THE RATAN TATA WAY: NEEYAT, NEETI AND NIYAM
The Morning Standard|October 11, 2024
As a leader, he preferred being an intellectual nomad rather than a map-bound explorer. Though he pushed colleagues to be efficient and effective, he always behaved kindly with them
R GOPALAKRISHNAN
THE RATAN TATA WAY: NEEYAT, NEETI AND NIYAM

RATAN Tata was loved by almost everybody, understood by most people and was misunderstood by just a few. That is a pretty good track record for any human being. To be loved by everybody is a rare gift for an enterprise leader. To be misunderstood by only a few is a superb record. He never uttered the words in the title of this article: neeyat, neeti, niyam. The coinage is my summary for his style of leadership.

Neeyat

This word derives from the Arabic neeya, which alludes to strategic or deep-seated intent. For any enterprise, the neeyat should not be to 'make lots of money' because that would be akin to saying that the neeyat of a human being is to 'breathe in lots of oxygen'! Just as our body needs oxygen at calibrated levels to live healthily, an enterprise needs profits at calibrated levels to live healthily. Profit is a measure of enterprise efficiency, but not of enterprise effectiveness. Too much profit, like too much oxygen, can be toxic.

Ratan Tata desired that, like human beings, enterprises should be nurtured.

to become efficient and effective. To be efficient, they had to operate at top-class levels. To be effective, his enterprises had to have the community at centre-stage.

Here are a few instances of how Ratan walked the talk, not to show off as an example to others but to be, well, himself.

When Covid happened, the Tata companies' profits and efficiency were negatively affected, like for most other companies. However, Tata group's contributions to Covid relief were significantly higher than earlier years' expenditures on social responsibility. This typifies the act of corporate effectiveness.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE MORNING STANDARDView all
The Morning Standard

Healing with art

NOW, what I want you all to do is, draw your inner mask and outer mask,\" instructs Vasavi Eriki as we grab our A4 sheets in unison and curiously look at the unknown faces on our screens at 'Explore, Express and Heal', an online art therapy workshop organised by Pause for Perspective.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 06, 2024
Jr NTR's Devara: Part 1 gets OTT release date
The Morning Standard

Jr NTR's Devara: Part 1 gets OTT release date

On Tuesday, Netflix announced that the Jr NTR-starrer Devara: Part 1 is coming to the platform on November 8.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

7 guarantees in INDIA manifesta

THE INDIA bloc on Tuesday released its manifesto for the Jharkhand Assembly polls, promising the Sarna religion code for tribals, while guaranteeing Khatian-based domicile policy to woo the natives.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
Eyes on host city as IOA submits letter of intent for 2036 Olympics
The Morning Standard

Eyes on host city as IOA submits letter of intent for 2036 Olympics

THE Indian Olympic Association has finally submitted the letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee on October 1.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 06, 2024
ERIGAISI SURVIVES ANOTHER CLOSE MATCH
The Morning Standard

ERIGAISI SURVIVES ANOTHER CLOSE MATCH

A win today will see the Indian GM becoming World Number 2

time-read
2 mins  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

Delhi up against table toppers Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH are on a roll after initial disappointment when they lost their first match against Railways.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

1574 players sign up for IPL mega auction

A WHOPPING 1574 cricketers, including 1165 Indians, have signed up for the mega auction ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals due to injury
The Morning Standard

Djokovic withdraws from ATP Finals due to injury

NOVAK Djokovic won't defend his ATP Finals title after ruling himself out on Tuesday due to an unspecified injury.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

Muralikrishnan, Xiaomi India head, resigns

CHINESE smart devices firm Xiaomi's India head Muralikrishnan B has resigned from the company to pursue his interest in academic research, the company said on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024
The Morning Standard

Trade barriers could rise if Trump wins

THE US election results could have a far-reaching impact on global trade if Donald Trump emerges victorious on November 12, the election results day.

time-read
1 min  |
November 06, 2024