Name: Chiranjoy (CJ) Das

Title: Chief Information Officer

Organisation: Keystone Industries

CJ has been in IT for since the early nineties. Currently, as the CIO, besides management, he also is involved in M&A, Cloud Strategy, IT Operations, Business Analysis, and Software Architecture. He has successfully managed employees across multiple Global projects with high ROI in countries such as Chile, Poland, UK, Canada, India, China, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia.

CJ has played roles, including Chief Data Officer, that required him to provide technical leadership to local, national, and international sites and services by serving as a 'hands-on' technologist, and a business leader.

CJ has demonstrated exceptional skills in various innovative initiatives, and leadership in all aspects of information technology. He is the recipient of the CIO100, Analytics50, and DigitalEdge50 awards in 2017. He was an Advisor to Gartner, & often seen delivering speeches at various conferences across the country on Technology.

CJ believes that we live in a world that is being transformed by technology, but with this power to change lives comes the responsibility. He takes this responsibility very seriously by applying innovative technologies for the greater good and being a good citizen.

He has a Master's degree in Computer Science, & an MBA in Finance.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Changing the culture of an organization.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I observed other leaders keenly, and learned/cultivated a few important qualities: empathy, listening, and empowering.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Primarily follow a pre-planned calendar. Changes are made as per priority as they appear.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

How to convert your opponent to your friend, & get the work done in the face of insurmountable odds.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage This story tells the story of a leader who risks his life to rescue his team. That's a leadership quality I want to imbibe.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Try to see it from the other person's perspective. This will help to reach a middle ground agreeable to all.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

The times when I have given limelight to my team members - instead of hogging it myself.