Name: Naren Babu Ch.

Title: Director

Organisation: DiLytics

Naren Babu C. is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the field of data science and business intelligence.

With a Master of Science degree in Data Science and a background in leading presales initiatives, Naren serves as a Director of Presales, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and provide strategic guidance to clients.

Throughout his career, Naren has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and continuous learning. His tenure in a Center of Excellence in BI has equipped him with invaluable insights and skills in leveraging data to drive informed decision-making and business growth.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Naren is deeply passionate about motivation, inspiration, and charity. He believes in using his skills and resources to make a positive impact on society, embodying values of integrity, empathy, and accountability in all his interactions.

Naren thrives on challenges and is dedicated to his personal and professional growth while simultaneously aspiring for social welfare. With a steadfast commitment to excellence and a compassionate approach to leadership, Naren Babu C. is poised to continue making meaningful contributions to the world and beyond.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

As a leader, one of the most challenging aspects I've found is navigating through uncertainty and ambiguity.

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

I've dedicated significant time and effort to sculpting my career, viewing it as an ongoing journey towards leadership. The leader I envision myself becoming is forged through a commitment to continual learning and personal growth, alongside overcoming obstacles and challenging perceptions along this path.

With each struggle faced and each qualification earned, I see myself not only as a traveler on this journey but also as a resilient and determined individual, steadily progressing toward my goal of leadership.

Work Experience: Throughout my career, I've assumed various roles including data and analytics lead, Team lead, implementation manager, Presales Manager, Presales Director, and solution lead. These diverse experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of numerous facets within the industry. I've gained expertise in areas such as adopting new technologies, crafting solution strategies, optimizing account mining, fostering revenue growth, and managing profit and loss.

Crucially, my ability to keenly observe processes and apply effective leadership skills has been pivotal to my professional development. By continuously learning from these observations, I've honed my approach to problem-solving and decision-making, thereby contributing significantly to my journey and overall growth.

Education & Qualification: My path toward leadership commenced with a robust educational foundation. Understanding the importance of staying abreast of the latest technologies and trends in data analytics, I pursued a Master's degree in Data Science.

Mentorship and Coaching: Seeking guidance from seasoned leaders both within and outside my organization has been instrumental. Engaging in coaching relationships has provided tailored support, fostering my leadership development and aiding in overcoming challenges.

Demonstrating Leadership Qualities: I've consistently demonstrated leadership potential in various roles, irrespective of formal titles or hierarchical positions. Actively volunteering for leadership opportunities has allowed me to showcase my initiative and capability.

Continuous Learning and Personal Development: A commitment to self-directed learning has been integral to my growth. I avidly consume literature on leadership theory and best practices, constantly seeking avenues for improvement.

Community and Volunteer Leadership: Beyond the professional realm, I've been deeply involved in community organizations and charitable initiatives aimed at supporting underserved populations. This involvement has provided rich leadership experiences outside the workplace.

Adaptability and Resilience: Embracing challenges as learning opportunities and maintaining resilience in the face of setbacks has been key. Remaining receptive to feedback, engaging in self-reflection, and continuously refining my leadership capabilities are central tenets of my approach.

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

From the moment I wake up to when I retire for the night, I structure my days with a blend of purposeful activities and thoughtful planning:

Exercise: I kick-start my day with physical activity to invigorate both body and mind, setting a positive tone for the hours ahead.

Spiritual Practices and Charity: Before delving into work, I dedicate time to spiritual practices and engage in charitable acts, fostering a sense of connection and purpose beyond myself.

Review and Prioritize: Next, I meticulously review my notes for ongoing projects, tasks, and upcoming meetings. Employing the 4-quadrant rule of Time Management, I prioritize activities based on their urgency and importance, considering timelines spanning weeks or even months.

Strategic Planning: Devoting an hour to planning new initiatives, I map out activities, block calendar slots, and jot down pertinent notes, ensuring a structured approach to implementation.

Execution: With priorities set for the week, I focus on driving initiatives forward, steadfastly working toward project milestones and objectives.

Adaptability: Should unforeseen tasks or meetings arise, I swiftly reassess priorities, recalibrating my task list for each initiative to accommodate new developments.

End-of-Day Evaluation: As the day draws to a close, I reflect on progress made and the quality of work accomplished. I then strategize tasks for the next day and the entire week, ensuring a seamless transition into the following day's activities.

Strategic Reflection: I take time to contemplate potential new initiatives, pondering avenues for progress and growth, setting the stage for future endeavors.

Family Time and Rest: Finally, I unwind by spending quality time with my family, nurturing relationships beyond the realm of work, before winding down for a restful night's sleep, ready to embark on the next day's journey refreshed and recharged.

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

The latest leadership insight that resonates with me is the importance of fostering the career growth of junior colleagues. This encompasses both accommodating their needs and providing the necessary support for their development, which can be encapsulated as coaching and mentoring.

Additionally, another significant leadership lesson I've recently reflected on is the power of influence and effective leadership. It underscores the ability to inspire and guide others towards shared goals, embodying leadership through impactful actions and decisions.

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?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

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

Keep a Goal Learn everything that is needed to reach the goal. learn in whatever way you want, be strong, be ready to face criticism, be ready to face setbacks, be ready to be pushed away, be ready to be rejected, be ready to be ignored, be ready for challenges, embrace failures, put your heart, and when you fall, give the push, give the push again and again, again and again till you are there. Last but not least "never give up".