion that shows up, and constantly search for new solutions. Reach out your customers using and intensify  marketing activities; this shows that the company is rock solid.

• Decisions should be made rationally and objective after careful consideration and preparation, and shouldn’t act impulsively.
• Extremely important is conversation with the stuff.The leader should explain them the situation. Talk to them about the vision and future plans for surviving the tough times and Include them in the process. It’s crucial for keeping the authority in the team.
• Leader has to give the hope to his stuff and convince them  that everything is not lost, that they can survive bad times, keep calm (panic will not bring the victory),  be first to sacrifice when it comes to cuts in salaries, etc., and fight for his stuff.
• To motivate the members of the team, leaders can create small wins(smaller, more achievable goals and rewards for winning the goals).
• They should try to keep the optimistic atmosphere among the stuff, and avoid being caught up in depressive thoughts.
• Only with such attitude tough times can be beaten.