I am, and all of us are, products of our own experiences.
Our families, schools, friends, and neighborhoods are all positive influences that inform the qualities we possess and demonstrate today as leaders. We are nothing but a testament of all these early experiences. Our traits and behaviors are shaped in these formative years, after which every experience is only an accelerator or a reinforcement of these entrenched qualities. There are 4 qualities that influenced me the most – Morality, Frugality, Authenticity and Maintaining Relationships.
Morality: My childhood and upbringing have firm roots in morality, which include a Fear of God and always choosing the right path even when no one was watching. Also, I strongly believe that the good deeds of our ancestors have a significant role in our own existence. We can call that Karma but it certainly determines who we are, and who we become in our lives. Moreover, all of us have a responsibility to build enough goodwill to pass on the good karma to our future generations.
Frugality: My childhood has taught me to bucket whatever I need into three categories – Basic Needs, Unnecessary Needs and Luxury. My parents would always refuse my wants that fell under the second category and the third is anyways out of the question. This is a discipline that I have practiced in several organizations that I have been part of, which include GE, Toyota, Britannia, Philips Software, and others.
Authenticity: As a boy I was skinny and very introverted. However, as a leader, you should be comfortable in your skin irrespective of who you are. Be open enough to acknowledge your vulnerabilities and build your authenticity as a leader.
Maintaining Relationships: Even before social media, I have always remained in touch with my schoolteachers and bosses. I believe in lifetime associations and not one-time transactional relationships.
