As MD at Tech Alliance, a regional headhunting firm that connects talent and empowers futures, I have always been fascinated by the topic of leadership. What makes a great leader? How do leaders inspire and motivate others? How do leaders create a culture of excellence and innovation?
These questions have been on my mind ever since I met CP Gurnani, the former CEO and MD of Tech Mahindra, at the Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin in 2011, as he is fondly known, is a legend in the tech industry, having transformed Tech Mahindra from a niche player to a global powerhouse, with a revenue of over $5 billion and a workforce of over 125,000. He is also a visionary leader, who has championed the causes of digital transformation, sustainability, diversity, and social responsibility.
I had the privilege of having a brief conversation with CP at the forum, and I asked him a simple question: What is leadership? His answer was profound and memorable. He said, "Leadership is all about trust. Trust is the foundation of everything. You have to build trust between you and your peers, between you and your customers, between you and your stakeholders. Trust is the glue that holds everything together. Trust is the currency of leadership."
I was deeply impressed by his words, and I have been following his advice ever since. I have realized that trust is indeed the key to successful leadership, especially in the dynamic and competitive tech industry. Trust enables collaboration, communication, innovation, and performance. Trust fosters loyalty, engagement, and retention. Trust creates value, impact, and growth.
As a headhunter leader, trust helps us understand the needs and expectations of both the candidates and the employers. Trust helps us match the right skills and personalities to the right roles and cultures. Trust helps us build long-term relationships and partnerships with our clients and candidates.
I am grateful to CP for sharing his wisdom and insights with me, and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his remarkable contributions to the tech industry and society. He has been an inspiration and a role model for me and many others. I wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.
I also want to reaffirm my commitment as the CEO&MD of Tech Alliance, to uphold our vision of "connected talent, empowering futures". We will continue to provide the best headhunting services to our clients, and help them find the most suitable and talented candidates for their needs. We will also continue to nurture and develop our own talent, and create a culture of trust, excellence, and innovation within our organization.
Leadership is more about trust, and trust is more than a word. It is an action, a habit, a mindset, and a value. It is what makes us who we are, and what makes us better. It is what makes us leaders.
From Tech Alliance Consultancy MD: Terence WANG