PodChats for FutureCIO: Practical leadership qualities in times of crisis

According to John F. Kennedy, the 35th U.S. president, crisis when written Chinese comprises two brush strokes: one representing danger and the other opportunity.The past two years have proven that humans will adapt to the changes to survive, and in many cases thrive. Businesses that refuse to adapt will naturally suffer the most and longest during the crisis. Those able to pivot quickly will realise new opportunities await them. Indeed, the pandemic has proven to be an opportunity as much as a struggle for survival. Mergers & Acquisitions, for example, are at an all-time high.Of course, when you are dealing with something, there will be resistance as there will be circumstances requiring you to test new ideas. Not every situation has a proven methodology for tackling it. Sometimes, you will have to try out an idea if it works, or doesn’t, for the condition in front of us.Srinivasan Venkat Padmanabhan, chairman of the Manas Group, looked back at the time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as a period when physical travel was a requisite of good business practice. 1.              Describe for us how leaders behaved prior to the pandemic2.              What do you think are the 3 most significant qualities that stood out in 2020 and even pivot the business moving forward and where we are today?3.              What are your expectations for this year and the years to come in terms of what business leaders are expected of?4.              What are your aspirations for 2022?