Brain Box : The Leadership Podcast

In the season 20 premiere, the show features Manish Mohta, Managing Director of Learning Spiral, known for his extensive entrepreneurial experience. The discussion revolves around his diverse business interests in steel abrasives, thermal power generation, and AI-driven data factories. Manish shares his mission of creating scalable impact through various ventures, including Learning Spiral's focus on secure and scalable online assessments. He highlights the significance of enhancing IT infrastructure in educational institutions to provide them 'digital superpowers.' The conversation extends to the future of AI in remote proctoring, the role of big data in education, and the evolution of EdTech. Manish also shares practical examples of successful digital transformations in educational assessments, emphasizing the need for impactful and ethical EdTech practices.Timestamps:00:23 Manish Mohta's Diverse Entrepreneurial Journey01:23 The Mission Behind Learning Spiral02:39 AI and the Future of Remote Proctoring07:21 Big Data and Analytics in Education09:16 The Future of EdTech and Online Education11:21 Impact of Learning Spiral on Public Sector Education14:00 The Story Behind the Name 'Learning Spiral'14:49 Final Thoughts and Future Contributions to EdTech16:13 Conclusion

In this episode, we delve deep into the concepts of transformation with Lior Arussy, one of the world's leading customer experience and business transformation experts. Lior shares insights from his latest book, 'Dare to Author,' and discusses how shifting your mindset from victimhood to heroism can reshape your personal and professional narratives. Join us for a conversation loaded with actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and expert advice on sales, marketing, and thought leadership.Timestamps:01:01 Meet Lior Arussy: A Customer Experience Expert01:38 The Genesis of 'Dare to Author'03:27 The Importance of Authoring Your Life Story04:44 Understanding Victimhood and Change06:00 Cultural and Societal Influences on Victimhood07:58 Identifying and Overcoming Limiting Narratives12:04 Practical Examples of Transformation14:24 The Power of Listening and Asking Questions20:35 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways- Subscribe for more episodes on leadership, marketing, and personal growth.#Leadership #Podcast #ThoughtLeadership #branding #marketing #sales #startup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder #personalbranding

Join us in this riveting episode as we welcome Teresa Agovino, the first social entrepreneur on our show, who has dedicated her career to promoting sustainable tourism across the globe. Discover Teresa's inspiring journey as an environmental engineer who started her career with the United Nations, working on water treatment projects in Africa, and later expanding her efforts to South America and Asia. Learn about her philosophy on reducing environmental footprints and creating positive social impacts. Teresa also shares her experiences with various NGOs, the complexities of volunteering, and her upcoming move to India to continue her work in sustainable tourism. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about sustainability, travel, and making a difference in the world. Timestamps: 00:21 The Footprint Philosophy 01:36 Journey as an Environmental Engineer 04:23 Sustainable Tourism and the United Nations 07:16 Challenges in Volunteer Associations 12:50 The Call to India 16:12 Sustainability Certifications in Tourism 19:53 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, we host Ratna Viswanathan, the first Indian CEO of the social impact organization, Reach To Teach, funded by the Larry Ellison Foundation. Ratna shares her experience transitioning from a 21-year career in civil service to leading significant changes in the development and education sectors. She discusses the importance of community engagement, designing for scale, and fostering partnerships with government entities. Ratna emphasizes the critical role of leadership in both government and social enterprises, shares valuable insights on improving education in low-resource environments, and highlights the importance of passion, patience, and flexible policies within the social sector. With a mission to drive substantial impact, Reach2Teach has already positively affected the lives of 8.2 million students in India. Timestamps: 00:59 Ratna Viswanathan's Career Journey 03:06 Challenges and Insights in Government and Development Sectors 04:33 Focus on Education Sector and Community Building 07:27 Scaling Education Initiatives 15:30 Leadership and Management in Social Enterprises 23:47 Advice for Aspiring Social Impact Enthusiasts 26:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In Episode 92, we dive deep into the essence of company culture and alignment with special guests Sirisha and Harish, co-authors of the acclaimed book 'Hope is Not a Strategy'. Sirisha shares her experiences from her Nehru Fulbright Scholarship at Carnegie Mellon and her insights from interning at Zappos. Harish discusses the importance of alignment in leadership, drawing from his journey with 'choose to Thinq'. They introduce the Dilemma Resolution Framework (DRF) and debunk common myths about company culture. The discussion emphasizes the deliberate effort needed to maintain and evolve a company's culture while aligning it with long-term strategies. This episode is a must-watch for founders, leaders, and anyone interested in organizational culture. Timestamps: 00:41 Meet the Authors: Sirisha and Harish 02:13 The Importance of Alignment in Leadership 04:22 Understanding the Dilemma Resolution Framework (DRF) 10:05 Balancing Short-term Wins with Long-term Goals 11:08 Debunking Myths About Culture 15:16 The Role of Founders in Shaping Culture 24:15 The Pitfalls of Copying Values 26:11 Final Takeaways for Founders

Join us for the premiere of Season 19, recorded from our new podcast studio, as we sit down with Manish Dabkara, the Chairman and Managing Director of EKI Energy. Discover the journey of transforming a company setup in a non-metro to a 1000 crore enterprise. We discuss the basics of carbon credits, and the future of the carbon market. Manish shares insights on sustainability, the impact of international agreements like the Paris Agreement, and the importance of carbon credits in achieving India's net-zero emission goals by 2070. Learn about EKI Energy's role in the industry, their collaborations, and the pressing need for global climate action. Don't miss this insightful and educational discussion! Timestamps: 00:22 Meet the Guest: Manish Dabkara 01:12 Journey to Carbon Credits 01:59 Understanding Carbon Credits 03:09 Achievements and Recognition 06:28 India's Carbon Market and Policies 14:56 Future of Carbon Markets 22:26 Conclusion and Farewell

In this Season 18 finale, award winning host & serial entrepreneur, Kaushik Bose, hosts finance veteran Iftikhar Shaikh, who brings nearly three decades of experience from leading financial institutions. The dialogue dives into complex topics like life insurance, investment strategies, asset allocation, and the impact of economic conditions on investments. Iftikhar shares valuable insights on the importance of discussing life insurance, the pros and cons of ULIPs, the principles of successful investing in stocks, and the power of compounding. Additionally, he sheds light on real estate investment, navigating economic downturns, and the significance of goal-setting methodologies like OKRs in personal and professional life. Iftikhar also explores leadership qualities and the making of leaders, concluding with profound advice for future leaders. This episode is a rich source of financial wisdom, aiming to simplify finance for the audience and encourage informed decision-making. Timestamps: 01:03 The Importance of Discussing Life Insurance 02:46 Navigating Insurance and Investment Choices 04:03 Understanding Asset Allocation and Mutual Funds 05:03 Insights into Stock Market Trading 06:26 The Power of Saving and Investment Strategies 09:26 Real Estate Investment: Timing and Strategy 12:35 Navigating Post-COVID Economic Challenges 15:07 The Dubai Experience 17:40 Implementing OKRs in Personal and Professional Life 19:58 Leadership: Traits, Development, and Advice 21:22 Final Thoughts and Takeaways for Future Leaders Pls note that all views shared are his personal ones and by no means reflect his current or any past organizations that he's worked with.

In the 89th episode of "Brain Box", we have an amazing chat with guest Nimisha Morkonda, who has extensive experience in AI and data science from working with large corporations. We discuss the history, misconceptions, and current trends of artificial intelligence (AI), where she elaborates on AI's roots dating back to the 1950s, its parallels with sci-fi literature & early prosthetics development, highlighting that the ideas of manipulating devices with brain signals are not recent. The conversation shifts to the hype around AI in modern business, addressing the oversimplification of AI's capabilities and the emerging issue of AI overload, especially in education and startups. Nimisha advises startups on the practical considerations of implementing AI and discusses the ethical and privacy concerns raised by AI applications. The role of AI in manufacturing and corporate adoption is also discussed, emphasizing the need for leadership to foster AI understanding and integration. Lastly, Nimisha shares her involvement in women's empowerment through scholarships and mentorship for disadvantaged women in India, showcasing the transformative power of education and technology. Timestamps: 00:35 Demystifying AI: A Historical Perspective 04:01 The Hype and Reality of AI in Today's World 05:56 AI Overload and Its Impact on Education and Startups 08:32 Ethical and Privacy Concerns in the Age of AI 11:44 AI in Startups: Challenges and Advice 16:36 AI's Role in Manufacturing and Leadership Adoption 20:27 Bridging Academia and Industry: The Future of AI 22:13 Empowering Women Through Education and Mentorship Pls note that all views shared are her personal ones and by no means reflect her current or any past organizations that she's worked with.

Welcome to Episode 87! In this special face-to-face interview, our guest, Sudarshan Sarma, former CEO of Carz on Rent and a seasoned leader with experience in Flipkart, Google, and GM, shares profound insights into the auto industry's future and essential leadership traits. Join us as we delve into the intersection of AI and automotive innovation, discussing how AI is reshaping driving experiences, maintenance, and production logistics. We also explore the electrification landscape, debating the future of EVs and the critical considerations surrounding infrastructure, sustainability, and market dynamics, especially in India. Additionally, Sudarshan shares invaluable leadership lessons, emphasizing empathy, clarity of vision, and customer focus as essential traits for effective leadership. He underscores the importance of customer-centricity and cross-functional collaboration in driving business growth and adaptation to evolving market demands. Discover how marketing strategies have evolved from placement-based buying to audience-based targeting, leveraging AI and data insights to deliver more relevant and impactful brand experiences across diverse platforms. Tune in for an engaging discussion that traverses the realms of technology, leadership, and industry dynamics, offering actionable insights for leaders and enthusiasts alike. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! Subscribe now and stay tuned for more thought-provoking episodes.

In the Season 18 curtain raiser, our host, Kaushik Bose talks with Pallavi Jha, who is the Chairperson and Managing Director of Dale Carnegie Training India, with over 21 years of experience leading their India operations. They discuss a lot about leadership (including introverted leaders), AI, and their impact on organizations. Overall, the discussion offers insight into developing strong, ethical leadership amidst technological transformations. They begin by discussing how perspectives on leadership have changed globally and in India over the past two decades. Pallavi notes impacts from globalization, technology advances, workforce demographic shifts, and India's emergence on the global stage. She debunks myths that leaders must be extroverted visionaries and says leadership is situational - we can all lead in different contexts. The discussion then touches on identifying high-potential leaders. The focus then changes to the effects and opportunities of artificial intelligence. Pallavi sees both risk and opportunity for leaders in AI's disruption of businesses and jobs. For employees, she advocates addressing fears through education, reskilling and psychological safety in change processes. For HR leaders facing new tech demands, Pallavi recommends clarity on AI uses and change management support.