These questions came from SOIL alumni and young guests present at the business school’s 8th annual “Inspired Leadership Conference” which focused on understanding each other’s difference and leading businesses with empathy.
Discussions at the conference centered gender, cultural and geosocioeconomic issues.
Chair of the HR leadership program at SOIL, Professor Arjya Chakravarty said the conference was created to expose tomorrow’s leaders of corporate India to the thinking of multi industry leaders and economic advisors. “At SOIL, we want our students to not become managers who will only take care of the business numbers. In fact there are many more stakeholders you will have to deal with as you run a business. Each of your employees, your investors, customers will come from varied cultural backgrounds. If you’re not careful in handling expectations and needs of all of these stakeholders, conflicts are guaranteed. This is why we have invited veteran leaders with vast amounts of experience to come share their learnings with the students.”
Some of the business key figures present were Vivek Tripathy, chief human resources officer for Lava International; Meenal Jadav, director of talent management and OD, Schneider Electric while key note speaker was Arun Maira. Mr. Maira has served as a member of the Planning Commission of India as well as India chairman of the Boston Consulting Group.
“India is a beautiful country known across the world for its diversity. Each one of us is special and has something wonderful to offer to the world. Therefore, it is our responsibility today as global citizens to ensure that we understand others and study their points of view, however different they may be from ours. To facilitate this very dialogue across a plethora of differences, listening is of paramount importance and should be followed deliberately”, said Mr. Maira.
Based out of Gurgaon, and expanding into Manesar and Pune, the boutique business school, was co-created by a consortium of 32 leading companies in the year 2009. Companies include ABB, ACC, Aditya Birla Group, Dr. Reddy’s Lab, GSK, Max India, Nokia, SAP, SAS, Schneider, SRF, Anand Group, Asian Paints, Avantha, Symphony, Tata Steel, TVS, Volvo Eicher, Grant Thornton, HUL, HPCL, Maruti Suzuki, Bank of Baroda, BPCL, Dabur, ICICI, Indian Hotels, Infosys, Johnson & Johnson, Kohler, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra & Mahindra.
Conceptualized by the founders of Grow Talent Company and their head Anil Sachdev, SOIL is often quoted as an experiment in higher education that brings together young individuals who showcase analytical abilities and leadership potential from across the country, and grooms them to become responsible and committed business leaders of consequence.
BW Reporters
Regina is a reporter for BW Businessworld. In her previous assignments, she has worked with Independent television Network as a news anchor and reporter in Sri Lanka
