Event Name: PRAGNYA: A Transformative Initiative by NHRD Network and Narmada College of Management
Date of Event: 11/09/2024 (Wednesday)
Location of Event: NCSC Conference Hall
Audience: Final year students of MBA, NCM Faculties and Director Madam
PRAGNYA is an inspiring initiative led by the National HRD Network (South Gujarat, Surat Chapter) in collaboration with Narmada College of Management. The primary objective of this program is to guide students in developing effective work habits and values, which are critical in today’s corporate environment. The session aimed to help students cultivate the right habits that can shape their professional futures, following the example of corporate leaders like Shri Anilbhai Naik, Chairman Emeritus of L&T.
The session was facilitated by Shri Himanshu Bhatt, who structured his talk around three main pillars: Family, Workplace, and Community/Society. He emphasized the importance of networking, personal performance, and the role work habits play in shaping professional success.
About Resource person – Shri Himanshu Bhatt is a Leadership Coach and Incubator of leaders. He has learned his most important lessons of life from the Shroffs (Excel Industries Ltd.). He Learned his best lessons in management from Late Dr HN Nanjundiah, a close associate of Peter Drucker, the foremost guru of Management. His rich experience includes working at Excel Ind Ltd, Petrofills Cooperatives, Asian Paints, Essar Steel, Aditya Birla Group (Birla Cellulosic and Birla Copper) and RIL. He believes with conviction that Habits make or break the career of a leader. His life mission is about helping leaders in developing right habits and dropping the wrong one. As a part of his personal social responsibility to the society and the profession he is voluntarily helping various Temple Trusts and Not for Profit organisations in this area.
Key References:
Defining the Future:
The future will be bright, uncertain, exciting, flexible, hopeful, unique, and challenging. One should always aim for the best.
Virtue of Starting Small:
“In order to be great, they started working on these virtues when they were nobody.” This highlights the importance of cultivating key habits early on.
Continuous Learning:
“Continuous learning is optional, but its consequences are compulsory.” Positive consequences lead to development, respect, and recognition, while negative consequences result in stagnation and public criticism.
Students were asked to related or to Link Life with that of the game of Snakes and Ladders. Ladders represent opportunities, success, and progress—times when you rise quickly due to hard work, luck, or favourable circumstances.Snakes symbolize setbacks, failures, or challenges—moments when things go wrong, and you face a downfall, despite your efforts.
Just like in life, the game involves a mix of both luck and choices, with ups and downs that are inevitable. The key is persistence, learning from setbacks, and seizing opportunities when they arise, as the journey continues despite the challenges.
Shri Himanshu Bhatt discussed what the next generation of professionals expects from their leaders, which includes:
• Profound knowledge of their field.
• A habit of self-renewal.
• Ability to work well across generations.
• Effectiveness in decision-making.
• Support in career development and mentorship.
Golden Habits for Success:
• Commitment and ownership.
• Self-motivation and commitment.
• 100% dedication to work, 100% of the time.
• Focus on making a meaningful contribution.
• Hard work and long hours when necessary.
Key Takeaways:
• Self-motivation should come from within; do not wait for external inspiration.
• Complete tasks correctly the first time to avoid repeating them.
• Those who excel will be entrusted with more significant responsibilities.
• Proactivity is crucial; keep superiors informed rather than waiting for them to delegate tasks.
• Being punctual and regular is essential to job security.
• Reading for 30 minutes daily fosters knowledge renewal.
• Upskilling and continuous learning provide a competitive advantage.
• Ego is detrimental; use “we” instead of “I.”
• Avoid personal work during office hours.
• Limit compulsive mobile usage as it can damage one’s career.
• Look for positivity and passion in every task.
• One must think in order to aim high and prioritizing work with respect to time.
• Be grateful to your parents. Never speak lie to them at any cost. Make them feel good and great about themselves.
• Always look for contribution made by you and how it has impacted the organization.
For Self-Renewal, we should ask two questions to ourselves everyday:
- What all went on good today?
- What could have been done better?
Further, Bhatt sir outlined five key virtues that every leader’svalues in their team: - Right Motivation
- Curiosity
- Insights
- Engagement
- Determination
Healso discussed the enemies of credibility and career growth:
• Telling lies.
• Failing to deliver on promises.
• Lack of pursuit for perfection.
• Poor listening skills.
• Avoiding new opportunities and learning.
• Excessive use of mobile phones at work.
• Gossiping.
• Doing Job along with complaining and crying for it
• Being Poor at Homework
Rain comes Sunshine was told by sir throughout the session which says “After the rain comes sunshine” is a reminder that challenges and difficult times (the “rain”) are often followed by better, brighter moments (the “sunshine”).
At the conclusion of the session, Shri Himanshu Bhatt discussed how students can develop good habits and master the art of success in interviews. He provided valuable insights on how to prepare effectively, emphasizing the following points:
• Take it seriously: Treat the interview with the importance it deserves.
• Don’t act over smart: Be confident, but avoid arrogance or pretending to know more than you do.
• Know your resume: Be thoroughly familiar with the details of your resume, as interviewers often ask questions based on it.
• Research the company and job: Be well-prepared about the company, its culture, and the job role you are applying for.
• Practice: Rehearse common interview questions and refine your responses.
• Value those 15 to 20 minutes: Make the most of the interview time; every moment counts.
• Highlight your projects and internships: Be ready to discuss your academic projects and internships in detail.
• Dress code and conduct: Dress professionally and exhibit proper etiquette.
• Be honest and straightforward: Never lie or exaggerate; honesty is key to making a lasting impression.These practical tips were aimed at helping students perform better in interviews and develop a professional mindset.
He concluded by providing the invaluable insights on developing the right work habits and preparing for success in both life and interviews. Students actively engaged by asking questions such as, “How can we stay motivated during setbacks?” and “What are the most common mistakes made during interviews?” Shri Himanshu Bhatt addressed these by emphasizing self-motivation, continuous learning, and the importance of honesty and preparation in interviews. The session left students with practical advice and a clear understanding of how to cultivate habits that will serve them well in their professional journeys and set themselves on a path to extraordinary achievement.
