Name: Anirudhe Ghosh

Title: Senior Vice President

Organisation: TASC Corporate Services

A result-driven professional with significant and progressive experience in successfully managing all aspects of business from operations to sales and strategy. Has restructured operations and driven turnkey projects to drive operational efficiency through technology transformation. Have built a business from ground zero and helped drive growth

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope Anirudhe's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

Building trust as a leader is crucial for fostering strong relationships and creating a healthy, productive environment. Here’s how you can approach building trust with employees, customers, and other stakeholders:

### **With Employees:**

1. **Be Transparent:**

- Share important information honestly, even if it’s challenging. Transparency about company goals, challenges, and performance fosters an environment of trust.

2. **Lead by Example:**

- Demonstrate the behaviors, values, and work ethic you expect from others. Actions speak louder than words.

3. **Empower Your Team:**

- Trust your employees with responsibility and autonomy. Micromanaging can erode trust. Allowing employees to take ownership of their work shows you believe in their capabilities.

4. **Be Consistent:**

- Consistency in your decisions and behavior builds confidence. Employees should know what to expect from you, which reduces uncertainty and fosters a sense of safety.

5. **Listen Actively:**

- Encourage open communication and be receptive to feedback. When employees feel heard and valued, trust grows.

6. **Support Development:**

- Show commitment to the growth and well-being of your employees. Offer opportunities for learning and provide constructive feedback for improvement.

### **With Customers:**

1. **Deliver on Promises:**

- Reliability is key. Always ensure your products, services, and commitments align with what you’ve promised. Customers trust brands that follow through.

2. **Communicate Effectively:**

- Keep customers informed, whether it's about new products, any issues, or changes in service. Proactive communication prevents misunderstandings and shows transparency.

3. **Focus on Customer Needs:**

- Prioritize understanding and meeting the needs of your customers. A customer-first mindset builds loyalty and long-term trust.

4. **Be Ethical and Honest:**

- Uphold integrity in all dealings. When customers see that you are honest—even when mistakes happen—they will trust you more.

5. **Encourage Feedback and Act on It:**

- Invite customer feedback and take it seriously. Show that you value their input and are committed to improving based on what they say.

### **With Stakeholders:**

1. **Build Relationships:**

- Develop genuine, long-term relationships with stakeholders. This is done by understanding their interests and aligning goals with theirs whenever possible.

2. **Be Accountable:**

- Take responsibility for your actions and decisions, especially during times of uncertainty. Accountability establishes credibility and trustworthiness.

3. **Stay Open to Collaboration:** - Be open to different perspectives and willing to work together for mutual benefit. Collaboration builds stronger relationships and increases trust.

4. **Demonstrate Long-Term Vision:**

- Share your vision for the future and involve stakeholders in that journey. Trust builds when they believe you have a well-thought-out, sustainable plan.

5. **Respect Confidentiality:**

- Ensure sensitive information is handled carefully. Whether it's financial data or strategic plans, protecting confidentiality is crucial for trust.

By focusing on these principles, you create an environment where employees, customers, and stakeholders can confidently rely on you. Trust is built through actions, and consistency is key in maintaining it.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

Vision and mission are foundational concepts guiding an organization's direction, decisions, and actions. They both serve as essential tools for aligning everyone in the company, from employees to leadership, with customers and stakeholders. Let's break down what each term means and how they are used in the real world.

A vision is a forward-looking statement that describes the long-term goal or ideal state that the organization aspires to reach. It's an overarching, future-oriented view of what the company hopes to accomplish or become. It answers the question: Where do we want to go? Characteristics: Inspiring, long-term, broad, and aspirational. Purpose: The vision statement is meant to motivate and guide employees, customers, and stakeholders toward a shared future.

A mission describes the organization's current purpose—what it does, for whom, and how it does it. It is more specific than the vision, often focusing on the present and the near future. It answers the question: Why do we exist? What value are we providing right now? Characteristics: Clear, action-oriented, and focused on the present. Purpose: The mission statement clarifies the company’s purpose, values, and core objectives, helping to define what success looks like on a day-to-day basis.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

Empowering people as a leader is about giving them the tools, trust, and opportunities they need to grow, take ownership, and excel in their roles. An empowered team is more motivated, innovative, and accountable, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the business and a stronger sense of purpose among the individuals. Some of the key areas:

1 - Trust Your Team, 2- Provide Clear Expectations and Guidance, 3- Encourage Ownership and Responsibility, 4- Create a Safe Environment for Risk-Taking, 5- Create a Culture of Collaboration

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

I believe my biggest coach and mentor was my dad. His resilience and positive approach towards the world have helped to become a better human being and a better leader. I still remember my dad bringing a stranger home for a meal because my dad met him on the road, and he was asking for money for a square meal. Compassion and care were his pivotal strengths.

​

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

You're absolutely right—effective leadership often involves more restraint than action. Sometimes, the real skill lies in what a leader doesn’t do: not jumping in too quickly, not micromanaging, and not making decisions on behalf of the team when it’s not necessary. Maintaining focus in your leadership role, especially when there's a constant flow of responsibilities, distractions, and expectations, requires intentional effort and self-discipline. Here’s how to maintain focus while leading:

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

I break down my year into months, then into weeks and days, and finally hours. Key Principles Across Time Frames: Adaptability: The ability to adjust your plans as new information or challenges emerge is crucial. Delegation: Trust your team and empower them to take ownership of tasks. Senior leaders can’t do everything themselves. Communication: Regularly communicate your vision, goals, and feedback with your team and other stakeholders. Balance: While focusing on short-term goals, never lose sight of the long-term vision and impact. Avoid getting bogged down by day-to-day fires at the expense of strategic progress.

Key Principles Across Time Frames: Adaptability: The ability to adjust your plans as new information or challenges emerge is crucial. Delegation: Trust your team and empower them to take ownership of tasks. Senior leaders can’t do everything themselves. Communication: Regularly communicate your vision, goals, and feedback with your team and other stakeholders. Balance: While focusing on short-term goals, never lose sight of the long-term vision and impact. Avoid getting bogged down by day-to-day fires at the expense of strategic progress.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

It is always difficult to delegate for the first time; however, once you have done it, it is liberating. Delegate with the understanding that others may not do things exactly as you would, and that's okay. If you’re unsure about who should handle a particular task, ask your team members for their input. They may be able to offer insights into how they can contribute more effectively.

Ultimately, delegation is one of the most important skills a leader can develop. It allows you to focus on strategic priorities while also fostering a sense of ownership and growth within your team. Remember, effective delegation is about trust, communication, and development, not just about getting tasks off your plate!