If you were to become a leader, what kind of leader would you be? Powerful? Respected? Someone who makes society better? Someone who inspires others? Wondered how some leaders are so effective at all of these. Especially when it feels like no one can escape corruption today. That’s exactly the question one of our students asked of an award-winning Panchayat leader.
“Someone would have offered you a bribe. In real life, no one can avoid it.”, quips a student from the middle row. “How do you handle that?”
“I just refuse it. You can do that.”, the speaker answers simply. “Zero corruption is absolutely possible.”
This is an extract from the very first Professors of Wisdom Program, a talk series where we bring the most inspiring minds from the Golden Generation to connect with our student community every month.
And our latest wise person on campus is Shri Shanmugam, the celebrated Panchayat President who put Odanthurai on the map! He helped this little Mettupalayam village become a rural development model studied by experts across the world.
Here is a quick look at our speaker’s profile:
A Masterclass in Effective Leadership:
In the hour-long interactive session, Shri Shanmugam shed light on so many aspects of effective leadership- from the mindset and qualities of an effective leader to the management style and strategies he used to get things done.
And our students had so many things they were curious about!
Here are a few of our favorite bits from the session:
Sanjeev, B.Com IT B: “How did you overcome the difficulties you faced?”
Shri Shanmugam: “I was trying to build 850 houses for the people. That needed land and I had to acquire it from a private landowner. There were money issues and legal issues as well. The matter went to court. There were delays. But I persisted and took the matter to higher courts. It took effort but I was able to finish the project successfully.”
Gunaseelan, B.Tech. AI&DS, says about the speaker: “With the windmill project, he was able to do good for the people and also earn profit for his administration. That is a new… that leadership isn’t always about giving selflessly. You can be anti-corruption and still bring profit.”
In short, a great start to the Professors of Wisdom Project! Click here to see more of our favorite moments from the talk!
The Life Labs team has more exciting events with interesting personalities on our drawing board! Check this space for updates!
