Mysuru: ‘The focus, clarity of intuit and putting the organisations above everything else are the hallmarks of a leader,’ said B. Muthuraman, former Vice-Chairman of Tata Steel, while delivering the Foundation Day Lecture of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDM-IMD) here on Sept.20.

Citing examples from his professional and personal lives to elucidate the tenets of managing an organisation and its people, Muthuraman emphasised on the concepts of human values, personal skills and people management. His first example was about how Tata Steel was able to make a rational choice about adopting a technology. At this juncture, he appreciated the visionary ideas of JRD Tata and his unique style of management.

Narrating anecdotes from his illustrious career to stress the importance of leadership calibre, the guest speaker gave examples where apparently conflicting deviations had to be taken and sometimes involving discomfort and distress to a certain section of employees.

He said in many cases, if a right decision has to be made, the leader should seek to implement this as fast as possible and stressed the importance of HR approach in a leader.

The Day started with a formal lamp lighting ceremony. Dr. M. R. Suresh, Professor – Marketing, SDM-IMD, welcomed and presented the significance of the Day. Recalling the leadership lessons shared by various speakers in the previous years, Dr. Suresh opined that the eminent speakers had indeed influenced the student community at SDM-IMD by their wisdom and professional excellence.

The lecture concluded with question and answer session with the students.