Leadership Journeys [146] - Sanjay Srivastava - ''It's always a series of small moments which end up making a big difference''

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.Dive into a compelling conversation with Sanjay Shrivastava, a seasoned business leader with over 25 years of experience in building, scaling, and transforming businesses. In this insightful interview, Sanjay shares the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from his early exposure to banking in agriculture to navigating the telecom revolution and spearheading 'Make in India' initiatives. Discover how he seamlessly transitioned across industries, learning valuable lessons along the way. Gain unique insights into the importance of empathy in leadership, the power of reflective conversations, and the art of leaving a significant and sustainable impact on businesses. Join us for an enriching dialogue that transcends typical career anecdotes and offers practical wisdom for anyone facing leadership challenges in today's dynamic business landscape. You can find Sanjay Srivastava at the below linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjays/https://twitter.com/Sanjay_SrivIn the interview, Sanjay shares"I specialize in building, scaling, and transforming businesses, a journey that spans over 25 years and different industries.""My early exposure to banking, especially in agriculture, ignited a spark to always seek the next big wave and work on it." "Combining my computer science engineering background with management gave me the grounding to see opportunities for growing businesses in and out of India." "In a new business, real insights come when you roll up your sleeves, do the groundwork, and interact with customers." "I come from an era where logging into international servers at 10 pm was the norm, and that experience shaped my understanding of technology's impact on customer lifecycle." "From the telecom revolution to 'Make in India,' each wave brought unique challenges in creating solutions that make a difference to customers and their businesses.""Taking a sabbatical is crucial for senior leaders to step back, evaluate capabilities, and connect the dots for the next wave in a new domain." "To move to the next wave, a leader's core skill set should include the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn, requiring dedicated time for reflection." "Empathy with customers, industry, and teams is the key to gaining insights not normally available, fostering genuine connections.""Ultimately, satisfaction comes from leaving a significant and sustainable impact on business, contributing to India's growth, GDP, and employment generation."