Summary of Session 1 – Rithika VK
Rtn. Dr. J. Balavenkatasubramanian, MD, DA, Senior Consultant and Academic Director of the Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Care at Ganga Medical Centre & Hospitals Pvt. Ltd., delivered an inspiring session focused on the theme of unlocking one’s potential and embracing leadership qualities. He began by emphasizing the importance of having a clear purpose in life. He reminded the audience that while they may be young and at the beginning of their journeys, they have the potential to evolve into individuals with phenomenal leadership qualities. He encouraged them to believe in their ability to achieve greatness, stressing that each one of them can become a legend in their own right.
He outlined the qualities essential for becoming a leader, highlighting the need for tremendous integrity, humility, and exceptional interpersonal relationships. He explained that leadership starts small—first by becoming a role model in one’s school or college, then expanding to become a role model in one’s district, state, country, and potentially, the world. He emphasized that this transformation into a global role model begins with the decisions and actions taken during their college years.
The session also focused on the importance of having the right perspective on life. He posed a critical question to the audience: Do you want to be a laborer throughout your life, or do you aspire to lead a life of eminence and become a legend? He stressed that everything is possible, but the foundation is laid during one’s time as a student. He warned that if this opportunity is missed, it may never come again, underscoring the significance of every minute spent in self-
improvement during these formative years.
He urged the students to make choices that would define their future positively, encouraging them to constantly strive to be better than they were the previous minute. This, he said, is the true measure of success in life. He emphasized that the program they were a part of was designed to help them achieve this level of personal growth and success.
He concluded by encouraging the students to count their blessings and to always be mindful of their life’s perspective. He reminded them of their responsibility to make their parents, institution, and country proud, expressing full confidence in their ability to do so. The main points of the session were clear: unleash your inner legend, transform your life for success, embrace your potential as the leaders of tomorrow, find your purpose, count your blessings, and invest in yourself every day.
Rtn MD R S Maruti’s inauguration speech emphasized the importance of putting in one’s fullest effort, even in the smallest tasks. He encouraged the audience to apply themselves 100 percent to whatever they do, highlighting that dedication and effort are crucial for success in any endeavor. He repeatedly stressed the importance of mentorship, urging the students to actively seek out mentors, absorb their knowledge, and make the most of the opportunities provided by experienced individuals.
Maruti underscored the significance of leadership, calling on the students to step up and be leaders in their communities. He pointed out that numerous opportunities await in India, and encouraged them to make a difference by joining movements like Rotary, which is committed to service and making an impact. He spoke about his own journey in Rotary and how it has been a vital part of his life, noting that the organization offers invaluable experiences and opportunities for
personal growth.
The power of mentorship was a central theme in his speech. Maruti advised the students to listen, think critically, and learn as much as possible from their mentors. He explained that the program they were attending would expose them to the concept of mentorship, which he believes is key to unlocking one’s potential and transforming one’s life. He highlighted how Rotary contributes to society in various ways, from providing polio vaccines to offering oxygen concentrators, and through programs like Rayyla.
In conclusion, Maruti’s speech was a call to action for the students to invest in their personal development through mentorship, to become leaders in their communities, and to actively participate in service-oriented movements like Rotary. He encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them and to strive for excellence in everything they do.
Rtn Pradeep Yuvaraj, MD & CEO of Prezantim, delivered an insightful session on the importance of storytelling in leadership and how perspective shapes a leader’s effectiveness. He opened by highlighting a Harvard survey that identified storytelling and creative thinking as two of the most critical attributes that define great leaders. Pradeep emphasized that storytelling is not just a skill but a necessity for leaders who want to inspire and lead effectively.
Pradeep shared his own entrepreneurial journey, which included working for ten years in top companies like ExxonMobil, Total, and Shell Petroleum. His path took a significant turn after reading the book *Rich Dad Poor Dad*, which motivated him to venture into entrepreneurship. His first startup involved designing race bikes, and though he encountered several setbacks, including a promising financial education startup that nearly secured funding from Nexus Capital before the economic crisis hit, he persisted. After five to six startups, Pradeep emerged as a “Survivor Entrepreneur.” For the past 14 years, he has led Prezantim, helping startups and founders worldwide craft compelling investment pitch decks. He has worked with 642 clients across every continent, including Antarctica, showing the global reach of his expertise.
In his talk, Pradeep shared three vital lessons to help leaders become better storytellers:
1. Complex vs. Simple: Pradeep discussed the common inclination to complicate matters, noting that many people are trained to believe that complexity equates to quality. However, he argued that simplicity is often more powerful. He encouraged the audience to strive for simplicity, making concepts and solutions easier for others to understand and engage with.
2. 360-Degree Perspective: Pradeep highlighted the importance of viewing problems from multiple angles. He noted that most solutions are often right in front of us, but because people approach issues with a narrow focus, they fail to see the answers. He advised leaders to broaden their perspectives, which often leads to better problem-solving.
3. Avoiding Assumptions: Pradeep warned against making assumptions, sharing a personal experience where he assumed that customers would naturally buy his product. This assumption led to the failure of his first business. He stressed the importance of thoroughly analyzing demand and having a solid strategy before launching any venture. He illustrated this point by referencing the start of the session, where he assumed 150 chairs would suffice, only to find that 250 were needed—demonstrating that assumptions can lead to missed opportunities or failures.
Pradeep further emphasized the power of storytelling by contrasting how much the audience could remember from a theoretical explanation of relativity versus a simple, engaging story. While most people struggled to recall the theory, they remembered the story in vivid detail. This example underscored that stories have a unique ability to stick with people long after they hear them, making storytelling an essential tool for leaders. He drew on the famous example of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which not only rallied a nation but also changed the course of history for African Americans. This example illustrated how powerful storytelling can be in leading movements and inspiring change.
He also touched on the concept that “facts tell and stories sell,” emphasizing that those who can tell compelling stories often hold the power to influence and lead others. According to Pradeep, effective storytelling helps leaders capture attention, foster understanding, inspire action, and create lasting change. He concluded by stressing that leaders should strive to make their messages simple, concrete, and visual, ensuring that their stories resonate deeply and lead to meaningful action.
Pradeep’s speech was a powerful reminder that storytelling is not just a tool but a leadership necessity. It helps leaders connect with their audience, inspire them to care, and drive them to act, ultimately making storytelling a cornerstone of effective leadership.