A Tale of Legends

“Are you nervous”? Asked this legend, a 17 time Grand slam winner to the boy who had the privilege to witness the toss of the coin for the Men’s singles final at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne between two of the all-time greats in Tennis. What the world witnessed in the next four hours was a master class of brutal brilliant baseline tennis which will be remembered eternally.

I am a hard core Rafael Nadal fan just because of his work ethics and Grit, Dedication, Passion (GDP). Rafa is not as gifted as Roger Federer but has worked his way to become one of the all-time greats in Tennis, a legend. He used to be the nemesis of Federer and stopped Federer in numerous occasions from greater glories. Rafa used to attack the backhand side of Federer which was the only little weakness of Federer but not this time at the Australian open final. Roger Federer has gone back to the drawing board after his rehabilitation from injury and turned his vintage one handed backhand to his most potent weapon. Not only he overcame the Rafa mystery at Australian open but went on to humble Rafa at Indian wells and Miami.

Federer could have happily retired after amassing 17 grand slams and 100 Million USD prize money to his kitty but legends “Stay hungry Stay foolish” and they believe in “Impossible is nothing”.

Rafa too after his rehabilitation from injury taken his game to another level and shown his revival and upward journey by winning at Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Both these legends have shown a greater degree of urge and desire to win, exemplars of dignity and grace.  

To win slams you need to have Physical quotient, Intelligence quotient and Emotional quotient but in my opinion to become legend you need to have the Hunger quotient. The urge from inside to drive achievement and excellence day after day, year after year.

Let us now draw a parallel between the above and Human Resource professionals. In the corporate world very few HR Heads went on to become CEOs and CMDs. Every time we hear that HR leaders lack business acumen, lack financial wizardry, lack of strategy etc. etc. Nevertheless there are professionals like Dr. Santrupt Misra, CEO Carbon Black Business, Aditya Birla group and Dr. Sarat Kumar Acharya, CMD, Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Ltd who went on to reach the summit and demonstrated being excellent business leaders. Of course with their hard work, grit, dedication, passion and the urge to learn and excel. Both these leaders have changed the saga and driven their respective businesses from one level to another higher level with greater speed exemplifying record growth and sustainability.

To become a successful corporate leader you need to have excellent Personality quotient, Intelligence quotient, Emotional quotient and Spiritual Quotient but to become a legend and a successful business leader the person should have a fifth quotient the “Hunger quotient” the urge from inside to propel the leader & the organization to drive achievement and excellence day after day, year after year.

Rafa & Roger of Tennis and the Santrupt & Sarat’s of HR have shown “impossible is nothing” if you challenge yourself and self-actualize with your hunger quotient.

Come June, the world will not be surprised if Rafa wins his 15th slam at RG and in July, Roger wins his 19th slam at the Wimbledon. Come 2020, we will not be surprised if many more HR leaders of Corporate India become CEOs and CMDs.

By Bikram K Nayak, Head Talent Acquisition L&T