Think beyond the obvious

Success Mantras By Vineet Nayar, former CEO, HCL

        Interview      

Akshita Bhandari, X B & Yashwini Seth, XII E, AIS PV

---

A business executive, philanthropist, CEO, and author; Vineet Nayar is a man of many hats. Credited with changing the dynamics of HCL Technologies during his tenure as the CEO, Nayar is recognised for his futuristic vision. He continues to be an inspiration for many through his philanthropic initiative, Sampark Foundation, aiming to provide children with quality primary education. In an exclusive interview with GT, he shares some of his success mantras.

Change and grow
Revolutions are what change the status quo. We call them positive disruptions; it changes what, where, and how you do things, dramatically. Technology is the key driver of change, we see this in robots being used for surgery or diagnosing diseases that go undetected. Technology-led disruptions will accelerate, creating a massive opportunity for the Indian IT industry. However, our education system is not focused on producing leaders who think beyond the obvious, making the IT sector prone to outsourcing others’ vision. As the future of the nation, you must think and act differently.
 
Motivate and succeed
Humans can climb Mount Everest or sleep through the day, depending on their level of motivation. Authentic leadership has the ability to help people find their true purpose in life. Unfortunately, the pursuit of wealth and short-term wins has made leaders forget this lesson, making them cut the roots of their organisation, leading it to a slow, eventual death. A good leader respects the human mind and inspires it to do the impossible rather than believe in the ‘use and throw policy’ which you see today, especially in start-ups that are ‘built to sell’ rather than ‘built to last’.

Repurpose and be happy
Life should have a purpose that is more significant than yourself. At the point where you start to feel financially secure and have recognition, you must have the will to give up the pursuit of wealth and fame, and discover a passion for helping others. It is then that your joy and satisfaction multiplies hundredfold. I made that transition at 50, with Sampark Foundation, and I am happier than I ever was! Today, the organisation is supporting countless underprivileged children, who give me joy every day.

Overcome and triumph
Firstly, our education system teaches us to follow the obvious. Secondly, our misplaced belief in imitation and taking shortcuts is a virus that kills originality and creativity. Lastly, the risk capital to back imaginative ideas is in short supply. We have many entrepreneurs; however, only a few make it to the finish line. We need more risk-takers who choose the untrodden path in order to create something revolutionary. Only when we are able to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, we would be able to script a success story worth sharing.

Make it count and fly
Your generation has massive opportunities ahead of you. Aim high, be original and invest in yourself- no one else will do that for you. You must learn from everybody, even your househelp and your school guard -everyone has a life lesson to share that can change your life. You are fortunate to be born into a progressive and supportive family. So, make it count and choose whether you want to be a butterfly or an ant like a million others.

In search of destiny

       Book Review     

Book: The Alchemist
Author: Paulo Coelho
Published in: 1988
Genre: Quest, Adventure, Fantasy
Synopsis: The Alchemist is a classic novel that tells the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy from a small Andalusian village, who is plagued by recurring dreams of a worldly treasure buried in Egypt’s ancient pyramids. He sells his flock of sheep and embarks on an adventure to discover this hidden treasure. However, on his way to Egypt, Santiago learns numerous valuable life lessons, overcomes obstacles, and falls in love. In fact, he realises that the real treasure in human life is to find a purpose, a ‘Personal Legend’, which is unique to everyone and the courage to pursue this personal legend.
Why it is worth reading: The novel is the most translated book by a living author and is published in more than seventy languages. Paulo Coelho invites the readers to seek their destiny, to look for something that they’ve always wanted to do. Even after thirty-five years of publication, the novel remains a cult classic and a favourite amongst readers worldwide. With over sixty-five million sold copies, it is a must-read for anyone who is seeking their  own treasure.
Iconic quote: “Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.”
Rating: 5/5
Review by: Chetna Bharadwaj, AIS Gwalior, VII