CEO Insights Magazine

Captain Rakesh Walia is a decorated Army Officer, a positive influence, a motivator and a people’s man, who has served the nation in some of the most hostile operations within and across the Indian border. He performed outstandingly well while in national service to be appointed as GSO3 (Intelligence) Headquarter 350 Infantry Brigade, one of the most converted designations to be awarded to a Captain. After facing constant hardships in life and winning over life in its own game, Captain Walia who is also a Cancer Warrior is now out on a mission to mentor, guide, motivate and inspire others to achieve not only what they wish to, but also to bring out the best in them so that they live a life of excellence to the fullest and be gainfully integrated in the exercise of nation building. Captain Walia aims to have an impressionable and positive impact on the people around him and this passion has helped him to become a business and success coach that aims for the holistic development of his clients.

In an exclusive interview with CEO INSIGHTS, Captain Walia talks more about his journey and his passion to help others reach their goals.

What inspired you to be a business and success coach and what are the major challenges that you have had in your journey?
To my understanding, anyone who has the wisdom, experience and has the courage to hand hold others while in their need, is a mentor and guide. I think that it has always been my passion to do this. Helping others to bring the best out of them, is something that I take great pride and joy, so being a business and success coach was natural to me. I believe that we all have unlimited power within us, which can change human lives and shape destinies forever, just be patient, and have clear goal and determination.

Can you explain your leadership style?
I have a participative and inclusive leadership style and I lead by example. I have worked in various fields from a very young age and for me life had always been a challenge. All this has helped me to

shape my personality and my leadership qualities and further developing the right mindset to help, guide and coach others. I always wanted to join the Indian army even as a child and hence pursued my childhood dream to later serve one of the most prestigious Gurkha Regiment of the Indian Army. I am able to touch the core of the people with whom I work and can be a friend, a colleague, guide and a hand holder for them. I also try to understand my participants on an individual basis and this helps me to offer personalized care and attention for each one of them.

What are the factors that differentiate you from the rest?
Even though I didn’t have a typical upbringing, however life had been a great hand on learning I wouldn’t call it a bad journey. Though it had really been very difficult at times and I tried to learn from those emotional moments and situations of difficulties. This has helped me to develop and evolve myself in a unique and totally different manner form the others, which further flourished naturally over the years and later has helped me to get the best results for my clients. I also feel blessed that I have this opportunity today in my life to help those in need. Owing to the fact that we as individuals are unique, our mindset is different from each other, hence there is no standard yardstick, pattern or technique which will works the same for all.

How do you ensure that you provide the best quality services to your clients?
I tell everyone that, there are no bad times in life its only good times or difficult times and difficult ones are temporary moments which too will pass in due course. I help them to believe in themselves and after understanding their problems and difficulties, provide them with positive influence, hand holding them so that they are able to face those difficulties and challenges of their lives with courage and head held high. After one to one discussion, my clients feel relaxed, confident and enriched to face life’s challenges.

In your professional journey so far, which are the milestones that have bestowed your utmost satisfaction?
I believe that if you want to do

something constructive in life, you need to be patient, have a goal, clear vision, determination and be confident in your self, things will fall in place. Also, having lost my parents at a very young age and being orphaned, so compared to where I am standing today, having associated with some of the most iconic brands worldwide and being covered by many National and International media I would say that, I have been blessed to have such a beautiful journey that I had in life which very few can dream. I have authored three books, (a) Broken Crayons Can Still Color – this book is my life journey, which gives a detailed account of human endeavors, courage and determination to succeed under any circumstances (b) Shaheen Must Die – A patriotic Thriller and (c) Stupid Me- A corporate Saga. I am currently working on two more books which are titled (i) What to Say after You Say Hello and (ii) Games People Play. Presently I am also associated with two prominent corporate brands, for one I look after their Corporate Affairs Legal, HR & Administration Services and with the other as Director of Strategy and Business Development.

Captain Rakesh Walia, Founder, Captain Rakesh Walia
Over the course of his career has been crucial part of some of the most complex and biggest business houses in the country. Owing to his in-depth knowledge of trade and with vast experience he has been awarded on numerous occasions including: Golden Staff Award (Gold Medal) for performance beyond the call of duties, Adjudged BEST in a nationwide survey conducted by HT newspaper on People Management Techniques, Command & Control Structure within a Corporate Environment, Recognized by the Travel Industry for Leadership Qualities and invited to 4th Abacus International Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Listed on one of the renowned expertise panels of Advisory Consultancy Portal – Arzoo.com for Sabeer Bhatia (Founder of HOTMAIL), Member of Special Forum - Managing India, Brain Storm on invitation by CNBC, Meritorious Momentum for Voluntary Blood Donation, on numerous occasions, Sainya Sewa Medal with clasp (J&K) for having served in qualified area, Videsh Seva Medal and Special Service Medal with clasp Sri Lanka, 9 Years Long Service Medal, Samanya Seva Medal 1947, with clasp Op Rakshak, Reposing special trust/ confidence in fidelity, courage and good conduct awarded President’s Commission by Hon’ble President Shri A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Most Inspirational Writer of the Year 2017 by JD Institute of Fashion Technology.