As Senior Director of Research & Development at Philips India, Radhakrishnan Kodakkal is always looking for ways to enrich his leadership capabilities. He saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do just that in the Senior Executive Leadership Program—India at Harvard Business School. After being accepted, he completed the program's four distinct modules from August 2016 through June 2017. He discusses how his experience has helped him reach the next level of leadership.
How would you describe your overall experience, across all four modules?
Modules 1, 2, and 3 are the nuts and bolts of how to run a business, and Module 4 brings everything together. Overall, I gained a better understanding of the way a leader should act in emergencies, during conflicts, and when facing other challenges. I also learned how to renew myself when I see big problems, as well as how to take the next step.
Can you describe key takeaways from the program?
Starting with Module 1, my biggest takeaway was the value mapping, which is used to identify an organization's value based on its assets and capabilities. In Module 2, we focused on analyzing big challenges facing the business, identifying the root cause, and coming up with an efficient and cost-effective solution. Module 3, which addressed the topic of digitization, was a real eye-opener. It gave me a view of what's happening in the digital world and how it could disrupt a business. As a whole, the program delved into strategy, macroeconomics, marketing, and service, in addition to contemporary topics like Digital, Innovation, and authentic leadership. I rarely get the opportunity to sit back and look at things differently. It's comparable to taking time to sharpen one's sword. That's one of the greatest benefits of this program.
Overall, what were the most valuable aspects of the program for you?
I enjoyed the breadth and depth of knowledge and thought leadership of my cohorts who come from different professional and personal backgrounds. I was impressed with the way the living group was organized. It was all quite well balanced. Also, the guest speakers were invaluable. For example, I gained a lot from listening to Omar Ishrak, the CEO from of Medtronic. It was immensely helpful to hear a legendary CEO in the industrial world describe a real-world problem, how he analyzed it, and what he did to solve it. Because that's what I will need to do as a leader when I find myself in similar situations.
Did the program meet your expectations?
Based on what I read in the program material, I expected the curriculum to do a good job covering strategy, marketing, and the finance. But I was pleasantly surprised by the exploration of authentic leadership and global leadership. Those topics were new to me, and the professors allocated enough time so that we could really understand them. The program actually exceeded my expectations and prepared me to lead my organization with a long-term view. The motivation I gained from this experience is very exciting, and the confidence I walked away with is invaluable.
What would you say to someone who is considering applying to this program?
This program was inspiring and, at the same time, extremely demanding. It provided me with the perspective to look at problems differently and think two or three steps ahead. At the end of the day, it all goes back to your aspirations and what you want from the program. If you want to go into general management or a specific function or complex role, and you really want to be a better leader, then this program is ideal. Also, because the program format consists of four modules over the course of a year, it allows you to manage it as part of a full-time career and prepares you to develop into a well-rounded leader.