It is not often you get to meet CEO's when you are a recruitment professional... today, i was fortunate to meet a CEO of a large recruitment company and the meeting through so many valuable insights into managing people and companies..... and one quality which stood out tall in this meeting was.... be present in any discussion and engage 110%... treat that as a unique learning session, irrespective of with whom the meeting is....
....i was by all means an ordinary recruiter and he, the very successful Indian CEO of a leading global recruitment firm. He took time off to meet me for a good 2 hours - this is such a rarity in today's' world of recruitment professionals who are so busy to take your call, to acknowledge receiving your profile by mail, and have only time to say that they are busy... when we all do that, what we imply is that the other person who calls, writes a mail, meets us.. is not important in our scheme of things - there can be no better statement of our commitment to people, leave alone grooming their careers and growth!! Here is a CEO who probably has the most hectic schedule and yet takes time off to meet someone who is a fellow professional albeit at a junior level. His discussion is centered on all positives, and his eyes sparkle with the vision he has for the company, and the passion with which he is involved with the other person (in this case, me).
Moral : Be passionate about meeting people, and when you are with them, be completely engaged in the discussion, common interests, and take it as a learning experience. Not once did the CEO I met take a call or get distracted in the course of the two hour session. He was completely present in the NOW.... such a contrast to many growing professionals including me, who are always busy, and not being present fully in any meeting or one on one. I decided that i will engage better in any discussion today on.... Treat each meeting or human encounter as a learning opportunity....
That indeed is LEADERSHIP.... by the day!! Is it not?!
