Story:
EXTERNAL LEADER = KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

NO MONEY, NO POWER, NO ESTABLISHMENT

I am neither not an employee of any company and hence have no authority, no powers and no money either. But I am a leader in true sense I developed a special process and product based on electrical steel laminations way back in 2008 and I own the technology. I have a working prototype to demonstrate to anyone. When I developed it- I think I was only 5^th person in the world and first in India. Even today, no one in India has yet come up with a solution to manufacture it, though market is unlimited and continues to be sold. It was available only from one company in China way back in 2008, but now it is available from as many as 10 companies- but all from China.

POWER OF A HUGE ORGANIZATION

I have signed a contract for transfer of technology to a Mega Manufacturers Ltd a large business house in India. (All names, products etc are fictitious but story is true). They are a multi product company but core business being agricultural produce. They also make steel laminations for electrical industry. However this is just a small component for electrical industry. Manufacturing high voltage transformer increases value addition manifold. I visit the company when there is need to fire fight or trouble shoot. I did not have money to start a venture myself to commercialize the product on a global scale and as an individual- I do not think I have the mental make up or capability- like Steve Jobs to start from scratch and make it big. Indian business environment is very difficult for any start up company to make it big- especially in manufacturing (Reliance Industries started by Mr Dhirubhai Ambani is an exception beyond imagination. I remember a famous  saying by him – “I will fall at anybody’s feet in the Government to get the job done” – in reference to rampant corruption and delays in getting files moved)  I needed support from epoxy chemical manufacturers in India. Personally I wish to avoid imports as much as possible- as Indian currency weakens against US Dollar.

FROM WHERE DID I ORIGINAL POWER?

Developing a new technology needs lots of analytical skills, acquisition of knowledge from multiple sources etc. A sound knowledge of history of technological evolution of the product  I had conceptualized is needed. After all has been done- crossing the final hurdle is still a Herculean task and that I think I achieved only by meditation, guidance and that final flash – a message from the God. I was working with a company 1 billionth in size with which I have now signed the contract.

After that I have been a firm believer that large companies can never innovate – unless the top man is passionately involved in creative, innovative ideas. If 3M like companies have a tradition of innovation for decades – it is worth an in-depth analysis.

COMMON GROUND = MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL TECHNOLOGY

But my primary aim is derive satisfaction by making it big somehow- by going global. Hence I had to sell the technology. You can imagine issues involved in - me, as an individual, signing contract with a billion Dollars worth company. Now 3 years have gone by. Everything is fine. Everyone is happy. I have managed to transfer technology in such a manner that this company is able to manage without my involvement to duplicate, modify and improve upon my technology. Why did such a huge company sign an MOU with me?  They saw a golden opportunity to enter a manufacture of ultra high voltage transformer - new system built around their core business of laminations, competition was zero as there are no manufacturers in India / world. Only players are from China. The product is such that existing giants globally (with head quarters in US, Europe with substantial presence in India) are focusing elsewhere- in the wrong direction. That left me and this company to slowly and steadily establish market initially by importing products from China.

HOW DOES IT SUCCEED?

I think during these 3 years we have known each other both of us have maintained highest standards of professional ethics, transparency – in spite of working level differences we had during first one year. I have worked hands on and with all levels in the organization from the highest to the lowest doing hand holding to actually, practically work rolling up the sleeves- though I am nearing 64 years young now. Though I have very high professional degree and worked at very senior level in my previous organizations and many of my classmates are CEOs in US in multimillion Dollar companies, in World Bank etc- here I was working on the shop. I did not feel bad or hesitate. I wanted to inspire and motivate people and in reality all that technology was really was with me. It had to be practically demonstrated. I want this technology and knowledge to be passed on so that it will flourish beyond my life time. I had worked passionately to develop this new technology- all by myself and I know it is capable of going global and I myself am aware that at this nascent stage- nobody but myself can pass on this knowledge It must be noted that I was inter acting with fresher from college with zero knowledge. Strangely the present day youngsters had little even academic or theoretical knowledge at working level of what I was talking about.  I was also inter acting at the highest level in the organization who too had zero knowledge of the market, strategy and lot of management level issues, competitive alternative technologies etc. , Hence I had to have lots of patience in transferring knowledge both at the working level and at the highest management level. Self-confidence, self motivation are needed. Most importantly- when faced with any hurdle or danger- it must be noted that others- who have zero knowledge start getting doubts about your capabilities, knowledge, and confidence and during these stages- it is very important to keep cool, introspect, seek guidance and derive power from the Omnipresent, omniscient almighty the GOD. Whether people – especially the scientists and non-hindus believe in spirituality or not – it does not bother me. BUT I have found at the critical junctures  I have received clear messages, guidance and that only has given peace and satisfaction without any tension, stress and has lead me to success. May be I have not amassed money or wealth, but the satisfaction of seeing my technology going globally from the harsh Indian environment is much more.

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

I suppose it is limitation on the part of computers to make organization charts which are concentric circles. A leader is not at apex of any pyramid. Neither an individual nor an organization can operate in total isolation. They need to be fully integrated with the external world. He/she too has to deliver results to some stake holders – shareholders, owners, market, customer etc. A serving the customer or market is at the heart or core on any set up. A leader is like a single point contact between the core of business and establishment. He/she acts as a cushion to absorb all differences on either side. Captain cool is source of strength to the entire system assuring both the operating team as well as the stake holders to stay steadfast on its journey to achieving the ultimate goal.

BEST POLICY FOR AN EXTERNAL LEADER .

The existing internal organization has plenty of politics and do not meddle with it. I just wanted to empower people, transfer my knowledge without holding back anything. Paper knowledge without understanding is meaningless- it has to be accompanied with hands on experience, theoretical supporting data- so that they can carry on without my involvement- which gives me freedom to take up any other activity.  Inspiring, motivating, patience, maintain cool and absorbing all the environmental shocks, introspecting (power of Silence) helps

MANY FAMOUS SAYINGS HAVE INSPIRED ME.

• A timid gets scared even before facing the danger. A coward back tracks when faced with danger. A Courageous wonders later how he could successfully, even with without awareness overcome the danger.
• "To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."
• The four steps to achievement are to plan purposefully, prepare prayerfully, proceed and pursue persistently
•  Effect of effort put in with sincerity and enthusiasm is evident by way of effective, efficient results.
• "Let me tell you the secret that has lead me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity."
• A business for making only money is bad business.