Industry veterans dole out success ‘mantras’ for students

From Accenture India to the Volvo Group, some of the biggest names in business are part of the UPES School of Business Advisory Board. Guiding students to make a mark of their own, the leaders offer valuable lessons they learnt from their experiences in the industry

True leaders know how to motivate others by leading, listening and empowering them. Every day, they create solutions, innovate and drive change, and in the process, become a powerhouse of knowledge.

Such exceptional leaders are a part of the UPES School of Business Advisory Board. They reveal the best lessons they learnt to navigate career and life through its ups and downs.

Recognising the power of courage to face challenges, Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director, Volvo Group, says, “The success mantras have changed dramatically. What is required is a ‘can do’ attitude. And be willing to take up challenges, trying the so-called ‘impossible’. Why that is important? Because that marks the beginning of innovation, the beginning of new learning, the beginning of entrepreneurship, and the beginning of leadership.”

Cautioning students that failures are bound to happen, Manoj S. Nair, Managing Director, Accenture India (SAP/ERP), says that you need to be comfortable and open to dealing with uncertainty. “From anybody, who is joining the corporate sector, the expectation is to have the right mindset. Things are going to go wrong; it is not going to be right every time. But do you have the right mindset to handle the failure and step up from there and continue to grow. And are you open to change?”

He also stresses the significance of having clarity and a sense of purpose. Nair says, “You should always be focussed on your personal brand. What do I need to be known for? What attracts me? What is my passion? And continue to look for opportunities that link to your passion. Because once you do something which is close to your passion, the best will definitely follow.”

For Subir Hazra, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, GMR Services, GMR Group, the magic ingredient is ‘resilience’. “One has to have the ability to learn new things, get adjusted to new and difficult situations. In times of adversity, how can you navigate the organisations in situations which were not thought of? You always have to prepare for alternatives, get ready for innovative business or revenue streams so you can actually survive. In order that you do not perish, resilience is required; toughness in the students is required.”

Amit Garg, Managing Director, K-RIDE (Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation), emphasises on the power of preparedness. He says, “We need students who are much more mature and have industry association before they come out of college. Because most of the companies feel that the students should start delivering as soon as they join.”

Talking about how UPES has emerged as a top university by building and sustaining a winning culture among students, Garg says, “The university has gone from strength to strength. The way they take care of the students, the way the infrastructure is maintained, the way industry relationships have been nurtured over the years, is remarkable. UPES, particularly the School of Business, will stand out as an example.”