Name: Eka Pillai

Title: Founder

Organisation: Kriscon Global

Corporate trainer. Master black belt in Six Sigma. Focus is on Industry 4.0 and ESG. Founder Brain Manifesto for Adults assessment and remedies

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

People always wish to lead and not follow a leader. Unless we break the Ego and Superiority complex we will not learn. Ships are always safe in harbour but that's not what they are built for. Get on to the sea.

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

I read Fountainhead &Atlas shrugged of Ayn Rand when I was 16. Then I read Bhagwat Gita also at the same age . These three books evoked the feeling of being a leader. Then I started working towards it. I mastered my domain first and then moved to corporate training especially Boardroom training and I have groomed 2000 plus professionals through Certified Corporate Directorship program. Now I am launching my own programs soon

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

I book my appointment and be punctual on it. Honestly I do not prepare myself for the meeting. I go with the flow and handle the dynamics as it comes. That's what make my professional life very interesting.

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

Not to trust incompetents based on their aspirations to become leader. The lesson I learnt is " Need can not be a claim "

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?

Fountainhead of AynRand .

It's the story of a head strong Architect named Howard Roark who does not compromise with clients and upholds his integrity on professional ethics. Howard roark became my virtual role model

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

Build yourself first and then create a unique position for you by challenging the peers and fellow leaders . Make sure you are the Elephant in the room always. Surprise them with your silence.

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

When I conducted an exclusive women directors program I told them not to take the token-ism route to come on board . This was liked upon as discrimination by few feminists. I steered it around by thrusting further on same point. Finally the speculations ended. I did not apologize. I emphasized. I gathered majority. That's the key.