Getting old is not a problem (11)

Creating Leaders: A Case Study of Innovative Leadership Development

Leaders should focus on creating new leaders, rather than just managing followers. This article will share the experience of a group of companies that have successfully implemented an innovative approach to leadership development.

The company’s first priority was to eliminate the traditional “One Man Show” mentality and help employees grow by providing new and challenging tasks, learning opportunities, and full support. To achieve this, the company took several steps, this article will outline a few of the leadership development initiatives they implemented:

  1. The company encouraged department leaders and managers to cultivate their second and third tiers of leadership. The goal was to eliminate the traditional “One-Man Show” approach.
  2. The Human Resources Division added a clause to their policy that every employee must complete at least 40 hours of learning each year. The company established partnerships with universities and institutes for learning opportunities, and also provided access to online learning resources through partnerships with online portals. This helped employees improve their knowledge and skills, leading to improved performance at work.
  3. Leaders were instructed to properly delegate tasks and evaluate performance in order to nurture leadership qualities.
  4. The company introduced an Office Management System, where employees were required to input daily and monthly task reports, as well as project completion reports. The intention was to manage the system, not the people, to increase bonding between employees.
  5. Employees were encouraged to present their ideas for revenue generation through the Office Management System, complete with resource planning and mobilization plans, and a team and focal person for implementation. This policy helped employees present their ideas in a structured manner, reducing the possibility of failure.
  6. The company adopted a Hybrid Management Structure, with both top-down hierarchy and bottom-up approaches, allowing for early identification and resolution of critical issues.

Initially, these innovative leadership development strategies faced criticism from some employees, however, a few optimistic leaders embraced the changes and reaped the rewards. Within two years, the company discovered numerous emerging leaders and launched multiple new offerings, services, and systems. The employee retention improved, customer satisfaction grew, and the company’s annual revenue saw a boost of 40%. Most significantly, work was fairly distributed among all staff and the “One Person Show” mentality was completely eradicated.

Creating new leaders is crucial for the growth and success of any organization. By providing learning opportunities, implementing effective management systems, and encouraging employees to take the initiative, organizations can develop a strong and dynamic leadership pipeline.

 

Author: K M Hasan Ripon, Executive Director, BSDI

Getting old is not a problem (10)

From Scratch to Modernity: The Rise of the Daffodil Smart City

The 10th Convocation of Daffodil International University is set to take place in 24 hours, with the campus in a festive mood and ready to welcome its graduating students, their guardians, and guests. Nearly 13,000 students will attend the event in the Green Campus. I recently came across a video from a previous foundation ceremony back in 2010 and was struck by a speech in which it was announced that, in just 10 years, the students would see the transformation from a Redbrick empty field to a modern green campus, and it would be a great example to the world. Addressing the Graduating Students, Dr. Md Sabur Khan, the visionary leader during the time mentioned in his speech “ I assure you that the Red Empty Brick Field you are visiting today will become a world-class Green campus”.  At the time, many people, including myself, couldn’t believe it but today Daffodil International University has proven that it was not an unrealistic promise, but today it’s a  reality.

 

 

The transformation of Daffodil International University is a testament to the power of a leader’s vision to change an entire community and society. The present campus is unrecognizable compared to its appearance 12 years ago, and visitors are always in awe of its modern infrastructure, including the presence of all necessary facilities, transportation, sports zone, academic institutions, entertainment facilities, and a thriving business community. The words and commitment made a decade ago have come to life and have not only transformed the campus but have also transformed the surrounding society. 

The local residents, who used to rely on mostly daily wage earners for their livelihood, have now shifted to business, as 85% of the people are now engaged in the business community. The mindset of the community has changed, and people are now more focused on education and business. Based on its placement, the roads, citizen services, infrastructure, and architectural view of the place the lifestyle, mindset, and culture have been changed, the local community also got the blessings of many modern New shopping centers, financial institutions, medical centers, largest libraries, research centers, Gymnasium, child care center, libraries, auditoriums, swimming pools, and sports facilities have been established, making this transformation a model for others to follow. Apart from the development issues, focusing on the Daffodil International University many national & international institutions, associations, and personalities, visited this locality and through their visit, new development issues are coming forward before the local government too. 

 

 

The transformation of Ashulia Center has given the country a new vibe, and Daffodil International University’s transformation over the past 22 years has been recognized and appreciated by others.

Tomorrow, 9th February 2023, around 6,000 students will gather for the convocation ceremony, and another 50,000+ alumni worldwide are ready to welcome them.

If more examples like Akrain, and Ashulia can be set, from a “Scratch to Smart City,” Bangladesh can soon be declared a “Smart Bangladesh.”

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Author

Amena Hasan, Deputy Director, Daffodil International University

Getting old is not a problem (8)

How Bangladesh Made ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ its National Motto

K M Hasan Ripon, a well-known skill activist and changemaker, launched a campaign in 2019 with a tagline that has now become well-known in Bangladesh. The campaign’s motivation was the tagline “Practice Makes Perfect,” which connected with individuals from every phase of life. The motto in Bengali was “অনুশীলনে সবই সম্ভব” which translates to “Practice Makes Perfect” in English.

Mr. Ripon traveled to more than 50 districts in Bangladesh, 7 countries across the globe, and over 136 institutions, including public and private universities, polytechnics, general colleges, youth groups, and corporations, throughout the campaign. This allowed him to interact with approximately 62,000 individuals directly and indirectly, reaching about 28 million people via social media networks.

 

 

Non-resident Bangladeshis who work in various locations across the world also backed the campaign and slogan, broadening its reach and influence. Mr. Ripon is often asked to use the phrase “অনুশীলনে সবই সম্ভব” with the audience in his unique way whenever he travels for a seminar, workshop, or public speaking event.

The goal of this campaign was to promote positive feelings in individuals and spread confidence across the nation. Mr. Ripon’s tagline, “Practice Makes Perfect,” requests individuals to work hard and always better one another, creating a can-do attitude and an ambition for excellence. The campaign’s influence may be observed in people’s enhanced happiness and motivation throughout Bangladesh.

In Bangladesh, K M Hasan Ripon’s campaign and phrase “Practice Makes Perfect (অনুশীলনে সবই সম্ভব)” have become symbols of happiness and encouragement. The campaign’s influence is still being felt, pushing individuals to strive for greatness and attain their best potential.