My Humble Two Cents for the Millennial CEO

I would have used the word ‘advice’ if this post weren’t addressed to millennial CEOs! But that’s thing you see, this league of talent extraordinaire wouldn’t pay heed to patronizing know-it-alls. And rightly so! 

As someone who built a business around and about the millennial mind-set, tapping in to the kind of raw, immense potential they bring to the table, I’ve been a keen observer of the startup space in India. It’s heartening to see the scene explode with ideas and talent showcasing newer, unexplored ways to counter problems. This new breed of entrepreneurs is bold, innovative and unabashedly honest about their dislike to “set in stone rules”. These are people who've dared to dream and taken big risks early in life. They have also been scoffed at and made their fair share of mistakes. Undeterred, they have made it to the other side.

I have always believed in a saying, “Be so good they can’t ignore you” and today I see the younger lot passionately believing in the same. And every year they get younger and better- 19 is the new 23!

At the same time, I see these young men and women struggle to cope with the stress and pressures of funding, competition, marketing, the list is endless. I was all of 29 when I first became CEO so I can vouch for one thing- it isn’t easy and it sure as hell is not a job. It doesn’t come with an off button. But that’s what is great about it!

Here are certain characteristics that I adopted along the way- that have made a huge difference in the way I have dealt with the constant pressures and asks of the job.

Listen to Others and Embrace Differences

I know you are passionate about your ideas and in all probability they are pretty great ideas. But keep an open mind; listen to other people’s thoughts and inputs.  Even if they are different from yours. Especially if they are different! It’s important to overcome the tendency to conform and embrace differences.

Continue to Learn and Create things.

Always have a clear focus in mind and lay the foundation on how to go about achieving your goals. What’s the skill set required? Can you learn the basics of coding over the weekend just to be able guide your tech team better on an upcoming project even when you are an English major? 

Build Your EQ

As you grow, you are expected to have solutions to the more complex challenges of the world. And these are usually to do with human resource, building a team that resonates the same spirit as your organization. Yes, IQ is important but empathy and emotional intelligence are needed to unleash that wit and IQ.

Believe in those who believe in you

It’s not always easy to believe in yourself, but if you are as lucky as I have been- there will be people who follow you and trust your judgement. Honor them. In doing so, you embrace the idea of letting go of self as the end of the story and actually prepare the road for others to succeed.

Digital Detox – the need of the hour!  

We are all there constantly checking emails, on social- sharing, interacting and engaging on different platforms for different purposes. And although I am firm believer that any leadership should be present on social, especially Twitter and LinkedIn- I abstain from any digital interactions before 8am- It’s your time to have a dialogue with yourself, the world isn’t going anywhere.

Active Commuting - Walk towards a better future

The speedy growth of India's urban population has put massive pressure on all transport systems. Growing travel demand exceeds the limited supply of transport infrastructure and services. Public transport, in particular, has been completely overwhelmed.

Gurgaon is a fast emerging suburb of Delhi, the national capital of India. The city offers world class business opportunities particularly for IT and related industries. Public transport supply in the city is characterized by array of modes ranging from two seated manually driven cycle rickshaws to fifty seated buses compatible with local conditions and demand patterns available for use. The level of blending of the two types of systems in a city is determined by the prevailing city’s socio economic fabric, travel patterns and road network.

It is very important for us to understand the annoyances, risks and costs incurred on cab and bus fleets that companies are forced to run to compensate for the absence of walking, cycling and city bus infrastructure.

We should aim to create awareness and encourage people to choose sustainable transport over personal vehicles. There is an urgent need to catalyse the creation of high quality footpaths, cycle paths and public transport alternatives. If our industry is able to create enough ‘force & demand’ infrastructure it will further encourage the Govt. to look into these asks and provide continued support. Over the last few months, various workshops for HR Admin & Transport managers have been organized in various companies. Companies are making efficient use of public transport & have also been able to drastically reduce their fleet size. Through these repeated interventions, the message of walking, cycling, and using public transport on a more frequent basis is being spread. Going forward we should all plan to conduct - company sensitization programs regarding use of public transport, cycling rallies heavily participated by employees of IT-BPM industry and pay more emphasis on the last mile connectivity.

The IT-BPM industry comprises of a fair share of challenges; one of the most important being safety to its employees and in particular women employees. This industry is already familiar with the facts & stands poised to provide adequate safety & security to its employees. They have shown strong commitment towards providing for Safe and secure working environment to all of their employees especially women employees. As a routine practice, this industry as a whole maintains, manages and upgrades comprehensive security program across regions which is indicative of its commitment to the cause.

Organizations have also understood the importance of ‘active commuting’. NASSCOM had organized “CEO’s Walk to Work” which was attended by over 500 executives from the IT-BPM industry - signifying that top corporate professionals can walk & inspire their fellow colleagues to follow their steps. Similar ‘green’ initiatives by other corporates in the future will increase the awareness and willingness of the workforce to take the choice of opting for more environment friendly ways of commuting.