B N Ravi Kumar

My most significant learning experiences occurred during the restructuring of Centena Group and the forming of an Executive Board. I had been working as a finance professional all along and the sudden transition into an Executive Board Member brought many new responsibilities. Initially there was a struggle to adapt to the new role and uncertainty about my ability to succeed. However, as I reflected on the situation and with the continuous guidance from the CMD and colleagues, I realized that this experience presented an invaluable opportunity for growth and development. This learning experience continues to shape my approach to work and life, reminding me of the importance of resilience, perseverance and continuous self-improvement.

When faced with adversity, my secret weapon involves a combination of mindset, strategies and habits that help me navigate challenges effectively. These are the key elements of my approach - resilience, a positive mindset, seeking support, adaptability, problem-solving skills, learning orientation, and gratitude. By integrating these elements, we can effectively navigate adversity and emerge stronger and be better equipped to handle future challenges.

Our organisation’s sustainability objectives are aligned with group’s mission, values, and long-term goals. Decision-making factors in the KPIs that are developed to measure the environmental, social, and economic impact of all activities. These include employee satisfaction, community engagement, and financial performance.

It is crucial to strike a balance between short-term goals and long-term strategy rather than prioritising one over the other. Neglecting long-term strategy for short-term gains can lead to missed opportunities, strategic drift, and unsustainable growth. Conversly, focusing on long-term strategy without addressing short-term priorities can lead to operational inefficiencies, financial instability, and loss of competitive advantage. As leaders, we need to integrate short-term goals with long-term strategies that create value in both, the short and long term.

Encouraging my colleagues starts with the demonstration of my own commitment to continuous learning by actively seeking out opportunities and openly sharing my experiences. At the same time, we also need to provide resources, promote a learning environment, offer training & mentoring programmes, and provide feedback / support. In the Finance division, we achieve this by organizing monthly learning sessions for all our colleagues.

Here are several pieces of advice to develop leadership skills and advance the career – invest in continuous learning, build strong relationships, develop emotional intelligence, lead by example, communicate effectively, seek feedback, stay resilient, and lead with purpose.