Leadership Talk Series

The first session of the leadership talk series held on August 1, 2024, at IIM Bodh Gaya was impactful. Special invitees in this event were Dr. Santosh Kumar, Associate Professor at Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame (USA) and Ms. Manjari Jaruhar, one of India’s first five women police officers. The event provided the students an opportunity to learn something different from what MBA classes offer.

Dr. Kumar holds a doctoral degree from the University of Houston. As an expert in economics with research experience in projects in Bihar, he described how almost every one’s destiny is shaped by the early five years of their life. His current project, which focuses on measuring the implications of transforming salt into an anti-anemia and cognitive impairment food supplement for school-going children, was eye-opening. His talk focused on the aspect of innovation in the research done in the health sector. The emphasis lay on how product innovation should facilitate the creation of a health-conscious culture.

Ms. Jaruhar’s words resonated with the audience on multiple levels. She offered life lessons based on her bestselling memoir, Madam Sir. As a skilled orator, she encouraged people to move out of their comfort zones, leverage challenges as opportunities and build trust based on understanding. Another crucial lesson was that one must place more value on the person than on the position they hold. This lesson on humility and responsibility meant that one must lead and not necessarily manage an organization. She urged everyone to continue learning and evolving in today’s dynamic world. Ms. Jaruhar also shared her insights on gender discrimination and urged the female audience to create opportunities for themselves.

It is only safe to say that the entire discourse on leadership left a deep impression on everyone. It gave everyone a new lease of hope and self-conviction that no matter how hard things may get, things can be made to change for the better. The guests reaffirmed the understanding that, to be a leader, one must be ready to learn, to fight for one’s cause, and to have the passion to make the world a better place. The lessons shared in the session will inarguably build the confidence of students in their careers moving ahead and will always remind them that while it may not take much to climb to the top, it does take courage to stay there.

Author: Neha Sharma

About the Author: Student of MBA 10

#LeadershipLessons                                        #IIMBodhGaya                                  #Inspiration

#InnovationInHealth                                      #CourageToLead                                #iimbg

#WomenInLeadership                                    #enlighteningiim                                 #commsclub

#StudentDevelopment                                    #Empowerment