Venue: Skyview, 10 floor, Central Block
Time: 12 to 1 PM
Date:  January 3, 2020
The Department of International Studies and History, Christ University, organized a talk on ