NARAYANAN VAGHUL (1936-2024) 'Vaghul style of leadership created a factory of leaders'

RENUKA RAMNATH My first encounter with N Vaghul, was in 1986, when I joined ICICI as a junior officer on probation.

The customary lunch with the chairman filled me with trepidation. Meeting someone so high up in the organisation was intimidating. However, my fears were unfounded. His unassuming style, calm and easy demeanour, using humour in conveying powerful messages - all took me by surprise, demolishing all my preconceived notions about a "Boss". This quintessential Vaghul style of leadership created a factory of leaders.

A couple of years later, he invited me to join a conversation about AI. A leading conglomerate from South India had developed an AI product. Hold your breath - this was in the late 1980s. We were asked to examine its relevance for ICICI. The industry captains then were always eager to brainstorm such innovative ideas only with Mr Vaghul. I learnt my second lesson in leadership that day- the limitless possibilities of open-mindedness and how curious, engaged, and bold leaders ought to be to nurture and inspire high-performing teams.