When we met Tarun Sawhney, Joint Managing Director of Triveni Engineering and Industries Limited, we were not sure what to expect. We only knew that he was one of the youngest leaders within his organization, so we wondered how this might influence his views of leadership. In this ‘View from the Top’ interview he tells us how he motivates his staff, and reminds us why we must always be realistic and find ways to improve our approaches to sustain development.

Here is a snapshot of our conversation:

You are one of the youngest leaders of the organization. What is the secret behind this success?

Training! Understanding and utilizing skills honed over a period of time to manage the overall business. Hard work has also played a vital role in managing the required business dynamics.

What do you do to inspire your staff to stay motivated and committed to the strategic direction the company is taking?

We are a company of 13 manufacturing units/sales and services centers in over 30 locations in India, with a workforce of 6,000 people. We are engaged in diverse operations, therefore, it is important to understand the basic needs of our staff and keep them engaged in the overall business objectives.

Being able to visit people and plants on a periodic basis, spending quality time with them, including people on the shop floors, and strengthening relationships with farmers, and interacting with mid-management as well as customers is key.

What advice would you give to anyone taking on a leadership role?

Be a realist. Embrace change and work towards converting negatives into positives. Find ways to improve on sustainable development.

For more leadership insights, read the full interview with Tarun and other key leaders across the Asia-Pacific region here.