HR Infotech Association organised a session, titled ‘Dare to Lead’ for HR professionals from the IT/ITeS industry in Mumbai. Dr Anil Khnadelwal, former CMD, Bank of Baroda and Dena Bank, who was the key speaker at the session, recalled how he transformed Bank of Baroda into a veritable HR powerhouse. He has narrated the saga in his book, ‘Dare to Lead – the BoB Way’.
Dr Khandelwal shared with the participants how he started his journey as a non-banker in a banking job. His tenure as a HR person saw him move from one city to another managing union issues which were so prevalent in those days. When he took the leadership role, the market sentiments were not very favourable. He established his first 100 days’ priorities which gave a sense of purpose to his team. The morning sessions every day with leaders down the line diligently sorted out all operational issues that otherwise took so many iterations during those pen and paper days. “These morning meetings also were fertile grounds to generate newer ideas,” he said.Being responsive was one of his management mantras. He said if anybody did a business mistake, then he had a large heart to pardon but if somebody did not respond to any communication within the stipulated period, he never took that kindly.
He also said several initiatives were taken to enhance communication within the wide-spread teams. How he aunched ‘Sampark’, the employee connect program, and how he tracked every single communication through ‘Sampark’ was phenomenal, he said. His message to the participants was instead of making sweeping statements, work with data. That will help withstand the ground. For him, authenticity and honesty were his craft. He said he always focussed on the intangibles which automatically drove the tangibles. For him, passion was more valued than performance and creation of higher purpose was the best engagement strategy.
The event was attended by over 120 HR professionals from different IT/ITES companies.
Ajit Singh, president of the association, mentioned that it was an honour to have Dr Khandelwal as the speaker. His concepts of leadership were so maverick and original that struck a chord with the audience. HRIA is 21-year-old association of HR professionals in IT/ITeS industry set up with an objective of sharing and learning within the HR fraternity.
