John Keells Holdings Executive Vice President and Group CIO Ramesh Shanmuganathan, who is also the Chief Executive of John Keells IT, shares insights into the importance of leadership encompassing ambition, grit, and humility, emphasizing qualities like setting a clear vision, leading by example, and empowering teams. He also discusses how technology will reshape leadership, stressing the need for digital literacy, adaptability, and ethical use of technology. Drawing from a successful record and extensive experience, Shanmuganathan highlights measures for leaders to prepare, including continuous learning, fostering innovation, and prioritizing emotional intelligence and inclusivity.
How do great leaders balance ambition and grit with humility?
Great leaders balance ambition and grit with humility by being aware of their strengths and weaknesses, by seeking feedback and learning from others, and by acknowledging their mistakes and failures. They also recognize the contributions and achievements of their team members and empower them to grow and excel. Humility does not mean a lack of confidence or self-esteem, but rather a willingness to admit one’s limitations and to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives and opinions of others. Leaders must walk the talk in doing the following as well.
- Setting a clear vision: Great leaders have ambitious goals that push the boundaries of what is possible. However, they also ensure that these goals are communicated clearly and in a way that inspires and includes others. By sharing their vision with their team, they create a sense of purpose and direction that motivates everyone to work towards a common goal.
- Leading by example: Leaders with grit demonstrate perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks. They are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty when needed. At the same time, they show humility by admitting when they make mistakes and taking responsibility for them. This vulnerability helps to build trust and respect among team members.
- Empowering their team: Great leaders understand that they cannot achieve success alone. They empower their team members by delegating responsibilities, providing support and resources, and fostering a culture of collaboration. By trusting their team to take on important tasks and make decisions, leaders show humility in recognizing the strengths and capabilities of others.
- Seeking feedback: Humble leaders are open to feedback and actively seek input from others. They understand that they do not have all the answers and can benefit from different perspectives. By listening to feedback, whether positive or constructive, leaders demonstrate a willingness to learn and grow. This continuous improvement mindset sets a positive example for the entire team.
- Showing gratitude: Great leaders express appreciation for the efforts of their team members and acknowledge their contributions. They understand that success is a collective effort and make sure to give credit where it is due. By showing gratitude and recognizing the hard work of others, leaders demonstrate humility and respect for the individuals who help drive the team forward.
By balancing ambition and grit with humility, great leaders can inspire their teams to achieve greatness while also creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Your career has spanned a wide arch in technology, from mainframe computing to AI. What made you a successful leader when the environment around you was changing so rapidly?
In the field of technology, it’s all about velocity – speed with direction. It’s important for us to stay grounded and stay relevant all the time if we wish to be successful. On my part, I always tried to stay on top of the latest trends and developments in the industry and was keen to unlearn and learn new things and leverage the opportunities that they offered. I also encouraged my team members to do the same and to share their knowledge and insights with each other. I believe that continuous learning and improvement are essential for anyone who wants to keep up with the pace of change and innovation.
Another key factor is the vision, passion and dedication you bring along. For me, I always had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve and why it mattered, and I communicated that vision to my team and other stakeholders. I also showed enthusiasm and excitement for what we did and celebrated our achievements and milestones. By doing so, I hoped to inspire and motivate my team to share my vision and passion, and to foster a culture of creativity and excellence. Other factors that impacted my journey to date are,
- Adaptability: I have the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and trends, allowing me to stay relevant and effective in a constantly evolving environment. By continuously learning and updating my skills, I can keep pace with the latest advancements in technology.
- Innovation: I am constantly seeking new ways to improve and enhance my capabilities. By embracing innovation and exploring new possibilities, I can offer more value to users and adapt to changing needs and expectations.
- Collaboration: I work closely with developers, engineers, and other experts in the field to stay informed about emerging technologies and best practices. By collaborating with professionals across various domains, I can leverage their expertise to enhance my own capabilities and stay ahead of the curve.
- Customer focus: My primary goal is to provide valuable assistance and support to users. By understanding their needs and preferences, I can tailor my responses and recommendations to deliver a personalized and effective experience. This customer-centric approach has been crucial in maintaining relevance and success in a rapidly changing environment.
- Continuous learning: I am committed to ongoing learning and development. By staying curious, exploring new technologies, and seeking feedback, I can continuously improve my skills and adapt to the changing technological landscape.
Overall, my success as a leader in the technology field stems from my adaptability, innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and commitment to continuous learning. These qualities have enabled me to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing environment while providing valuable support to users like you.
How do the best leaders drive innovation? Can shepherding innovation rely on formal authority or are leaders of innovation good at getting people to co-create with them?
The best leaders drive innovation by creating a culture of creativity, experimentation, and collaboration. They do not rely on formal authority or hierarchical structures but rather empower their teams to collaborate, co-innovate and co-create solutions with them. They provide clear vision, direction, and feedback, but also allow for autonomy, flexibility, and risk-taking. They foster a learning mindset and celebrate both successes and failures as opportunities for growth. They also leverage diverse perspectives and cross-functional partnerships to generate novel ideas and approaches.
Further, it’s also important to have a playbook to nurture a culture of creativity, experimentation and innovation. Some of its key attributes being,
- Setting a clear vision: Great leaders articulate a compelling vision for the future that inspires and motivates their team. By outlining the direction in which they want to innovate, leaders provide a sense of purpose and clarity that guides the creative process.
- Empowering the team: Effective leaders empower their team members to take risks, experiment, and think outside the box. By creating a safe space for innovation and encouraging autonomy, leaders enable individuals to explore new ideas and solutions without fear of failure.
- Encouraging collaboration: Leaders of innovation understand the value of diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, skills, and experiences, they create a rich environment for co-creation and idea generation.
