The main characteristics of effective leadership are intelligence, integrity or loyalty, mystique, humor, discipline, courage, self sufficiency and confidence.-James L. Fisher. Fits perfectly into the bill is Shailendra Singh's, Joint managing director, Percept Holdings. Making of leader unfolds his experiences to Nidhi Jain.

Lessons learnt so far

The ultimate lesson I learnt,when I plunged into business was not to trust anybody, but the only way I want to do business is by trusting people, the only way I get satisfied is when one loose. I trust everybody blindly and have great time doing and that also means, one should use skills to safeguard interest.
Secondly, the most crucial thing is never say die spirit, everybody has that but I think in Harry and me both brothers have in the blood stream, courtesy our lifestyles, we are very sporting people ,and in a sport one always have a spirit when it's known that in the last ball the game can turn, even if its four sets down or three, in a big game one can come to five set tie breaker if one is an athlete and the mind is also used like one ,in that case one fight that last minute helps in business. If one loose one is sporting instead of brooding and crying is a fantastic lesson to learn in business.
Third thing is a strategy of being an underdog. I like to strike from the back. People most least except is when one should succeed. It's focus more on the product and realities than the packaging.

Method of pacifying madness

I try and most of the time-manage to have a good time of what I am doing. My entire thought process is the journey we are living, one must enjoy because destination is unknown we all might land up in ICU.People around me like wannabes, achievers all seem to be running towards some destination, they don't have a clue where it is .We must give it our best and use all the skills! Try having a good time doing it and that mountain of a task look like nothing. If it goes with the flow, we don't realize what we have pulled off. That's what I do in anything I lay my hands on. There's no task which is impossible, there is no agenda which is boring, there is no meeting with a pressure therefore I don't come to work. Live life in a manner it's meant to be lived .I am not here to survive I see 99% people surviving in Mumbai?we should live it.

People that influenced

My dad for his discipline, never say die spirit, my brother for his wisdom. I have looked up to athletes like Kapil Dev, my best friend, a great opportunity to look up to an athlete to be your friend. I look up to Michael Douglas as an actor, for his entire persona, his personality, he is a fantastic orator. A person like Sylvester Stallone was very high level of inspiration to me for his movie, Rocky. We aware that he is going out win in round 13 but we watch all 13 rounds, to know what's going to happen next .I haven't found an icon who gets me going because most of the people I have seen are not complete achievers if the business is very rich, they are unhappy. An athlete like Borris Becker is whom I turned on by. They are business models; one man show conduct in industry. I try translating that into business.

Strategic alliance

Everything is a game. Both I and Harry who runs the business have different perspective and whole thing is a game .Game means strategy, game, passion, plan and the end should be victory. That's how I plan my moves .Ingredients, which is same in business and sports is- passion. If we don't have the passion, it's better don't do it .I try bring all that strategy of sports into business that helps our organization to be healthy, sporting and fun loving.

Changing rules of work
The philosophy of Percept is -the only constant is change, we should listen, understand with a difference, what entire country is witnessing in an accelerated manner now. Every moment of our life, lifestyles, TV, technology, sexual/physical habits, food have changed, that's life. We mark a change.

Ensuring that team delivers
We have got in our old set of rules. I am very lunatic, if we don't challenge ourselves how can we challenge the system, if push comes to me I make sure I do it. I get inspired by Lance Armstrong, a simple person with normal body and great work .It's all about making mind. I add every new thing to my life which excites me. I set targets for my team that they can deliver, it's important you set a reasonable target. It's no point asking Harbajan Singh to bat, he is a good baler, should only ball .Likewise, it's important to know the potential of the executive. Get the best within his means and set a target, also show him the path. One has to stop being a dictator and demand Rome. Give him an army of half a billion soldiers with arms and ammunition.
With credentials of Percept, we show executive the path to achieve target then we let them be independent, interference is not fair way. We supervise that path periodically to ensure that we are running the right direction.

