Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
DEPENDABILITY
- July 7, 2024
DEPENDABILITY
After about five years of commissioned services I was selected by Military Secretary’s Branch at Army HQ for being part of the leadership team of a New Raising battalion. These new raising are amalgamation of officers and men from already existing units and have to lay down the bonding policies, orders, organizations etc. from scratches. It is about 900 bodies gelling together to take shape, collect all equipment, weapons, ammunition vehicle and get together after lot of training and operational exercise as a Unit.
So after spending six months in The Regiment Centre, equipping, organising and training, we were declared fully operational and having completed our raising. Thereafter we were moved to a regular peace station.
After seven to eight months’ time came for our Annual Administrative Inspection which was to test our fitness for given operational role and declare us ‘Fit for War’ or otherwise. Hence it was a very crucial event for a New Raising being the first Inspection after having been raised.
I being a key staff officer to the Commanding Officer was deeply involved in preparation for a hundred different things. The weeks flew away with little sleep and things were slowly coming good shape.
On the last two nights I had little time to sleep. On the night before the inspection some sudden requirement came up and I had to stay in the Unit area throughout the night getting some defence works prepared. In the early morning the Brigade Commander passed by on his morning walk and found me still supervising the working teams. He had found me doing similar things last evening when he had come for an after dinner stroll with his wife.
It was close to start of the tests so I called for my office rig to office, took a bath and changed in office washroom and got ready for the day. The Inspection Team was fully satisfied with our readiness to undertake any operational, administrative or logistic task.
My CO whom I had met for the first time about a year back was fully aware of what had gone into preparing for the inspection. The whole team of officers were involved but my role as his immediate staff offices being the Adjutant came for his special attention. You know no two officers are selected for New Raising from same unit and hence we were all strangers to each other. Special circumstances bring out true character qualities of individuals and helps in term building.
So my Commanding Officer and the Brigade Commander thereafter trusted me and depended on me for everything that I was capable of doing at that age and service, and even for tasks and responsibilities beyond my imagination. It helped me grow in confidence, made me work even harder and educate myself to be worthy of that trust!
Imagine you’re in the thick of a critical project with a looming deadline. You entrust a pivotal task to a teammate, fully expecting it to be completed on time. However, as days turn into weeks, there’s still no progress. Frustration mounts, deadlines approach, and trust begins to erode. This scenario underscores the pivotal role of dependability in leadership.
Being a dependable leader transcends mere punctuality or task completion. It’s about embodying reliability and trustworthiness consistently, inspiring confidence through actions. It forms the cornerstone of trust, laying the groundwork for robust and fruitful team dynamics.
So, how can one nurture this indispensable leadership trait? Let’s delve into some effective strategies:
Dependability hinges on lucid communication. Whether delegating tasks or making promises, clarity is paramount. Define expectations, timelines, and resources explicitly, leaving no room for misunderstanding. Additionally, it’s crucial to set realistic commitments, avoiding overpromising and subsequent disappointment.
While words hold weight, actions resonate louder. Dependability entails honoring commitments, no matter their magnitude. Meeting deadlines, fulfilling promises, and occasionally going above and beyond exemplify reliability and foster trust within teams. Nonetheless, unforeseen circumstances may arise. In such instances, proactive communication and transparency are key to managing expectations.
Leaders serve as guiding beacons for their teams. To cultivate a culture of dependability, leaders must embody it themselves. Punctuality, consistent deadline adherence, and delivering top-notch work set the tone for the team. By holding themselves accountable, leaders inspire their teams to follow suit.
Dependability flourishes in an atmosphere of accountability. Rather than micromanagement or fear-based culture, emphasis should be on fostering ownership and collective responsibility. Empower team members, providing feedback and support to facilitate their success.
A dependable leader doesn’t shy away from accountability, be it for successes or failures. Acknowledging mistakes, offering sincere apologies, and taking corrective action exhibit integrity and fortify trust. Moreover, such transparency cultivates an environment where team members feel safe to admit faults, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The dividends of dependability extend beyond mere goodwill. A team with a dependable leader is inherently more motivated, productive, and resilient. Confidence in task completion, deadline adherence, and problem-solving engenders a robust framework for collaboration and achieving remarkable outcomes.
In essence, dependability isn’t just a virtue; it’s a catalyst for organizational success. By embodying reliability and fostering trust, leaders lay the groundwork for cohesive teamwork, innovation, and excellence.
Major General Balraj Mehta
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta