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Thank you to the 1646 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions! I hope reading 7 Questions with
 

Virag Pant

helps you in your leadership.
 
Cheers,
Jonno

Virag Pant

Virag Pant

Name: Virag Pant


Title: National Head


Organisation: Aasaanjobs (A BetterPlace company )

17 years of hands-on experience in Business Development, Client Servicing, Key Account Management, Client Mining, Centralized Operations (Payroll, Pan-India Statutory Compliance & Regulatory Consulting) & Recruitment (Online and Offline) . My experience has been around understanding talent needs of the organization and developing capabilities / solutions to infuse the best talent for organization’s growth. I have hired across Internet Industry, IT Services, FMCG & Financial Services organizations where human capital is the most critical asset .

Currently restructuring recruitment in Blue collar domain, building large scale delivery capability, Talent attraction and Employer Branding, Executive Recruitment, and Program Management, implementation of regional and global transformation initiatives, deployment of recruitment technology solutions and building high performance teams.

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Two big challenges characterize leadership today. One is the need to juggle a growing series of paradoxical demands (do more with less; cut costs but innovate; think globally, act locally). The other is the unprecedented pace of “disruptive change,” which speeds up the interaction of these demands and simultaneously increases the pressure on organizations to adapt.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

The zeal to outperform and lead business with my own brand name within the organisation was the major reason of this push , with being a Frontline salesman for almost 8 years it took me decent time after proving multiple time to quickly transform into a people leader and gradually enabling people and processes as the foundation of my work ethics principle . The ethical approach has helped emerge as a Satisfied Winner

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Weekdays focusses on prioritizing productivity and well-being. Upon waking up, I start with a morning routine that includes news , walk and a cup of tea . I review my schedule, prioritize tasks, and tackle the most important ones first. Throughout the day, I allocate focused time for work, take short breaks to recharge, and engage in meetings and collaboration (Trying meeting time not more than 4 hours a day) . As the evening approaches, I wind down work-related activities, transition to personal time, and disconnect from work devices. Take a long walk in the evening to evaluate how am i doing .

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

I heard this story and realised the team needs clarity and motivation .So the story goes One day, a centipede was complaining to the wise old owl. “My feet are killing me. Every day. All the time.” The owl thought for a moment, blinked, and said “Well, if you were a sparrow, you’d have only two legs, and just think how much better you’d feel.” The centipede was thrilled. “A sparrow….great. How do I become a sparrow?”

The owl blinked again, turned his head and said “Don’t ask ME. I just deal in concepts… Remember, success is not a sprint but a marathon. Consistency fuels gradual progress and sustainable growth. Embrace the journey, staying committed to your vision and purpose. Small, consistent steps forward will eventually lead to significant leaps. Do not just share visions without a path

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

"Extreme Ownership"by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin is taking absolute responsibility for everything that impacts your or your team’s mission. This includes challenges, successes, failures, and everything in between. With extreme ownership, you can start solving problems and stop playing the blame game.Leaders must have a resolute belief in the team’s mission. They must also communicate the strategy very clearly to subordinates and allow them to ask questions until they also believe in the mission and strategy. Finally, the leader needs to continue listening and supporting subordinates in order to maintain belief and ensure flawless execution.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Being a leader is more than running meetings and managing a team. It’s a skill that takes a lifetime to master, and there will always be room to grow as a mentor, coach and source of inspiration to your employees. So invest in Yourself and Your People You have to do the inner work in order to show up at your best for both yourself and your people. Invest in your learning, personal development and skill set. There is always room for growth, and you have to make growth a priority as a leader and as a business owner if you want to succeed. Also, invest in your people because they are your greatest asset! -

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

While interacting with some of the global leaders across the continents I realised Cultures differ in their levels of diversity and inclusion. Inclusive cultures foster an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are valued, leading to enhanced creativity and innovation. On the other hand, monocultural workplaces may have a narrower range of perspectives and may be less adaptable to change. While culture can define personalities and perspectives, it's essential to recognize that individuals within a culture are diverse and may exhibit variations in their behavior and thinking.

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