I have another simple way of classifying team members based on their ability to get things done.
This is a theory by my good friend Alkesh Agarwal (and all credit to him), which I have tried to extend a little.
There are three kinds of team members:
The “Kaise hoga” type –
These are the naysayers and non believers. They will always come up with a reason why something cannot be done. Because they like to stay in their comfort zone – the known zone. They generally come up with problem statements or reasons why a given task or goal is impossible (at best ‘very difficult’) to achieve.
The “Jaise hoga” type –
These are the followers. They will keep quite, and wait for someone who drives the project, and will execute as instructed. Even if they feel it cannot be done (or can be done), they won’t speak up. They will let others ‘take the risk’ of expressing negative or positive intent.
The “Aise hoga” type –
These are the people who keep the world go around. The ones who will step up, and find new ways to get things done. They like to challenge status quo and their own abilities. Its fun for them. They may fail, but they will go.doqn fighting.
Needless to say the majority lies in “Jaise hoga” category, as it provides physiological safety.
Use this framework to identify the needle movers (the leaders), and the followers, and the drags. Don’t kill me for saying this, but let the drags go. Else they will pull down the team and the company.
Why do you need these evaluation frameworks when we have so many complex HR performance management and talent assessment tools?
Because you need simple systems to choose and encourage leaders from your daily interaction. Many successful entrepreneurs have never done MBA or started with complex HR systems. This means there are simple ‘thumb rule’ systems that let you take complex decisions, specially around people.
How do you assess talent? Do you have an interesting framework?
For my western friends:
kaise hoga = how can this be done
jaise hoga = whatever way, we will see
aise hoga = this is the way this can be done
BTW, the “jaise hoga” part is my extension. as I started applying in my team, I could not place majority of people on two clear boxes, and I saw lot of ‘silent’ people.