DRIVING in Traffic – A unique managerial Assessment tool
Yes folks you read it right !!!!!!
DRIVING in traffic – as a Managerial Assessment tool
Like you I was zapped when I heard it first – from a young brilliant lady HR professional
– who we had placed as Head HR Shared services APAC with a multi billion dollar MNC
– and who in 2 years rose to Head HR for APAC
She is a premium MBA – with over 10 years exp in companies like GE – and now over 5 years in the multi billion dollar – mnc engineering conglomerate
A consummate professional who is is exposed to International best practices
Thus I had to sit up & take notice
Was she joking ????
NO sir – she was DEAD SERIOUS – and actually practiced what she was preaching( of course in addition to other established tools )
At an appropriate stage – she asked the potential senior management hiree / employee
– to take her to a destination ( another office etc) – through a route she knew would be FULL OF TRAFFIC
And she observed the person as he/she navigated the traffic
And she explained why this works / what she looks for ????
When you drive in the midst of heavy traffic
- You are fully focussed on driving / the traffic – and thus not on guard / or realize that this is actually a test of your managerial abilities / competencies
- You are under stress – and you either get stressed / upset/ curse / yell etc – or remain cool & calm ( ability to handle stress / stressful situations)
- You have to take split second decisions – as you navigate through heavy traffic ( decisiveness)
- To thread thru traffic – you plan / strategize – change lanes in advance / nudge your way through to get ahead / in your desired path ( planning / strategizing ) – do you make abrupt shifts or slowly steadily nudge your way –one step at a time in a determined sequential manner to reach your lane / position
- Do you push your way through at all costs – getting upset when things don’t go your way or give way where required – but wait for your opportunity to calmly but surely forge ahead – planning / organizing – strategizing + drive & determination.
