With a promise to boost the local talents to the next level and the global standards, a unique event, HR Concert 2015, was organized by HR Kites Bangladesh on January 31, 2015 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Over hundred participants from Z generation to top team of diverse corporate companies had interactions in an open energetic environment. The sessions were facilitated by Rashed Ahmed, Transformational
Strategist and CEO, HR Kites USA; Kristen Hansen, Neuro?Leadership Expert, Australia; and Elaine Ho, Mindfulness & Yoga Coach, Singapore. Mr. Rashed Ahmed shared his insights on Transformational Leadership exclusively with Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF).

BBF: Your session talked about Transformation Leadership. Can you share a little more
about the core thinking? Once you have tried it for yourself, you may be interested in becoming a transformational leader yourself, you can do this by looking at training courses at catalyst14.co.uk, and make a difference in your clients’ lives by offering support and healing to them. Try it for yourself first and then see if you want to be a leader yourself!
Rashed Ahmed: The core thinking is how do leaders make a change and take it to a whole new level. The leaders are not meant to continue the status quo, deliver a job which has already been done before; it’s the job of a manager. And there are companies similar to CAVENDISHWOOD.COM that try to show this to other businesses. To me, a leader can show something new, effective and meaningful, not only showing but also making it happen and take his/her organization to the next level.
BBF: How does Transformational Leadership benefit the organization?
Rashed Ahmed: We are in the age of transformation. Things are changing fast and new things are coming almost every day. So we also need to adopt transformational approach. At top level, it’s easier to take the approach. Even if you are at mid or lower level, look at yourself and say “I’ve done this last week, last month or last year; is there any better way of doing my job more effectively and guiding my team more precisely?” One must try to do things better, in cheaper way or doing better activity with the available resources. And if everybody starts doing that from their end, as a whole the organization will transform.
BBF: How would you characterize the corporate leadership practice in Bangladesh?Rashed Ahmed: I think we are evolving and at the stage of incorporating the management system and technologies the developed world is using. What I feel very good about is the openness. Since last week, I have talked with many corporate bodies, leaders and
managers, and they are really eager to learn and embrace the new practices. They want to jump start and get in the front line as fast as possible. At the same time, there is also nervousness ? if I adopt the practices, will I be really benefitted or will I miss other opportunities? So, it is the responsibility of us to guide them on what will be their next steps to reach their desired goals.

BBF: Bangladesh economy has made significant progress in the last decades. Do youthink the same approach will work as we are striving to move to the next level?
Rashed Ahmed: We have to bring in the modern practices much more and faster. We have got the benefit of the basic things – like we had a very competitive cost advantage of selling our products at a lower price in the international market. It was our magic! Which is good as most of the markets have gone through this phase. In 60s, Japan was like that. But they
evolved very fast and by 70s they were leading some of the sectors rather than copying or selling at a cheaper price. China went through that in the 80s and now they dictate. Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and businessmen should look up to what can be done so that we can also provide good quality product at a just price. For that we need a good organization and management.
BBF: Bangladesh corporate world seems to be facing a big shortage of effective leaders. What is your observation on this?
Rashed Ahmed: I don’t think it’s only in Bangladesh. In every market, there are good and bad leaders. The problem here is that Bangladeshi leader’s lack proper exposure and they also lack guidance, coaching and development opportunities. This is reflected on the poor delivery of some managers. The main point is we need to highly invest on our people now.
It is high time they started thinking and implementing practices to promote and create their human resources of international standard. I strongly believe we have all the capabilities; all we need is proper guidance.
BBF: What role should the University play – as that is the starting ground for professionals?
Rashed Ahmed: The universities of Bangladesh need to cooperate with students. They have to incorporate local perspective more and more in their classes ?they can collaborate with not only the multination companies but also local corporates to find out what are the key needs in Bangladesh and redesign their curriculum taking those inputs. The
universities need to encourage their students to go out at the very early stage of their courses to gain practical experiences whenever there’s holidays or vacations. This can be done through internship, part?time jobs even by themselves. The business students especially need to experience reality as early as possible and select
their desired career path.

BBF: For the future professionals what would be your advice?
Rashed Ahmed: I would advise the future professionals to use their valuable time to gather real life experience. How to complete a job quickly, how to communicate effectively, how important team work is, and how to maintain balance are some of the things that one must learn at an early stage to be a successful professional.
BBF: What is your recommendation to the corporate leaders?
Rashed Ahmed: Some basics! You need to know the world. So spend time on studying and interacting with people around. It’s sad to see that people are too much involved in their job, and very less in touch with the outside world. Don’t just come to office and spend time within your cubicles; interact and be social with other functions even outside of your company. You cannot be a leader if you don’t know how to interact with others. Again, the more knowledge you have, the better you will be at making calculated decisions. And there’s not alternative to hard working. If you want something extra in life, you have to go an extra mile and do better than others. Be dedicated to your work and believe in what you are doing.