Fun part of your business
Fun part are relationships, we are fortunate that to be in the business were in any point of time have 6000 global relationships we maintain, that's the key factor. My business arouse me to meet people, talk to them exchange views and have fun.

I am never short of energy, without gas we can't drive a car, by God's grace I maintain a decent health, a routine where I don't like to sleep more than four hours. The focus, if energy is distributed in wrong directions it's wasted. I know where I am heading, I have 40 odd different meetings in a day, but I still put energy and focus into each meeting the way its required. I know what I want.

Roshini Bakshi, Director-Consumer Products, Walt Disney India offers a peek into her treasured jewelry collection to Nidhi Jain.

Whenever I go abroad, I keep at least one evening free to browse around stores. I like checking out things. I pick up pieces which generally you would not see. It's unique to my taste rather than suiting a particular dress since I never look at it in that fashion. If I find it different I just pick it up.

I have pick up many pieces from Italy, especially from Emrano, because there are lots of glass works there. I love the way they make glass pieces. I collect a lot of trinkets from London as they have jewelry from all over the world; there is a lot more variety there. I have different kinds of jewelry picked up from Hong Kong, since it's a gateway for Korea, Taiwan, and China. Also, when I went to South Africa, I picked up a few. And there is of course India.

Strangely, I do not do too much of investment in traditional gold with stone work in it because my parents taught me that it doesn't have value. I keep getting the most beautiful pieces from collections of Roopa Vohra and something authentic from Tribhuvandas like gold. I will never buy anything which is in a shape of a pipe (kada) because inside it's hollow. It's supposed to have no value at all.

My mother buys tons of jewelry in gold and nothing else. She taught me how to choose flawless diamonds, how to look at it in the light etc. I know a lot of designer stores have come up but I still go back to places I feel sure about.

There is a store in south called Baba Lal which has been around for over 100 years. I picked up all my diamonds from there. I know that any stage I can go back and there's a quality to it. Similarly I never buy pure gold from abroad. When I travel abroad I experiment a lot in stones, while in India I go for 22 K.

I started picking up lots of silver jewelry when I was in college. I am fairly experimental with jewelry and with clothes. I am willing to experiment as long as it does not look out of my age. As to how I keep up with fashion, I look at magazines, fashion trends. Ultimately it's about our own taste; it has to suit our body type. I hate wearing something just because it's in fashion.

It's not easy to take care of jewelry Firstly they have to be kept separately from each other. Diamonds should not rub together; I keep all my valuables in a box with cotton.

I would love to experiment with the work of Notandaas and Popleys, if somebody gives it me but I would not buy it or invest in it. Experimentation is very different from buying and keeping.

I am very happy with what I have collected since it's about personal satisfaction. I feel very satisfied and happy when I get compliments from my friends on the design and beauty of my jewelry

Best compliment - 'How have you been able to pick these?' I am just left thrilled.

Roshni's Tips for when you're on a Shopping Spree:
@Whenever you travel, look around. There are no destinations.
@Every place has a unique value.
@ If you look out for what fashion magazines have to offer, they will take you back to stores. It will never be unique, that you can proudly call your choice.

For Adlabs Chairman, Manmohan Shetty, that clients and customer satisfaction are topmost priorities underpins some of the experiences from a long span of 30 years that he shares with Nidhi Jain.

Lessons you learnt
The main thing that I feel personally is that customer satisfaction is very important for the growth of the industry. One should not compromise on any kind of service provided. In every area of business I worked in these past years, only good work is appreciated. Don't compromise on services. I will not compromise on any service and would not allow my company to do so.

I have been lucky in some ways. I have been working in the same company since the last 30 years and most of the people are still the same. After Reliance came in 2005 July, new people came in management. It has been a blessing in disguise for the company because with Reliance came a lot of money and Brand value and our visibility became larger.

