1. If you are an industry leader in India, remember we are the 3rd largest economy in the world. Set your sights on being a global leader. Indigo is already the 7th largest airlines in the world.
2. Always seek out challenges- both the CEOs decided to move out of their comfort zone early on. Pieter started from the airport ramp and worked his way through multiple functions, becoming one of the youngest country heads in a country with a very different culture from the parent company.
3. Discover a higher purpose- both ONGC and Indigo are a key part of building India. Once you have a higher purpose challenges become learning opportunities.
4. Create a Gurukul/ Training Centre that not only imparts technical skills but lives the culture and values. Everyone must be impacted by it.
5. Do not forget to invest in yourself. Dr Mittal as an HR Manager decided to do her PhD in Corporate Governance and met 66 Board members of various organizations- opening her horizon and shaping her future career.

1. Leadership starts with leading oneself- without resilience (how did you bounce back from significant setbacks in life) and self-awareness ( what behavior is your derailer) it isn’t easy to be a leader.
2. The discipline of following a process – the Long Range Planning process of Bajaj Finserv combines a four-year strategy with a dynamic quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily action process which is sacrosanct, yet allows CEOs to follow their styles(from constant reviews to zooming in and out)
3. A turnaround in a business is not achieved if you have only delivered shareholder returns and topline and bottom line. It is achieved when you create a leadership pipeline to sustain the journey.
4. Leaders must take risks and make punts. One of the biggest of these is betting on people to do things for which they are not ready, but you believe they have the potential.
5. Five reasons for leadership failures of leaders – thinking that a start-up leader can be a growth leader with the same style, inability to hold on to a key set of people, taking your eyes off the business(particularly being removed from the ground realities), making decisions based on ego and not understanding that aspiration is not equal to ability and one more reason!
6. A leader successful for a long time will usually fail for one reason – hubris. When there is no one around you to tell you you are wrong, you should start being worried.

The People Practices that Make SMFG India Credit one of the Leadership Factories of India

Mr. Swaminathan Subramanian, the COO of SMFG India Credit Limited presented a very insightful and intriguing case study of how his organisation builds great people leaders.

His presentation highlighted how company growth has led to the growth of people in the organisation and also focused on different L&D initiatives for managers at different levels in the organisation.

Fireside Chat – Lessons in Leadership Development

1. A manager can be respectful and ruthlessly demanding at the same time.
2. When integrity is non-negotiable, tough choices are made quickly.
3. You cannot please the world. You need to give your best shot and live your own dreams.
4. It is essential to be thrown in the deep end. It is so important to have a manager who is willing to do that for you. Without that, you will never truly experience growth and development.
5. Values and culture are often used interchangeably in organisations. However, there is a stark difference between the two. Values are non-negotiable and will stand the test of time. On the other hand, culture is an ongoing journey and not a final destination.

• Leadership Factories of India – A Case Study on HDFC Life
• Fireside Chat – Creating Leaders at scale

1. The 90 Day Rule: One of the key takeaways was the power of the “90 Day Rule.” It was fascinating to learn that any successful initiative can be executed within 90 days, provided you have a team that believes in the vision. From the development of ATMs to one of India’s early trading platform, remarkable achievements have been accomplished in just 90 days!
2. Getting the Dream Team right: Revolutions are seldom created by those solely focused on operational efficiency. It takes individuals with strong conviction, who genuinely care about serving customers, to drive meaningful change.
3. Customers value Convenience over Trust: While trust is often emphasized in purchasing decisions, customers may prioritize convenience above all else. Even in regulated sectors like banking, the time spent waiting at the cash counter can significantly impact the overall experience. Providing a seamless and convenient customer journey is crucial.
4. Golden handshakes aren’t always bad: Organizations are like living organisms, and sometimes, obstacles can impede their progress. Just as a doctor removes plaque to restore blood flow, organizations may need to implement “golden handshakes” to improve the overall health of the company. Sometimes, letting go of certain individuals can have a positive impact on the organization and its people.
5. Moving away from Market Share to Mind Share: The landscape of competition has evolved, and the focus has shifted from market share to mind share. The most successful brands today strive to capture the hearts and minds of their customers. If Netflix can achieve this feat, it proves that any brand can make a significant impact by engaging with customers on a deeper level.