MUMBAI: CNBC TV18 is launching a new youth initiative, 'Lessons in Leadership' that will provide young minds and future business leaders an opportunity to meet with the legends of the India Inc.

The programme, which will travel to the country’s best campuses starting with IIT Mumbai, will see business leaders sharing views and experiences from their stellar business careers on a variety of subjects including leadership, teamwork, career growth and work-life balance.

CNBC-TV18 head marketing Saket Saurabh said, “As a channel, we have always been focused on engaging with the youth and future business leaders of the country through a variety of properties and events and this is another key initiative in this regard. This series has a unique proposition because while it will be a significant learning event for the students, it shall not be an academic one. The focus is on sharing insights about leadership which are best gained through experience and hold good for a lifetime of business success.”

The first event of the series, which the channel will air on Saturday at 3.30 pm, will see Tata Sons executive director R Gopalkrishnan and Mphasis former CEO Jerry Rao visiting the IIT Bombay campus to interact with the students.

Citing his view on leadership Gopalakrishnan said, “Leadership is completely self taught and not inborn. What schools and colleges teach are lessons on things that can be taught which will help one get a job, but what will help progress in the job are lessons that cannot be taught. IQ gets you a job and EQ keeps you progressing in your job.”

Rao who is executive chairman of value and budget housing corporation added, “There is nothing magical or genetic about leadership, it is clearly a learning skill. Leadership is very situational. A leader in one situation is not necessarily a leader in another situation.” He also added that “Leadership is something that followers confirm. Followers collectively create an aura and charisma for the leader.”