It has helped us grow very fast since they came on board in 2005. Our perspective has also changed, all of which has added a lot values in the work of the company. I don't think of any competition as of now. In today's fierce competitive environment, if a job is done really well, then there will be no competition to face. Today, most people are trying to cut corners and make money. For us it is all about providing a good service; be it quality popcorn or quality parking, it's all about giving good service.

Chaos Theory
Well I haven't had any kind of chaos yet. We are all in the job of growing bigger and working faster because we all are under pressure.

People that influenced
I have seen people telling me that I am the role model but I have never seen myself like that and am not influenced by anyone personally. Because I have had very different kinds of growth in my personal life. I come from a very remote village and success did not happen to me overnight.

Strategies
If anyone is just specialized it limits the capacity to do something. We must look around to experiment or try new things. If someone has blinkers for 15 years, suddenly remove it then think there are so many other things one you can do. I think that is how we picked up in Cinema and other productions.

Even if I had opened a blinker earlier, there was always a restriction on funds. In July when Reliance came we innovated. So the vision was always there, only the right kind of strategy and input was required. But there is a limit as to when, what should be done. So we thought we should have the right people at the right time to implement the vision. We had money but we just required the right management. That's why we took a lot of time.

Changing rules
I don't think we have changed. Reform but don't change. Actually we are in a learning process.

Ensuring that your team delivers
We have targets. We have 4 - 5 divisions like production, distribution, multiplexes and so on. Each one is given a target based on their performances. How much investment we can do and what numbers they have to give. So we ensure that every quarter they come up with new targets and perform well. That delivers the cause.

Fun part of your business
I enjoy when we process a good film and if the results are good. I think I enjoy all my work. I am very happy the way I work and how it's going. A lot of people may not be as lucky as me.

I, Manmohan Shetty leader of today?
Leaders are chosen by someone else - my employees, my companies or the shareholders. I can't say that I am the king. How they define leadership is more important, whether I am a good leader, average or poor. As per performances I think we have grown all the time. I would not have grown well today if the market conditions were not good. There is no yardstick. I could have done it 5 years earlier maybe I would have never done it. So is it correct? I don't know?

Amar Deb, head honcho, Channel [V] tells Nidhi Jain on what it takes to be a leader of youth.

I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.
Ralph Nader

Lessons you learnt
I have learnt from other leaders. First lessons was from Alyque Padamsee, my boss at Lintas. He believed in the theory, practice makes a man perfect. . Whenever he went to make a presentation he practiced it three times till he was perfect and only then would he present it. So if a man with a theatre background and as accomplished as him practices, then we all really need to follow the same format.

 Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, the flagship Ms Amsterdam sets the standard for five-star cruise ships.
 Ms Amsterdam blends the very latest in shipbuilding technology with the artistry, personalized touches, and superior service that has made Holland America Line one of the highest-rated cruise lines in the world.
   

At the heart of the Ms Amsterdam is the Planeto Astrolabium, a specially commissioned signature sculpture suspended and soaring in a three-story atrium. The stunning Astrolabe tracks constellations, the planets, world time and ship time.
With the capacity to carry 1,380 guests, the Ms Amsterdam features 172 staterooms with verandahs. The Ms Amsterdam completed all Signature of Excellence enhancements to her public rooms and staterooms in spring 2005.
 In early 2007 she circumnavigates the globe on her Grand World Voyage.

  Signature features include:
  The two-tier La Fontaine Dining Room features impeccable service and an extensive wine list, and offers five-course menus, from continental cuisine to vegetarian and low-carb options.

    The intimate reservations-only Pinnacle Grill offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience and features premium hand-selected cuts of Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines.

    The Lido Restaurant offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties.

    The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine magazine, is the setting for gourmet cooking demonstrations and interactive classes.

    Explorations Caf?, powered by The New York Times, features the largest library at sea, as well as comfortable music listening stations and Internet access.

