Inspiring leadership doesn’t have to be loud: here’s a great leader who inspires through soft touch — Krishnakumar Natarajan #JeenaIsiKaNaamHain
Almost twenty years ago (2005, I think) I met KK for the first time at the NASSCOM office. The EMERGE Forum was getting established, and he was invited to be the Chair. The decision to have him lead, was unanimous — the Forum needed Krishnakumar Natarajan, a much-revered leader in the industry.
He had come to Delhi and at the very first instance, I was drawn to him because of the warmth, simplicity and kindness he exuded. The first meeting was rather memorable, and he came across as a very simple human being with razor sharp intellect. We provided a few bullet points for his maiden address to other members, and even today I can recollect how expertly he built on those ideas, stitched a narrative, and delivered an address which drew instant applause. He had a fine and deep understanding of the ecosystem, the emerging participants, their challenges and where exactly NASSCOM’s forum fit in.
The EMERGE Forum under his tutelage and others, soon became the go-to-platform for India’s Tech Innovators. He led from the front and later alongside Sharad Sharma, the Forum would scale great heights. In some years, the Product & EMERGE Forum would merge, and KK continued to play a pivotal role in nurturing product innovators and doubling NASSCOM’s efforts to support the ecosystem.
A lot has to do with the fact that he genuinely cares for people.
Let me share an instance, how he keeps a lookout of his people, even outside of work.
I was soon to be part of a delegation NASSCOM EMERGE took to Australia, and so was he. It was one of my early business visits out of India and there was a tendency to cut down on expenditure even to the point of skipping meals. Taking suitable gifts for loved ones was always more important. And I wasn’t unique. Back in those days when Indians traveled abroad infrequently, this was a common enough practice.
I was with KK most of the time and he noticed that skipping meals was fast becoming a habit for me. Very gently, he explained how the human body works, it’s periodic need for food, and why it was very important to eat at regular intervals. Needless to say, I paid heed to his advice and made small changes to my routine while balancing both needs — fueling my body and bringing home presents as well.
His advice touched the right chord. Here was a leader, who took interest in my well-being and went out of his way to ensure that I stayed fit and sharp. You probably won’t see that kind of behaviour so easily today where corporate relationships are transactional, and leaders have learnt to be distant. In our penchant to do everything with a click, it may be worthwhile to take a step back and see the human side of things. Behind every click is an efficient system and behind that system are individuals who toil hard to keep it up and about 24/7. KK knew this even back then.
Initially I was in awe and would call him Mr. Natarajan. He took me aside and gently told me to call him KK just as his friends and business associates did. Thereafter, I would always go to him, when faced with a challenging situation and he would guide me to navigate the course. What I learnt from him was giving respect to the other person and how to make them feel comfortable.
People don’t wish to be managed, they need to be empowered and that’s what KK did for me — he empowered me to take decisions independently while running the EMERGE Forum. I must add here, he is remarkably prompt in answering emails. A person in his position would have his inbox flooded but even today, when I write to him, the response comes in a couple of hours. Responding on time is a massive step forward to empowering people. They feel engaged.
The other great quality about him is that he acknowledges his people and their contribution. Many times, I have shied away from coming on stage (at the ceremonies). KK was always emphatic about my contribution and acknowledged me in front of other leaders.
In 2007, we had invited Subroto Bagchi to address a Keynote at EMERGE. A stalwart himself, he walked the talk. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that he shared a room with KK. This was probably a hark back to Wipro days where senior leaders would share rooms during tours. It was never about cutting costs but getting to know your colleagues beyond work hours. I was much inspired and till date I have continued this practice — I share rooms with colleagues and try to get to know them outside of work.
The power to receive is yet another learning from KK. Often, there’s a wealth of knowledge around us but people aren’t always receiving. One should try and absorb these invaluable nuggets. Again, it goes back to humility — one has to be humble to absorb knowledge and learn from experiences of others.
KK always wishes me on my birthday, but a day earlier. I have never felt the need to point it out. He has been doing so for many many years and never misses in wishing me, and I have always considered it a warm privilege.
Thank you KK — your kind of leadership is a gentle reminder to the garrulous lot today. A soft touch approach which embodies empathy is powerful enough to move mountains.
