The Isha Leadership Academy held the decade edition of “Isha Insight: The DNA of Success” from 25 to 28 November 2021. In the last nine years, the program has positively impacted the lives and businesses of 2500+ C-level attendees from over 50 countries. This time, the program was attended by 126 participants from 20 countries.
The purpose of this 4-day intensive online program was to empower entrepreneurs and business leaders to scale up both their businesses and themselves. This year, in light of the dynamic and unprecedented situations being faced globally, the four action-packed days of Isha Insight were focused on “Rapid Change in Unpredictable Times.” The event was a gathering of forward thinking and successful business leaders, drawing from their lived experience and sharing stories of triumphs and challenges. It also included Yoga sessions, imparting tools for transformation to help the entrepreneur craft a life of balance and clarity. The participants’ involvement in the online program was as intense as any in-person event.
Sadhguru opened the program with a powerful talk on purpose, highlighting that purpose is beyond profit and that the aim of business is to touch and bring wellbeing to people’s lives. He explained that if one has a strong and inclusive purpose that is so vast that it could not be fulfilled in a lifetime, plans and possibilities would overflow. Sadhguru highlighted the unique position businesses are in to take on leadership roles, contribute to the market economy, and enrich people’s lives, but emphasized that leadership is about an inclusive vision which can ignite everyone. He said that the 21st century is about the power shifting from political leadership to business leadership, but business leaders have to move from profit to purpose.
Fueled by the fire of purpose, riveting sessions followed, with leaders at the top of their game sharing a wealth of experiences and insights. Up next, Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, the largest brokerage firm in India, spoke about his customer-first approach. He even revealed that Zerodha does not have revenue targets for its employees. Instead, by having the right goals, doing right by the customer, and maintaining a caring company culture, Nithin felt the journey of developing the business was far more enjoyable and effective. He closed his session expressing the need for more conscious business leaders in India.
Dr. R. S. Sodhi, Managing Director of Amul, gave a passionate talk, sharing knowledge gained over the accumulated 75 years of experience of his as well as of the legendary “Father of the White Revolution” in India, General Manager and later Chairman of the company, Verghese Kurien. He discussed the inclusive DNA of Amul and shared his secret to longevity in business: integrity. With “Value for many and value for money” at the core, Dr. Sodhi talked about developing such trust among customers and partners that they would not bother to look elsewhere.
The third day featured Pawan Kumar Goenka, former Managing Director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited. Technology, integrity, and the immense opportunities for businesses to take initiative and contribute to the country’s wellbeing were the main focus of his discussion. He spoke about ways in which the government can help facilitate business initiatives, and how business should step up and offer solutions. Consistent and constant learning was another of Pawan’s major insights. He encouraged the participants not to fall into the trap of thinking one already knows everything and being open to change and development.
Sadhguru closed the day by introducing the Conscious Planet movement. He spoke about the need to rejuvenate the soil with organic content and the impending challenge and risk of food shortage that we may face if we do not act. Without gloom or false optimism, but rather with a remarkable clarity, intensity, and warmth, Sadhguru talked about the wonderful opportunity we have to reach billions of people, and to hand over living soil as a legacy to future generations. He also discussed consciousness in more depth – speaking about how it is an inclusive dimension that is beyond memory – and the constraints of limited identity.
The final day featured a session looking at the development and impact of Isha Vidhya schools. From building trust with parents, to constructing school premises, to facilitating happy classrooms, volunteers shared their stories. Like a start-up, with limited resources and many challenges, the schools slowly grew. Now they shine as tremendous investments for the future – transforming the lives of thousands of children and families. Many participants were moved to tears hearing about Isha Vidhya, and seeing such a thriving real-life example of an inclusive vision and commitment.
