VP-Sales & Services, Hero Honda Motors, Talks about Leadership at IMI-Delhi

VP-Sales & Services, Hero Honda Motors, Talks about Leadership at IMI-Delhi

The students of International Management Institute, Delhi had an evening session on Leadership from Mr. Deepak Mokashi, VP - Sales & Services, Hero Honda Motors Ltd. He started by giving a brief introduction about himself, and in the process

quoting, "I too was one like you long time ago." He was referring to his days as an MBA student in Pune University.

The entire purpose of the evening session was to give the students an insight about what goes on in Hero Honda, and how the meaning of leadership differs from the one in textbooks from that in real life. He reminded all of the quote made by Tony Blair, "The art of leadership is to say no, for saying yes is easy." Further, he went on to analyse the definition of leadership given by various people. And finally, gave his own view of leadership as the process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective, and that leadership is situation specific.

Further, he went on to analyse the different leadership styles that are prevalent in today's context. Few of the styles he chose to examine were Charismatic, Autocratic, Democratic, Servant, Transformative and Environmentalistic. He threw light on each of them by taking famous examples like Mahatma Gandhi, Hitler, Sonia Gandhi, etc. But he cautioned that no particular leadership style is generic. A style suited to one situation need not fit in another. The basis for leadership style has to be derived keeping in mind the organizational set-up, its vision, the external and the internal environments.

Mr. Mokashi then brought the topic of discussion to the practices at Hero Honda. He commented on his Chairman, Mr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, as one of the best leaders he had come across in his life-time. He also listed the five mandates of Hero Honda Motors, which are - to be a world-class manufacturer, to be the market leader, to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction, to promote teamwork, and to build relations with the stake-holders.

Students were then given an insight into the organizational practices followed in the company. He said that Hero Honda believed in 'getting and giving'. He clarified this point by taking the example of the monthly visits conducted by the staff of Hero Honda to all of its dealers. Information is exchanged both ways. He also discussed in brief about the other practices like the mentoring program and the employee engagement program.

After wrapping up, Mr. Mokashi spent some time clarifying the doubts and queries the audience put forth. The involvement was evident; questions were being hurled at him one after the other, and the VP was only too happy to help. Responding to a question about competitors, he clarified stating that Hero Honda is not a competition-driven company. Another interesting query that popped up from the crowd was to prioritize between a leader and a manager. Mr. Mokashi was clearly amused by the question, and referred to it as a chicken-and-egg question. He said, from what he had seen in his 20 years of industry experience, unless one is a good leader, one cannot be a good manager.

Finally, he concluded by asserting that leaders can always be made, and they needn't necessarily be a born one. Quite deservingly, he was seen off with a standing ovation.

Concluded.

Contributed by -
Varun S. Pilla,
Media Cell,
IMI Delhi.

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