    The Greenhouse Spa & Salon features thermal suites, hydrotherapy and thalassotherapy pool, heated ceramic lounges and more.

    The Queen's Show Lounge features Las Vegas-style productions, talented vocalists, illusionists, comedians and variety acts.

    The Crow's Nest, where sweeping views make observation lounge a top choice for relaxing during the day, and in the evening transforms into a hip, fashionable nightclub features top-notch DJs and live bands.

    Dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 to 12.

    The Loft and The Oasis, designed exclusively for teens to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age.

    At the heart of the Holland America experience is a warm and unobtrusive style of service that is never in the way and never out of reach.

    Expect excellence: sail with nearly one crew member for every two guests, for the impeccable service that has long defined classic cruising.
    Rhythm of relaxing and inspiring days onboard, with a wealth of activities and enrichment programs for pleasure. One day opt for a hot stone massage in luxurious Greenhouse Spa and Salon, another day elect to attend a cooking demonstration in the world class Culinary Arts Center, improve golf swing or spend time at one of the pools.
    Discovery, both of new countries and new places, is the true spirit of world travel. World of education, activity, enrichment and inspiration onboard Holland America Line ships.
    Public rooms, with rich, polished woods and soft leather furniture create an inviting ambiance.
    Staterooms filled with all manner of sophisticated amenities beckon to retreat for hours. There is a certain kind of elegance that never goes out of style, inviting to relax into a world of comfort and easy elegance aboard the spacious ships of Holland America Line.
    An African safari, the romance of Venice, the grandeur of Asian palaces, the drama of Machu Picchu and the great pyramids, the exquisite pleasures of a transoceanic crossing.
    In 2008, it celebrates the 50th anniversary of first world cruise.

Sunil Lulla, CEO, Times Now, believes leadership will always be an ongoing process. Leaders will get acclaim depending upon how they deal with situations, he tells Nidhi Jain.

Lessons you have learnt

Leadership is an ongoing process, I have learnt from my own experiences and from others' actions. Words are weaker than actions. I have read a lot about how leaders are made on the basis of their actions.

Leaders have to be responsible; they should take charge of situations. They should communicate well; have to constantly keep motivating people about different situations. Thus, it is a consequence of effective communication.

Methods of pacifying madness

I won't say that chaos is very essential but common. It does bring out creativity and sometimes it makes sense and is essential. A challenge is to find out a funnel that leads to quality, task orientation, and goal orientation. Always define a way of handling chaos or so called madness. Energy put on task orientation, on quality whenever required can bring out success.I have a simple philosophy - God is in the details. We cannot work for a particular assignment if we cannot work on details first. Chaos makes the execution perfect. We should be able to wake up and have a vision for the task. We should explain that to our subordinates and funnel the chaos in a very positive form of energy.

People who influenced you

There are many. Some directly and some indirectly. Some influenced me by their actions. Some with whom I worked. My early influence was by reading a lot on Swami Vivekananda; he showed spiritualism with the stands he took. In his speech in Chicago, he got a standing ovation. Next is Mahatma Gandhi who held the nation together. I also admire Jack Welch for his leadership skills. These two words define Welsh for what he stood for. His leadership skills definitely had something inspirational about him. I admire Mr Azim Premji and Narayan Murthy. People I have worked with give me great substance too. My current employers, the Jain Family, Mr Samir Jain and Mr Vineet Jain inspire me on hardcore entrepreneurship.

Changing rules of Work

The environment changes but the rules remain the same. There are goals to be achieved for execution. A large pool of young talent provides enthusiasm in a working environment. There has to be a lot of responsibility and enthusiasm, and a little impatience to succeed. Though the rate of bearing failure is higher nowadays.

How do you ensure that your team delivers

We share a common platform. Thus we are very clear about our goals. We work with people who take responsibility. My 30 years of work experience has been successful and fortunate because of this.

Fun Part of your business

The fun part of our profession is the unexpected. There are a lot of young people and a lot of creativity.