“The seat of knowledge is in the head, of wisdom, in the heart.”
– William Hazlitt
Is effective leadership merely about strategic decisions, or does it encompass empathy and the ability to forge meaningful connections? Imagine a leader who embodies both mind and heart in their approach, their mere presence an enabler for those around them. Sounds intriguing?
This week, we had the sheer pleasure of listening to Mr. Verghese K Jacob, an exemplary leader who inspired us in so many ways. Mr. Jacob is an Electronics Engineer with an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur (1979). With 43 remarkable years, he’s mastered both corporate and social domains. From pivotal roles at Godrej, including Head of Marketing, Machine Tools division, to CEO of a joint venture, Mr. Verghese’s work has made a tremendous impact in diverse realms. Transitioning to the social sector, he guided Foundations and enterprises. At present, he serves as a Director, Mentor, and active contributor to CSR programs.
In conversation with Avrril Quadros, Mr. Verghese talked about his outstanding journey through the corporate and social sectors, the holistic leadership approach he adopts, and what kept him going. When asked about how he manages to do it all, Mr. Verghese, with utmost humility said, “We don’t have to compartmentalize our lives and say that work means only work. We can do everything parallelly and we can do it with excellence.”
As the webinar progressed, I had goosebumps hearing Mr. Verghese’s sheer length and breadth of experience and how his humility and kindness remained intact. If his words weren’t inspirational enough, the chat box was filled with praises from people who have worked closely with Mr. Verghese, or even just crossed paths with him. One of the comments read, “Have known you for over 40 years. Even so, I have discovered so much more about you to admire and emulate in the last 40 mins. Truly inspiring.”
Webinar Highlights
Here are some of the key themes that were explored during the webinar:
- Career Transition & Coaching
- Journey from Academia to Social Impact: Mr. Verghese’s Insights
- Environment, Kindness, and Philanthropy: Action for Change
- 6 Sigma NGO Model in Rural Sector
- Motivational Shift: From Corporates to Social Sector
- Positive Attitude amidst Life’s Challenges
- Coaching for Social Sector Growth & Empathy
- NGOs, Technology, Sustainability & Development
- Emotions, Risks, and Fortitude
My Takeaway
This was by far the most endearing webinar I have been a part of. I couldn’t help but wonder how one is never, ever too small to make a difference. The biggest takeaway from this webinar for me is that small things add up to become bigger and any action, no matter how small, doesn’t ever go unnoticed. In the grand scheme of things, your contributions matter. I will encourage you to watch this webinar to know more about the stellar work done by Mr. Verghese. By his mere presence, you will get the inspiration to get out there and do your bit. After all, isn’t that all that matters? 
What a true Hero’s Journey this is! What are your thoughts on leading with the heart and mind? Tell us in the comments section below or feel free to share your thoughts with us on CoachNook.
