Leadership Beyond the Classroom

On the 17th of August 2024, the School of Business and Management at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, hosted an impactful guest lecture titled "Leadership Beyond The Classroom - Harnessing Real-Life Experiences to Build Effective and Adaptive Leaders." The session, held in the Seminar Hall of the Management Block, featured Mr. Ashish Mittal, the Director of HR at Flames University, as the keynote speaker. The event was attended by a diverse group of MBA students and faculty members, all eager to gain practical insights into leadership beyond the academic curriculum.

Session Highlights:

The session began promptly at 10:30 AM, with an introduction to Mr. Ashish Mittal, whose extensive background in HR and leadership roles has made him a respected figure in the industry. The students were eager to learn from someone who has navigated the complexities of leadership in various organizational settings.

Mr. Mittal's talk centered on the theme of leadership beyond the confines of traditional classroom learning. He argued that while academic knowledge provides a strong foundation, true leadership is cultivated through real-world experiences, challenges, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This perspective resonated deeply with the students, many of whom are preparing to transition from academic environments to professional careers.

Throughout his talk, Mr. Mittal emphasized the importance of eight key leadership skills that are essential for any aspiring leader:

Relationship Building: He highlighted the importance of cultivating strong relationships within teams, as trust and mutual respect are the bedrock of effective leadership.

Agility and Adaptability: In today's fast-paced world, the ability to adapt to changing situations is crucial. Mr. Mittal shared examples of how leaders who are flexible and open to change can navigate their teams through uncertain times.

Innovation and Creativity: Leadership is not just about managing people; it's about inspiring innovation and encouraging creativity within the team. Mr. Mittal discussed how leaders can foster a culture of innovation by empowering their team members to think outside the box.

Employee Motivation: Motivating employees is a key aspect of leadership. Mr. Mittal provided insights into various strategies leaders can use to inspire and energize their teams, ensuring that everyone is working towards a common goal.

Decision Making: Effective decision-making is at the heart of good leadership. Mr. Mittal emphasized the importance of making informed decisions, even under pressure, and shared techniques for improving decision-making skills.

Providing a Sense of Purpose: One of the most important roles of a leader is to give their team a sense of purpose. Mr. Mittal explained how leaders can align individual goals with organizational objectives to create a sense of purpose and direction.

Negotiation: Negotiation skills are critical for leaders, both in dealing with external stakeholders and within their teams. Mr. Mittal discussed the art of negotiation and how to achieve win-win outcomes.

Leading by Example: Perhaps the most important leadership skill of all, leading by example involves setting the standard for others to follow. Mr. Mittal shared personal stories of how he has modeled the behavior he expects from his teams, earning their respect and loyalty.

These eight skills were presented not just as abstract concepts but as practical tools that the students could apply in their future careers. Mr. Mittal’s real-life examples and personal anecdotes added depth to the session, making the content relatable and actionable.

Interactive Q&A Session:

Following the talk, Mr. Mittal opened the floor for questions. This interactive session proved to be a highlight of the event, as students engaged enthusiastically with the speaker. The questions ranged from leadership in corporate settings to personal development strategies, reflecting the diverse interests and aspirations of the audience. Mr. Mittal’s responses were thoughtful and insightful, providing additional learning opportunities for the students.

Student Feedback:

The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive. Many took to LinkedIn to express their appreciation for the session. For instance, Arushi Bhatia highlighted her key takeaways from the seminar, specifically noting the importance of human resources and the eight leadership skills emphasized by Mr. Mittal. She expressed her gratitude to CHRIST University, Pune - Lavasa, and the faculty members, including Dr. Mohit Boralkar, Dr. Resham Lohani, and Tanya Sharma, for facilitating this valuable learning experience.

Similarly, Debanik Chakraborty described the session as a transformative experience, where he gained insights into guiding teams with vision, integrity, and empathy. He thanked Mr. Mittal for sharing his knowledge and Fr. Lijo Thomas for making the event possible. His post captured the essence of the session, describing it as an opportunity to explore the art of leadership beyond theoretical knowledge.

The guest lecture by Mr. Ashish Mittal was a resounding success. It provided the students with a unique opportunity to learn about leadership from a seasoned professional who has successfully navigated the complexities of real-world challenges. The session bridged the gap between classroom learning and practical leadership, equipping students with the tools they need to become effective and adaptive leaders in their future careers.

The positive feedback and engagement from the students are a testament to the session's impact. It not only reinforced the importance of the eight key leadership skills but also inspired students to apply these skills in their personal and professional lives.