S1-E4: Adaptability & Assertiveness

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Full-Stack Leadershipcast

Business


Guest: Vijay Chakravarthy, Former SVP - IBS Software


Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode, host Krishna Prasad sits down with seasoned business leader Vijay Chakravarthy, who shares reflections from his 30+ year corporate journey of Leadership across Manufacturing, IT consulting, digital transformation. Vijay unpacks the key qualities that shaped his leadership style — adaptability, assertiveness, collaboration, and conviction. Join us to get insights on how to embrace change and lead through uncertainty and also importance of having leadership mentors along your own journey.



Key Leadership Insights:


  • Leadership Adaptability: Embrace change and learn how to let go of the Fear of the Unknown by being open-minded and prepared to accept challenges. 
  • Experiential Learning: Prefers hands-on experiences (e.g., working with startups) over theoretical knowledge.
  • Leadership Style & Communication: Emphasis on balancing collaboration with clear, assertive communication. Also, how a clear shift from being Aggressive to Assertive will lead to long-term results and people's motivation. Communication is about Clarity & Empathy. 
  • Decision-Making & Influence: He proposed a 7 P Postulate, which is about Focus on Passion, Process, People, Policies (positives) and minimize Pressure, Politics, Pessimism, Procrastination (negatives).
  • Handling Challenges: Lessons from a couple of Recessions, like how leaders can think of investing during downturns (e.g., capital, people) and how many leaders rarely think of investing in People even though they are called Assets.
  • Proactive Opportunity Seeking: Leaders should actively pursue opportunities for growth and development.
  • Importance of identifying Mentors: Advocated for having different mentors for different phases of one’s career. How to Learn by focusing on not only your strengths but their strengths too, and not their weaknesses.
  • Conviction and Standing Up for Beliefs & Values: The courage to stand up for one's convictions and challenge directives when necessary.


Quotable Knowledge Nuggets:


"Don’t fear the unknown. Be open to challenges."

"You don’t need to be aggressive to be effective. Be assertive and clear."

“Surround yourself with people smarter than you — and actually listen to them.”

“Either convince your leadership or be convinced by them — but stand by your conviction.”

 “See strengths in others and learn from them. Let go of their weaknesses.”

“Leadership fundamentals stay the same — even in an AI world.”

"Procrastination is the enemy of agility."

"Protect your team by equipping them for the next challenge, not just shielding them."


Resources & Connect:


  • Visit us at: https://www.pm-powerconsulting.com/full-stack-leadershipcast/


  • Follow Full Stack Leadership Podcast on Spotify /Amazon music / LinkedIn / YouTube for more such leadership journeys



  • Connect with the host on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-krishna-prasad


Enjoyed this episode? Please share your favourite quote and tag us! Let’s keep growing together.

#Full-StackLeadershipcast #Full-StackLeadership #PM-PowerConsulting


About our Guest:


Vijay Chakravarthy is a former SVP – IBS Software and held Leadership positions in Oracle, Deloitte

Vijay is a very seasoned business leader with over 30 years of professional experience. His career over 3 decades has spanned across multiple domains ranging from Manufacturing, Aviation and Travel. He has over the years demonstrated leadership expertise in managing large-scale IT, Digital Transformation and Business Process Improvement programs for a variety of customers. In his last roles as an SVP at IBS Software, he was responsible for some marquee clients in the Aviation and Travel domains.


Vijay is an Angel Investor and also passionate about Sports and Performing Arts.