IT Industry Becomes Obsolete Every Three Years

Vineet Nayar was recently chosen for the Dataquest Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the Indian IT industry specifically in organizing and building the Indian software industry. Nayar has now shifted his focus from the IT industry and paying full attention to the education of rural kids through his NGO - Sampark Foundation.

 

- Malavika Sacchdeva

How will you describe your career journey?

My career journey has been a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, friendship and foes, achievements and failures. It was also a journey with awesome sets of people and experience. I have enjoyed every bit of it in both failure and in success. It is a wish come true experience, I could not have asked for anything better.

What challenges have you faced in the IT industry?

The IT industry becomes obsolete every three years. If you are in the IT industry, you have to get in the mind space where change is the only constant thing you will face. But it is easier said than done.

For example, if we try to turn a large ship every three years, it becomes very difficult. I think the biggest challenge for every leader working in the IT space is the fact; that how you can inspire the set of people going in one direction to suddenly change their direction.

How would you describe your management style?

My management style can be described in one line which is - I don’t know, I truly believe that if you can surround yourself with really smart people and if you can inspire them to jump out of their bed and work for a vision which you both commonly believe in, then you can create magic. I believe that magic cannot be created if you have a big vision or idea and you expect followers to work for you. Magic can only be created, if you are co-creating dreams with fellow dreamers and everybody feels equally excited for the purpose you are pursuing and work for it every-day.