Unique Characteristics that makes him Super Cool for Super Power Positions

Ajay Banga was my ex-boss and mentor @ Nestle and I share my personal diary on what makes him stand out amongst equally smart, intelligent and successful leaders as popular choice for esteemed positions

In my early years we were both posted at Madhya Pradesh, a large state in India with a population of 85mn. He as sales head and I as his zonal man on the spot. He has been my idol and role model since.??I owe most of my fast track professional success as global CEO @34 and global strategy head @31 to the impressions he left on me with his leadership style, people management skills and empowering my free-spirited thinking - traits, that made leaders of that era and even today, insecure and threatened.?

But to him, it was fun. He always came across as a friend first, never a boss; one could share anything under the sun. He had a witty way with kicking your butt, but never your confidence. The innovation maverick in me did crazy things. He defended all and stood like a rock when things went turtle.

I have written quite a few blogs and invited to forums sharing my thoughts on new age leadership and the urgency in legacy organisations to re-invent themselves. He is a living example and possibly the few, rare ones that belong to conventional era and worked in legacy environment but adapted and transformed business and leadership with an atypical “ New Age Beliefs combined with conventional Wisdom”.??

Today my focus is on Ajay Banga the man, the person as I know him and things that make him tick, make people fall in love with him, connect and stay connected forever. The ones that make him the super choice for all super power positions not just world bank but many he has been carrying on his shoulders since a decade and more:

1.?Simplicity: You will rarely see him using big words, jargons or making complex statements. He has simple practical ways of understanding, analysing and sharing his thoughts and ideas. This makes him connect easy with anyone and everyone

2.??Common Sense That is Not So Common: His approach to every situation starts with “common sense” “common statements” and thereby to the world “not so common solution”.?

3.??Comfortable Being Himself: He has never tried to be what he is not. Till date he makes no attempt at “americanising” his Indian accent, he carries his roots and Indian culture crown with ease, pride and respect. He adorns the hat of “ Main to aisa hi hooon yaaron” (Accept me the way I am)

4.?Non-Threatening People Skills : His people skills are unmatched. During market visits, he would take 30 seconds to connect with the shopkeeper and within seconds see him sitting on his chair at the cash counter and even handling customers while chatting with him/her. He has a way with people at all levels, from a janitor to the board chair and president. All with same ease and “no different hats for different people approach”. No one feels threatened in his presence, possibly the biggest reason why people from all walks of life including country presidents are comfortable with his presence.

5.?Humour with Humility: He responds to mistakes and failure with humour and humility respecting and appreciating “ we are after all humans”, and can both kick your butt, respect your views and handhold you all in the same breath.

6. Brain in Executive Chair and Feet in the Marketplace: He is an all-out field guy, listening, assimilating, responding with courage and speed. Never procrastinating. Doing things never to please anyone, but ones he believes in

7. Empathy, beyond the ordinary: This is what connects him with issues around sustainability, poverty and his staff. During covid he refused to “layoff”. “There cannot be a trade-off between stakeholder and shareholders’ interests” he once quoted. I had an ailing mother, and he knew I was emotionally committed, he went out of his way to accommodate my need in practical ways. This made me go far and beyond. He understands that personal and professional lives are intertwined and unlike popular wisdom one cannot be separated from the other

8. Big Bold Risks: He is never afraid to make big bold decisions and therefore has the courage to be forward thinking, disruptive and acting on his belief and convictions. The ones that gave a 12X multiple in 13 years to shareholders in MasterCard.?

9. Street Smart Approach to Building Business:??Business management skills that can never be taught in business schools or learnt by thinking within the box. The “ Jugaad” bit in him ( in positive context of-course), the biggest competitive advantage amongst Indians that make them click, excel and compete, I believe still exists somewhere within. When he wants approval, a solution and growth he will find a way, in a fair and respectable manner- always.

10.? Infectious Warmth and Genuine Relationships: I have bumped into him multiple times. He still follows it up with an invitation to his home, be it in India or UK. Irrespective of his schedule he finds time. Responds to every mail. He still receives you, treats you and connects with you the same way “as our times in Madhya Pradesh”.??Same body language, the typical Indian Hug, the typical Indian “friendly” terms.

?His affectionate warmth I believe is his biggest “Ace” that has taken him places. The genuine warmth in his connect builds permanent bonds, leaves a permanent impression and the true calling comes in life through network and relationships he has earned over the years.

Many of the above traits may sound simple but the world needs to understand the power of these simple approaches. Big impacts in the world do not happen through complex posturing and behaviours but through simplicity and humility. By keeping??" People First" approach and the genuinity in you the net worth of the network you build can be awesome.?

(PS: These are my personal views and therefore can be biased or not truly applicable in certain context. Many are inferences from my early year interactions and his interviews. It is in no way to be viewed as a personal remark of or on Ajay Banga or a validation of his conduct. The intent is positive and more as learning from observations, for readers to imbibe and expose themselves to different styles and aspects of leaderships that in my personal opinion work or click in today’s world)