Lessons on Leadership 01

My first employment was with the HCL Group. I had joined them as a Sales person. It was around 1995, when the Group Chairman Mr. Shiv Nadar wanted to conduct a Leadership summit at Delhi wherein he wanted to invite his contemporaries across industries throughout India. A first of its kind meeting where all leading industrialists were to be present. 

Shiv Nadar wanted the invites to be physically handed over to the Chairperson & Managing Directors of Companies all over India. I was selected for this prestigious task for the Chennai region. My role was to visit all the leading companies in Chennai, personally meet the top notch industrialists, and invite them for the summit on behalf of Mr. Shiv Nadar. I was thrilled at this. However challenging it was, for a fresher with dreams and ambitions in mind, this was a welcome opportunity. 

This episode gave me some beautiful lessons of a life time. A fresher interacting with almost all the Leaders of Chennai. 

Two meetings are still etched in my memory. 

My first meeting with Mr. Suresh Krishna – Chairman of Sundaram Fasteners(TVS Group). I knew that he was just then awarded the Business Man of the Year(1995). I was nervous and at the same time excited at the prospect of meeting him. At the reception I was told that he had gone for a shop floor visit and would be back in 5 minutes, and that the message has been given to him. Within five minutes I saw the gentleman (in the company uniform shirt) briskly walking, came near me and told me, “Please come”. What a moment it was! He thanked me profusely and regretted that he would not be able to make it on that day to Delhi due to prior commitments. He said, “ I shall speak to Shiv”. The warmth, the hospitality, the respect for the visitor, the respect for the person who sent the invite was unparalleled. 

Another meeting. This time with Mr. TT Vasu, Chairman of TTK Industries. I could not believe, when I introduced to the receptionist and told her about my agenda, she told me to walkin to the cabin of Mr. TT Vasu. I had an amazing interaction with Mr. Vasu. Above all, Mr. Vasu himself came out of his cabin to see me off. I was just a messenger, but this showed the class and calibre and the regard he had for Mr. Shiv Nadar.

It was an eye opener for me. I was proud of my company HCL and Mr. Shiv Nadar. And I learnt a lesson or two on leadership. Humility, Respect, Kindness and class. 

Thanks for those wonderful lessons!