HYDERABAD : Unbridled enthusiasm and untiring passion to make a difference are qualities one sees in R K Mishra, Director of the Institute of Public Enterprises (IPE), Hyderabad. Chat with him for a few minutes and these positive vibes get transmitted to others too.
A prolific researcher and author, suave speaker, a man with interests in arts and music, and above all, a family man, how Mishra is able to manage these facets successfully could make for a useful management lesson. “Challenges bring with them opportunities. If you are focused on your goals and put efforts in that direction, then unlimited energy is within you... We should be proactive and venture out in life to make the most of it. Or else there is no meaning in it,” he says.
For him, days start at 6 am, with some exercise and planning for the day. While he gets to work by 9 am, only late in the evening does he get back. Being a man with many responsibilities, he does bring work home, but makes sure he spends quality time with his better half.
And, he never skips listening to music. “Reading, traveling and music are my biggest passions... music is a must before going to sleep,” underlines Mishra, adding that he is open to any genre and language. He believes the same of books, his office shelf stacked with tomes of all genres — from management and autobiographies to history and culture. But, a complete collection of Mahatma Gandhi’s works stand out.
“I was born and brought up in Jaipur. My father was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and we are influenced by Gandhian ideology,” points out Mishra. An inclination towards Gandhi in one who rubs shoulders with corporate honchos and teaches management students appears unconventional, but Mishra stresses that management is all about helping others and it is this that has brought him to his present position.
“We should always ready to help others. Professor Om Prakash, David Chambers, T V Mohandas Pai and many others have helped me and contributed towards my growth. I make sure that whoever comes to me, I help in the same way.”
Having been to SDA Bocconi, Milan, Italy, the London School of Business and teaching regularly at several international universities, Mishra points out that today’s youngsters are more informed, determined and skilled than older generations.
“Youth today are focused. They want to be independent... preferring startups rather than a job. But, the only thing they should learn is not to stop if they fail. If they keep on persevering and success is not far behind. That’s what I have learned in my professional and personal life,” Mishra signs off.