CEO NR NARAYANA MURTHY
Infosys is like my middle child, says NR Narayana Murthy
Maybe
it's his credo of simple living and higher thinking, reminiscent of
Gandhi. Maybe it's because he's come to be the face of India's
booming information technology sector. Or maybe it's the money he's
made for his shareholders, employees and anyone else lucky enough to
be associated with Infosys. But there's something about NR Narayana
Murthy that has always captured the Indian imagination.
The chairman of Infosys has been at the top spot of the India Inc's Most Powerful List more times than anyone else, and this year too, he has been voted Numero Uno.
In an interview with CD, India Most Powerful CEO talks about managing people and his legacy. Edited excerpts:
Why do you think people keep voting you India Inc's Most Powerful CEO?
It would be presumptuous of me to try and answer that. I'm just grateful for this honour and hope I'm deserving of it.
What would you like your legacy to be?
We demonstrated, for the first time in the history of independent India, that a set of ordinary, hard working people with strong values could create jobs, create wealth and distribute wealth on a large scale, all of it legally and ethically. Infosys demonstrated to the world that an Indian company could implement standards of quality, operations, finance that compare with the best. That is a legacy I am happy with.
Was your second stint as executive chairman different from the first?
Infosys is like my middle child, so when the Board invited me to return and add value to the company, I could not say no, though some people said there would be no upside for me in this. Leadership is about doing the right thing, even if it going against a vast number of naysayers and mediocre people. I took tough decisions in my second innings, just as in my first. It was no different.
How do you assess leadership potential?
The first requirement is courage. The second is the ability to craft a grand vision and carry people along towards that vision. That means being able to communicate that vision, with the tough things that go with it. A great leader also has the ability to make people an inch taller in his presence.
How important is financial performance to leadership?
Financial performance is important as an instrument to give back to society, in terms of jobs, taxes, higher education, image of India. A leader must be able to relate to society because it is an important stakeholder.
How important is image management for a leader?
It's important for leaders to realize that image management is an ingredient of leadership but image can't be wholly different from reality. In an environment where visibility is high and there are so many different information channels, leaders who try to be something they are not will be exposed. I came from a lower middle class background. When we had access to wealth, we decided to continue to live in a way that comes naturally to us.
What's your advice on managing people?
The chairman of Infosys has been at the top spot of the India Inc's Most Powerful List more times than anyone else, and this year too, he has been voted Numero Uno.
In an interview with CD, India Most Powerful CEO talks about managing people and his legacy. Edited excerpts:
Why do you think people keep voting you India Inc's Most Powerful CEO?
It would be presumptuous of me to try and answer that. I'm just grateful for this honour and hope I'm deserving of it.
What would you like your legacy to be?
We demonstrated, for the first time in the history of independent India, that a set of ordinary, hard working people with strong values could create jobs, create wealth and distribute wealth on a large scale, all of it legally and ethically. Infosys demonstrated to the world that an Indian company could implement standards of quality, operations, finance that compare with the best. That is a legacy I am happy with.
Was your second stint as executive chairman different from the first?
Infosys is like my middle child, so when the Board invited me to return and add value to the company, I could not say no, though some people said there would be no upside for me in this. Leadership is about doing the right thing, even if it going against a vast number of naysayers and mediocre people. I took tough decisions in my second innings, just as in my first. It was no different.
How do you assess leadership potential?
The first requirement is courage. The second is the ability to craft a grand vision and carry people along towards that vision. That means being able to communicate that vision, with the tough things that go with it. A great leader also has the ability to make people an inch taller in his presence.
How important is financial performance to leadership?
Financial performance is important as an instrument to give back to society, in terms of jobs, taxes, higher education, image of India. A leader must be able to relate to society because it is an important stakeholder.
How important is image management for a leader?
It's important for leaders to realize that image management is an ingredient of leadership but image can't be wholly different from reality. In an environment where visibility is high and there are so many different information channels, leaders who try to be something they are not will be exposed. I came from a lower middle class background. When we had access to wealth, we decided to continue to live in a way that comes naturally to us.
What's your advice on managing people?
You
need to start every transaction on a zero base. Don't bring in biases
from prior transactions. Base the transaction on facts. You can
disagree but you can't be disagreeable.
That's a very mathematical way of looking at people interactions...
I've always enjoyed mathematics. It is the most precise and concise way of expressing any idea. If we use facts, forecasting, pattern recognition, big data, the truth will come out. Mathematical models can be used to simplify complex things. For today's VUCA world, there's a branch of mathematics called Chaos Theory. There's Prob-Stats for uncertainty modeling. I've used computer science, maths and physics in everyday life. I've surrounded myself with some very smart people who do the same.
That's a very mathematical way of looking at people interactions...
I've always enjoyed mathematics. It is the most precise and concise way of expressing any idea. If we use facts, forecasting, pattern recognition, big data, the truth will come out. Mathematical models can be used to simplify complex things. For today's VUCA world, there's a branch of mathematics called Chaos Theory. There's Prob-Stats for uncertainty modeling. I've used computer science, maths and physics in everyday life. I've surrounded myself with some very smart people who do the same.
How
stressful is it, leading a company like Infosys?
The biggest stress in India is dealing with the government. It's especially stressful for someone like me who likes to get on with it, move fast. But those in government are not used to quick resolution of issues.
Have you ever sought spiritual succor in times of stress?
I'm a karmayogi. I believe work itself should bring happiness, mental peace and a good night's sleep. I'm a devotee of Lord Raghavendra of Mantralaya, but that's personal.
Many believe you should be President of India...
I'm 68 years old. We currently have an excellent president and by the time he fi nishes his term I'll be 71. We need to give responsibility to younger people now. Every Indian needs to work 16 hours a day if we are to develop as a nation. Younger people have the energy, they can do it better.
The biggest stress in India is dealing with the government. It's especially stressful for someone like me who likes to get on with it, move fast. But those in government are not used to quick resolution of issues.
Have you ever sought spiritual succor in times of stress?
I'm a karmayogi. I believe work itself should bring happiness, mental peace and a good night's sleep. I'm a devotee of Lord Raghavendra of Mantralaya, but that's personal.
Many believe you should be President of India...
I'm 68 years old. We currently have an excellent president and by the time he fi nishes his term I'll be 71. We need to give responsibility to younger people now. Every Indian needs to work 16 hours a day if we are to develop as a nation. Younger people have the energy, they can do it better.
By
Dibeyendu Ganguly, ET140905
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