My Inspiration - JRD Tata!

Below is a picture of JRD Tata in my uncle's cabin who runs a company in Jamshedpur with an annual revenue of ?45+ crores of which 85% comes from Tata Motors.

This is a common scene in most of the houses and offices there. Just goes on to show the impact this man and the Tata group had and still has on people living there. Reading about JRD Tata & Tata Group's vision has played a pivotal role in me and the way I look at business.

His leadership and ideals have influenced the way I see business. Here are some of my key learnings from his life and legacy...

Nation before Business

First, He placed the nation before business. He once said, ‘To me, Tatas and India are in many ways one and the same, and one of our purposes and the objective is to build India.’ He truly meant it by forming new companies and grooming talent, creating a plethora of jobs under his wing.

People Management

His people appointing skills are impeccable, he appointed over hundreds of independent directors for its fifty manufacturing companies and 100 associate companies, almost instantaneously when managing agency system was abolished by Indira Gandhi-led government. He trusted his people and let them run and be profitable. Ever since he took over, Tata Group’s assets had increased from ?62 crores in 1939 to ?10,000 crores in 1990 and revenue from ?280 crores to ?24,000 crores. Staggering numbers!

Humility

His humility is to be followed, on his last speech, as J.R.D. addressed the board one last time as the chairman of India’s largest business house, he recounted all the milestones over the past 50 years without bringing praise to himself.

Lastly, passing the baton. He understood the importance of continuity. In the 1980s, he realized it was time to bring a young leader to the forefront. He appointed Ratan Tata as the chairman of Tata Industries in 1991.

What a man, what a legacy! A lot can be learned from his life.