Technology is the only driver that can take us out of this grave scenario : GK Pillai, Director and Advisor, Walchandnagar Ind. Ltd.

Ranchi, Jharkhand | June | 08, 2020.:: TEDxKanke organized a Webinar Series with the title Leadership Challenges and behaviour in the midst of Disruptive scenarios, The Speaker of the programme was GK Pillai, Director and Advisor, Walchandnagar Ind. Ltd.
Moderated By: Rajeev Gupta, Curator, TEDxKanke

On his view on leadership

• COVID is affecting all of the aspects of human life – relations, finances, economy, travels. I will not talk about the disruption due to COVID because we have reached a saturation point with the information on COVID.
• Four major disturbances – technology, macroeconomy, financial, human resources – that most of the organizations face at some point. Depends on leader’s ability to handle these disruptions to see that their organizations stay afloat.
• Regardless of the disturbances, there are two ideas that are essential for any leaders to succeed – bend the rules and have one goal in sight.
• When leaders accept challenges at the top, it passes down to other members who are motivated to step up. Leaders have to be ready to break barriers.
• It is essential to have one singular goal in mind. In my case, this goal has been making my company profitable. Without a goal, it is very difficult to push and motivate people towards a larger objective.

On his experience of leadership in practice

• Changing mindset of the company was required. At HEC we did not have a lot of money when I started. Having a different thought process is vital. This thought process is required to achieve that one goal (making my company profitable in my case).
• When the company lacked money, I restricted from spending money on management consultants. I invited philosophical leaders from Chinmay mission etc. who could help the employees explore the philosophies of managing life.
• We invited the wives of our employees to these conversations and persuaded them to push their spouses to work harder and enhance the work culture at the company – with things as simple as boosting attendance.
• Japan govt. has conducted a survey to find out the top 5 countries in 2060 which ranks India as third. The emphasis of this study lies in the importance of youngsters of today who will be leaders of tomorrow, who will take their country forward. Therefore, leadership is an essential quality to inculcate in our youth.
• There is hardly any Master of Leadership, unlike PGDMs and MBAs. Leadership is inculcated, and rarely people are born as leaders. It is imperative to prepare our youth with these qualities.

On role of leadership during the current crisis

• In uncertain times, it is essential for the leadership to have one goal. In our case, the goal was – a lower number of deaths. The next importance has to be given to economic revival.
• We saw a different goal in case of USA where the President focused on economy over the number of deaths.
• In a situation like this, political thinking should be let gone. This is time for national thinking. Stability on economy is important and there is need for a uniform agreement amongst all the stakeholders in the country.
• We will have to plan a proper timeframe for coming out of this crisis, but showing unity is vital even when the average lifestyle will change.

On the setback to the industry, industry 4.0 and deficit of finances and aspirations in people

• Technology is the only driver that can take us out of this grave scenario. We have seen how technology enabled people to work and operate virtually.

• Industry 4.0 will take a push and automation will become more important across organizations. In hindsight, we can see the country becoming stronger with regards to automation and technology.
• Before COVID, larger states welcomed migrant laborers which boosted the economy of states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. This pandemic has changed this dynamic and there is an opportunity for home states to provide crucial job opportunities to these migrant laborers.
• If jobs and skills are made available in home states (Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha for instance), local regions will become more self-sufficient and keep the people home.
• Agriculture and agricultural products will improve in the states as we have experience during the crisis.

Audience Questions:

What steps should we take at government and corporate level to move industries to home states for providing jobs where our labors are?
By Mr Manoj Gupta,
• We should have a focus on creating smart villages. 5000 smart villages are more attractive than 100 smart cities.

• Inwards migration of highly skilled and talented people to villages could become a norm. With people working from home, there will be lot of migration to villages to have an easier and healthier life.

• At policy level, internet connectivity and basic infrastructure development is required for people to have quality lives in the villages and in smaller towns that can help contain outwards migration.

Leadership is about enabling teams to achieve collaborative results. In this new situation, when everyone is trying to perform as a leader, what change do you see coming for leaders?
By Mr Amitesh Anand, Co-Founder Jharkhand Open Coffee Club

• The trust quotient is increasing manifold with allowing people to work from home. The trust between leaders and employees has to strengthen.
• In the new era, the leader will have to lead by example. Today, command and dictating will not work when everyone is keen on taking responsibility themselves.

The session saw audience from diverse locations both India and abroad and from different backgrounds. Alumni’s of BITS Pilani Mr. SK Mudhra (Jaipur), DK Shah (Mumbai), Mr. Javid Valiulla (Kuwait), Mr. MS Chahal (Canada), Mr. Radhika Sareen (Delhi), Mr. SS Somani (Mumbai), Mr. S Mohan (Bangalore), Mr. Vijay Gulecha (Kodaikanal), Mr. Amar Tigga, Director XISS, Mr. Pankaj Prasad- Joint Commissioner GST, Govt Of Bihar, were among some of the participants who had joined the session.
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