MADNESS IS THE NEW SOLUTION- Be a MAD let’s get obsessed to change...

It was one of the most usual days in office and post lunch suddenly I received a mail in my inbox with the subject “Be a MAD” I was about to ignore it thinking it would be another forwarded email from one of my friend(s) who redefines the meaning of insane. But then I saw where it came from? It was from a Man whose “statement” “opinion” and “words” has realigned the thinking in boardrooms forever. Yes it was from our Maverick CEO Mr. Vineet Nayar. Well before you think I am some big shot and it was only addressed to me [wow I wish someday....:)] let me clarify it was his usual address (always an eye and mind opener) to all HCLites. It wasalong mail asking us to be a MAD in our scope of work; he was actually urging us to “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” (MAD) by pushing the envelope of innovation and creativity in our sphere of influence. This was my first encounter with an Idea and concept called “MAD”.

After a couple of months one afternoon I happened to see a tweet from another maverick Leader our dynamic Lead musician in HCL band cum CMO with a hashtag #madltd. I immediately googled it and saw one of the coolest websites apt for Shakira’s generations (my game, my rule and world is my playground), not only was the look hip but it immediately caught my attention with its compelling content like “This ain’t right...’‘They are not doing their job...’‘I wish somebody would do something about this...’‘These guys are useless...’Heard it? Said it? Now do something about it. You have always wished for things to change around you. Now make the change around you happen. MAD LTD is the platform, the springboard from where you can not only Make the Difference that you desire, but also Lead The Difference”. I said WOW!! at the same time I asked myself, is it something new and unprecedented? Perhaps not, but what actually hit the nail on head was the last line “No SUBJECT is off limits, no CAUSE is too small, no IDEA less worthy. So come on, put on YOUR THINKING CAPS, sign up and start changing the world”. It isn’t about one community, issue or area; it is about you and your changing idea that was indeed new and refreshing.

The madltd and ideas selected for grand finale

The time was never more testing than it is today, the world is falling apart what with revolutions&wars, earthquakes & tsunami, competition was never fiercer; the customer is getting more demanding with each passing day. So I always think in the midst of these unprecedented scenarios what would be the differentiator between winning and defeat? According to me it will be the ability to foster Leaders and Leadership at all levels. We have all heard great speeches on this subject from podiums in the most eloquent manner from well decorated leaders but unfortunately reality is like A. Raja talking about integrity and honesty, nothing at all at the ground. I have read great articles about Infosys being meritocracy organization for the last half the decade, but the fact is no one is more capable or intelligent enough to run the show other than close net of founder members, resultant smart people don’t want to be “Das” take there “Pai” and go out. But HCL always lead from the front and sets the examples fostering leadership, the biggest testament is a SMT (Senior Management Trainee), is CEO and Chairman today.

The Grand Jury ; Diversity&Sustainability Head- Ms.Srimathi

HCL is a world of boldness with its disruptive thinking showing the path to others that haven’t dared to even think about. So when I saw “INSPIRED BY HCL” in madltd I felt proud, elated and told myself the legacy continues. What a great Idea to invite and ignite the young minds when they are uncultured and have courage and endurance to win the world. MADLTD is a canvas for these modern Picaso’s to paint the world with their change ideas. MADLTD came to fore in October-2010, since its inception, over 520 participants have submitted their unique ideas on the website. Around 15 innovative ideas were shortlisted, Like IFA-DFA "Ideas For All - Development For All" and the madster says “I am madly mad about changing things, not because I suffered it's because I saw people suffering”. Another Madster came up with an idea of Making a “wikiRadio” ,One young Madster who couldn’t join army despite clearing NDA and CDS, owing to weak eyesight has an idea of spreading the awareness and motivating youngsters to join “Indian Army”. Another young Leader came up with an Idea called “KAP” connecting Kids to Adults to Plants; it was simply mind boggling to see this flying zone and the reach of their thoughts.

I was planning my business trip from Chennai to Delhi and when I heard of the grand finale for MADltd, immediately tweak my itinerary and made it a point to be there to listen and to see these future leaders but more than anything else to derive my own learning from them. It was a spectacular evening where these 15 MADsters were grilled by an esteemed jury of distinguished leaders from Corporate, Digital media and marketing and literature world. Majority of the Ideas were about sustainability and upliftment of weaker section of society, this again testifies that this topic is closest to the heart of the young generation and that’s why companies have never felt so much pressure to be SOCIAL. The evening was opened by our dynamic and vivacious Diversity & Sustainability head Ms. Srimathi. She in her own jovial style gave the message again on how important it is to humanize everything that we do even in this cutting technology age. The biggest MADster Vineet’s address to the audience in his own inevitable style spoke about how “being mad is not about winning or losing, it is about taking the ”first step” towards your closet cherished belief. Madness is an obsession and it is good”. After 4 hours of quizzing, speech and a Q&A session by Ms.Shayali Bhatnagar and her idea KAP stoodout and she became the CEO of MADLTD. CV doesn’t make a CEO, an IDEA does. And if you are not mad about something in life you are average and mediocre and that is curse. MADLTD is just a start today to foster leadership and make a better tomorrow. Lets BE A MAD.............

The madsters Mr. Vineet Nayar and Mr. Chetan Bhagat with Winner and First Runner-up