Name: Dr. Suresh Gaur

Title: P R Guru

The world's most accomplished blogger, recognized for setting unprecedented records in the blogging sphere, on India's Independence Day, August 15, 2024, he celebrated a major milestone by completing 150 blog posts on public relations, solidifying his reputation as the "PR Guru" and created an Official World Record of Maximum number of Public Relations Blogs by an Individual, Golden Book of World Record Holder of Fastest Hundred Blogs on Public Relations written by an Individual, India Book of Records Holder of writing and uploading the maximum number of blogs on Public Relations, Author of 4 books on Public Relations and event management, WAHSTORY Spotlight Awards 2024 Winner, contributed eight (8) chapters on different aspects of PR in six (6) different books edited by renowned media educators of India, and a regular blogger on Public Relations, written and uploaded 165 blogs (www.sureshgaurprguru.blogspot.com) as of now, Dr. Suresh Gaur, widely acknowledged as P R GURU in World (as per Google Search), is a PR & Communication Expert, having over 36 years of experience in PR and communication including 16 years of teaching Public Relations, Advertising and Event Management at top notch media colleges of Delhi NCR as a Visiting Professor.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope Suresh's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

To build trust as a leader, I communicate transparently and lead by example. Empower employees, recognize their contributions, and foster a positive work culture. With customers, deliver on promises, listen actively, and provide value-added services. For other stakeholders, I’m accountable, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate integrity. Consistency, admitting mistakes, showing appreciation, staying approachable, and leading with empathy are my essential principles. By implementing these practices, I, as a leader, is able to establish and maintain trust with employees, customers, and stakeholders, driving success and growth.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

For me, a ‘vision’ defines a desired future state, while a ‘mission’ outlines the purpose, goals, and objectives of my work. Together, they provide inspiration, direction, and focus, guiding decision-making, strategic planning, and communication to me. In real-world business, vision and mission are used to drive innovation, growth, and performance measurement, while also attracting and retaining top talent and conveying brand identity. Effective use of these two can help an organization to stay focused on its purpose and aspirations, ultimately driving success and growth.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

Leaders can empower their team members by giving autonomy, fostering a positive environment, developing skills and abilities, leading by example, and creating a sense of purpose. This can be achieved by delegating tasks, encouraging open communication, providing training and development opportunities, and recognizing achievements.

Leaders should also demonstrate empowerment, be approachable and transparent, and admit mistakes. By clearly communicating the organization's vision and mission, helping team members set goals, and celebrating successes, leaders can create a positive and productive work environment that empowers team members to grow and thrive.

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

I attribute my success to my innate abilities and self-driven determination. Without any formal coaches or mentors, I've relied on my natural talent and passion for continuous learning to shape me into the professional I am today.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

To maintain focus as a leader, it's essential for me to eliminate distractions, set clear priorities, stay organized, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. These involve learning to say no, avoiding multitasking, and minimising meetings. I set clear goals, identify key objectives, and focus on high-impact activities. I prioritise and manage my tasks effectively and avoid procrastination. I review goals, seek feedback, and stay adaptable. By implementing these strategies, I am able to stay focused, achieve goals, and drive desired success.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

Effective and strategic planning is crucial for my success in PR. I plan for a week, a month, and a year ahead by reviewing goals and priorities, then I set clear objectives, schedule tasks, and deadlines. For monthly planning, I align objectives with my targets, break down goals into tasks, and track my progress. For yearly planning, I align objectives with my long-term vision and develop a strategic plan, and establish KPIs.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

To delegate effectively, young leaders should understand the importance of delegation and identify tasks that others can do better, such as repetitive or time-consuming tasks. They should choose the right person based on their skills, strengths, and workload, communicate clearly, establish check-in points, and empower decision-making.

Leaders should monitor progress, provide constructive feedback, and celebrate successes, while resisting the urge to micromanage and focusing on outcomes. By trusting their team members and being patient and flexible, young leaders can develop their team, free up their time, and achieve their goals through effective delegation.