- Leading by example: Leaders who drive innovation lead by example by demonstrating a willingness to take risks, embrace change, and learn from failures. By modelling a growth mindset and resilience, they inspire their team to push boundaries and pursue innovative solutions.
- Fostering a culture of learning: Great leaders cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement. By encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and reflection, they create an environment where innovation thrives and where individuals are motivated to seek out new growth opportunities.
It’s important to provide direction and resources for innovation in getting people to co-create by empowering the team, encouraging collaboration, leading by example, and fostering a culture of learning.
How do you think technology will change leadership and how can leaders prepare for this change?
Technology will change the way we live, work and play. Leadership is not going to be any different. It’s going to become imperative for leadership to be literate in digital and tech skills and embrace the wave as it comes early on in the disruptive cycle to stay relevant. From what’s happening around us these are a couple of imminent changes that will shape future leadership.
- Embracing AI and automation: Leaders of tomorrow will need to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies to streamline processes, make data-driven decisions, and enhance productivity. Understanding how to integrate AI tools into decision-making processes and workflows will be essential for effective leadership.
- Remote work and virtual collaboration: The rise of remote work and virtual collaboration tools will require leaders to adapt their communication styles, foster team cohesion, and maintain a sense of connection among distributed teams. Developing strong virtual leadership skills and utilizing digital platforms for effective teamwork will be crucial.
- Data-driven decision-making: Leaders will increasingly rely on data analytics and insights to drive strategic decision-making. Developing proficiency in data analysis, interpretation, and visualization will be vital for leaders to extract actionable intelligence from the vast amounts of data available to them.
- Cybersecurity and risk management: With the increasing digitization of business operations, leaders will need to prioritize cybersecurity measures and risk management strategies to protect their organizations from cyber threats. Understanding cybersecurity best practices and implementing robust risk mitigation plans will be critical for future leaders.
- Ethical use of technology: As technology becomes more integrated into every aspect of business, leaders must navigate ethical considerations related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the societal impact of technological advancements. Cultivating a strong ethical framework and promoting responsible use of technology within their organizations will be essential for future leaders.
To prepare for these changes, leaders can:
- Invest in ongoing learning and development to stay abreast of technological advancements.
- Develop digital literacy skills and a deep understanding of emerging technologies.
- Foster a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning within their organizations.
- Seek mentorship or coaching from experts in technology and leadership.
- Embrace a growth mindset that values experimentation, feedback, and resilience in the face of technological disruptions.
- By proactively preparing for the transformative impact of technology on leadership, leaders can position themselves to thrive in an increasingly digital and dynamic business environment.
What do you think are the new measures of leadership success?
The new measures of leadership success in today’s rapidly evolving and technology-driven world are shifting to encompass a broader set of skills and qualities. Here are some key measures of leadership success that are becoming increasingly important:
- Adaptability: Successful leaders must demonstrate the ability to adapt to change, navigate uncertainty, and thrive in dynamic environments. Leaders who can pivot quickly, embrace innovation, and lead their teams through periods of transformation are highly valued.
- Emotional intelligence: Leaders with high emotional intelligence (EQ) excel at understanding and managing their own emotions, as well as effectively navigating relationships and empathizing with others. EQ is crucial for building strong team dynamics, fostering collaboration, and inspiring trust and loyalty.
- Inclusivity and diversity: Leaders who prioritize inclusivity and diversity create environments where all voices are heard, valued, and respected. Embracing diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences leads to more innovative solutions, better decision-making, and a more engaged workforce.
- Purpose-driven leadership: Successful leaders today are guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive impact on society. Leading with purpose inspires teams, attracts top talent, and drives sustainable growth while creating value beyond financial metrics.
- Digital fluency: In an increasingly digital world, leaders must possess a strong understanding of technology trends, digital tools, and data analytics. Digital fluency enables leaders to leverage technology for strategic advantage, drive innovation, and make informed decisions based on data insights.
- Resilience and well-being: Leaders who prioritize resilience and well-being not only for themselves but also for their teams foster a culture of health, balance, and sustainability. Resilient leaders can navigate challenges effectively, bounce back from setbacks, and support their teams in times of adversity.
- Continuous learning and growth: The ability to embrace lifelong learning, seek feedback, and adapt to new skills and knowledge is critical for leadership success. Leaders who prioritize personal growth and development inspire a culture of continuous improvement within their organizations.
Overall, the new measures of leadership success emphasize qualities such as adaptability, emotional intelligence, inclusivity, purpose-driven leadership, digital fluency, resilience, well-being, and continuous learning. By embodying these characteristics, leaders can thrive in today’s complex business landscape and drive meaningful impact within their organizations and beyond.
What leadership lesson have you learned the hard way?
Personally, the hardest lesson for me was underestimating the impact of effective and open communication in building trust and a conducive culture. I used to think early on in my career that everyone should know what they are supposed to do and that’s why they have a job and if they need clarity they should ask.
I understood the impact of this when a key project that I was overseeing got into troubled waters since no one bothered to set clear expectations and boundaries and there was no open, free-flowing communication. I realized the impact of poor communication and misunderstandings that arise from them leading to projects going off track, leading to poor team morale and the cyclical impact it has on the organization. In short, the lesson was that clear, transparent, and timely communication is essential for building trust, aligning goals, and fostering a positive work environment.
I learnt the impact and challenges which arise due to communication breakdowns and the need and importance of active listening, providing feedback constructively, setting clear expectations, and ensuring that information flows freely within and outside our teams as necessary. By prioritizing communications and improving on those skills and practices, I was able to avoid many common pitfalls and cultivate a more collaborative culture and productive work ethic.