Rohtak, Haryana: The Indian Institute of Management, Rohtak, hosted its annual Leadership Summit on 16th December 2024. The Summit, centred around the theme “Building the Future: Key Leadership Competencies for a Changing World”, was graced by the distinguished founders of some of India’s most emerging and innovative companies, including Nexus Power, GoStops, Zeebu, Stratview Research, and Sassafras. The event was attended by more than 300 students and faculty members, providing them with networking opportunities with corporate leaders.
Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, Director, IIM Rohtak, officially inaugurated the summit. In his welcome address, he thanked the guests for their invaluable presence and contributions and exhorted students to learn from their life experiences. He acknowledged the transformational nature of leadership, stating “Thriving for leaders focuses on qualitative outcomes, not just quantitative results.” He further highlighted the critical role of adaptability in an ever-changing world and underscored the need for mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and strategic alignment in leadership. Prof. Sharma concluded by encouraging attendees to embrace these qualities, which will prepare them to lead with purpose and resilience.
The first panel, “Adapt and Thrive: Leaders Embracing Agility in a Dynamic Market,” explored the role of leaders in successfully steering firms through the complexities of a rapidly evolving business environment. The panellists emphasised that agility and innovation are critical to thrive in today’s market, where qualitative outcomes and a growth mindset are more valuable than mere numbers. The panellists underscored how embracing challenges leads to creative solutions and urged leaders to stay proactive and adaptable in uncertain situations. The session concluded by reinforcing the importance of aligning tactical decisions with long-term visions, fostering resilience, and achieving sustainable growth.
The following panel, “Future-Proofing the Workforce: Founders’ Role in Shaping Tomorrow’s Talent,” emphasised the pivotal role of mentorship for developing employees. The panellists stressed that effective guidance would help people navigate challenges and make resolute decisions by fostering adaptability and emotional intelligence. They emphasised the role of decentralisation in enabling organisational growth by stimulating both innovation and efficiency. Through the promotion of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment, founders create a culture that drives sustainable growth and innovation, aligning with the summit’s theme of leadership competencies for a changing world.
The third panel, “Strategic Leadership: Navigating the Demands of a Fast-Paced World,” discussed the dynamic challenges confronting businesses in today’s world and the need for agile and creative solutions to deal with the same. The panelists highlighted the multiple technological, ecological and social challenges confronting businesses today and stressed that all threats are also opportunities for growth and renewal. Overall, the panelists emphasised that students should be adaptable and embrace team development and unlearning to exploit new opportunities and thrive in the dynamic environment of the future.
The panel discussions were in alignment with Prof. Dheeraj Sharma’s insight, “Thriving for leaders focuses on qualitative outcomes, not just quantitative results,” as each panel emphasised agility, innovation, and a growth mindset. The event concluded with a vote of thanks that emphasized the role of problem solvers and stressed the increasing impact of intrapreneurs in all organizations, big and small. Hence, a founder’s mentality is increasingly becoming a necessary skill for people entering the rapidly evolving workplace of today.
IIM Rohtak, a premier institute of national importance, currently enrolls over 1,600 students across its diverse programs and recently achieved AMBA accreditation, placing it among the top 2% of management institutes worldwide. With over 75% female representation in the past three years and students hailing from over 30 Indian states and Union Territories, the institute epitomises diversity and academic excellence. Offering eight unique programs designed to cater to students from varied academic and socio-economic backgrounds, the institute adopts a multidisciplinary approach to prepare future business leaders.