1. Be a risk taker
Taking a risk with utmost confidence is the key to make big returns. Ratan Tata once said that –
“I don’t believe in making the right decisions. I take decisions and then make them right.”
Don’t wait for the right moment; just make the moment right for you. To be a successful leader you must behold confidence to make tough decisions associated with risks. It’s your confidence that inspires others in taking decisions in risky situations. He once said –
“Ups and downs in life are very important to keep us going because a straight line even in an E.C.G means we are not alive.”
So you must keep going irrespective of the situation. This is what distinguishes a leader from others.
2. Be well read
Ratan Tata is well known for his intellect.
A great leader is one who is well-read and has an abundance of intellectual opulence. Well occupied with knowledge is an important trait of how well you can handle things and make others do so.
3. Be visionary
Work on creating new possibilities and opportunities for others. Always welcome innovation and new ideas. Ratan Tata’s vision of providing basic amenities in terms of conveyance for a family of four led to the invention of the cheapest new car Tata Nano.
Visionary aspects build motivations and thus create opportunities. He quoted that –
“The day I am not able to fly will be a sad day for me.”
If you have a vision for the future you can make impossible possible.
4. Be soft spoken and systematic
Always deals with situations with a calm and composed demeanor. Always be polite to people working along with you and below you. Such traits not only inspire others but also build stronger ties with employees and thus create a sense of respect for you.
On being compassionate Ratan Tata once said that –
“I admire people who are very successful. But if that success has been achieved through too much ruthlessness, then I may admire that person, but I can’t respect him.”
5. Own a positive attitude towards criticism
A leader should always accept criticism positively. Criticisms work as a medium to analyze your work through other’s eyes. If you can handle the criticism, you can establish yourself as a distinguished personality. Criticism ignites perseverance and new ideas.
Ratan Tata summarises this with a beautiful quote –
“Take the stones people to throw at you. And use them to build a monument.”
Thus a leader is one who can build an empire through critics.
6. Prioritize healthy team work
A leader must value the inputs of all employees and teammates. Healthy and positive teamwork promotes new and advance initiatives and cooperation among all. Ratan Tata said that –
“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together.”
A good leader should consider all team members in the decision-making process to achieve great heights with sustainability.
He further added-
“I have been constantly telling people to encourage people, to question the unquestioned and not to be ashamed to bring up new ideas, new processes to get things done.”
7. Handle your arrogance wisely
One of the best advice by Ratan Tata to become a successful leader and to refrain from destruction is to widen the horizon of your thoughts and enhance your mental opulence. Ratan Tata once said that –
“None can destroy iron, but its own rust can! Likewise, none can destroy a person but his own mindset can.”
There is a fine line difference between arrogance and pride. Pride makes you work constantly on being the best version of yourself. Arrogance makes you believe others as less important.
8. Be unique and modest
Have your own vision and passion for life. Don’t imitate others and their lifestyles. The one who imitates others can become successful for a short span of time but can’t go far. He said that –
“We live in a highly competitive world- and we Indians have to struggle to catch up. So modesty is necessary, even if there is a need for a certain amount of national pride.”
So take pride modestly in what you achieve.
9. Always stand up for right
A true leader is one who can muster courage to take right decisions with utmost confidence and sincerity. Your true legacy lies in this only; not in your power and wealth.
Ratan Tata said that the legacy that I would like to leave behind is a simple one that –
“I have always stood up for what I consider to be the right thing, and I have tried to be as fair and equitable as I could be.”
He further added that –
“power and wealth are not two of my main stakes.”