India’s tech-ade has left indelible marks on all walks of life through technological innovation and digital transformations. The distinctive leadership of India's Techade CEO is a major reason for the transformation. It is proven that the footprints of leaders and the best leadership advice could help new, aspiring professionals to achieve their goals. Here are the best bits of advice from the top Tech-ade leaders who shared their thoughts with CEO Insights Magazine.
1. Aloke Palsikar, EVP & Global Head of Aerospace and IHM at Tata Technologies
"It is important to focus on your personal journey and overarching career goals. Embrace the concept of continuous learning as a fundamental aspect of effective leadership, as it equips you with the knowledge and skills to adapt to evolving challenges. Leaders should consistently maintain a broad perspective, emphasizing the significance of collaborative teamwork in achieving collective objectives. Remember, the welfare of society should serve as the guiding principle of your endeavors, recognizing that true success is intricately linked with the prosperity and harmony of the community you play an integral role in."
2. Parag Bhise, CEO, Nucleus Software
"The crucial advice for the people is to prioritize continuous upskilling. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, the skills and knowledge one acquires today may quickly become outdated. Therefore, committing to lifelong learning and growth is a necessity. Dedicating time to staying updated with the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, shifting customer demands, and best global practices is important to remain relevant in the field. It is critically important for any professional to stay extremely customer-focused and continuously keep assessing customers’ current needs while foreseeing futuristic needs as well as proactively finding out and addressing customer pain points."
3. Anil Ghelani, CFA, Senior Vice President, DSP Mutual Fund
"In finance, if you linger on the same process, you will be left behind at some point. That's the level of innovations happening in the world of finance around everything from managing your money to gathering data to guide in decision-making, approaching clients, and showcasing how to allocate their portfolios. Beyond the traditional skill sets required to excel in finance, such as being good with numbers, having an eye for detail, being a good analyst, having respect for history, and focusing on risk factors, these aspects will help you progress your career."
4. Subbu Subramanian, Country Director – India, Dynatrace
"Not only in this industry but for any line of work, I would suggest three principles for aspiring professionals who wish to leave their mark in the future. First, unfortunately, most of us are designed to blame whether it is work, organization, boss, or even a life partner. Though there is no harm in analyzing ‘what went wrong,’ the key here is to identify the gaps and navigate through them for better outcomes for the future. Secondly, nurture a genuinely open mind, which will prove invaluable in the long run. Lastly, master the time management. We all have the same 24 hours, but focused work and prioritization set high achievers apart. The art of focused working is a seriously unappreciated skill. It is good to remind yourself time and again that success lies in continuous improvement and staying adaptable to the ever-changing landscape."
5. Raghavendra C Swamy, Managing Director, Concentrix
"First and foremost, it is crucial to fully embrace and embody the values of the organization they work for. By aligning their actions and behaviors with these values, they can contribute to the success of the organization and create a positive impact. Remaining humble and demonstrating passion for embracing new challenges will take you to great heights. Be open to learning and growing. Embrace a problem-solving approach, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. Giving 100 percent effort in everything you do is vital to achieving the best outcomes and making a lasting impression."
6. Jasleen Kohli, MD & CEO, Digit Insurance
"In the insurance industry, knowing the products inside out is very important. Only when you are well aware of the product and the customer can you constantly improve, customize, and cater to the customer’s needs. When working on a product, we try to think if this would be something we would buy for ourselves or our family. That automatically brings the human element into the equation, which is very important for everyone who wants to work in this industry."
"Also, from my journey in the industry, I have learned the importance of continuous upskilling. In an ever-changing market and with rapidly advancing technology, it is crucial to constantly expand one’s knowledge and skills. Rather than always trying to be the smartest in the room, it is often better to seek out situations where you are not the expert. This will not only help in learning from others but also open chances for growth."
7. Manikandan Bala, Senior Vice President, Elekta
"It is also important to have both long-term and short-term visions. You also need to master communication skills to be a good leader. On the other hand, you must build networks within the business realm and constantly endeavor to widen that network. It is also imperative that you adapt to changes. You need to maintain an engaging social media account as well."
8. Rishi Chhabra, Managing Director & Country Head for India & Sri Lanka, Fiserv
"Be always open to learning in this unique ecosystem and have a spark of innovation. It is also important to envision and foresee the possibilities in the next five to ten years. At the same time, don’t try to plan everything perfectly, as it seldom happens that way. The curiosity, excitement, and backing of your own instincts can make all the difference."
9. Sanjay Vyas, EVP, Global SBU Head-Clinical Logistics & Global Safety Services & Managing Director India, Parexel
"My advice to budding entrepreneurs and leaders is to ensure that you can connect with people on the ground. Make sure that you have those interactions on a regular basis, and understand their feelings by putting yourself into the perspective of who you're talking to. Connect with the Millennials, Gen Xs, and Gen Zs in your organization and ensure you learn from them. Adapting to the changing environment is also crucial to success—be it the pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, or even the technology explosion. You must adapt to such changes and change rapidly and constantly in tune with how the industry is moving forward."
10. Prashant Sharma, Chief Technical Officer (Group Manufacturing Operations & Group Site Quality), Zydus Group
"You have to have an open mind and be open to formative experiences. The best leaders will emerge when they move across functions and comprehend the organization from multiple perspectives. You should always be open to learning. Another important aspect is networking. Intra and inter-organizational networking is an important aspect of growth."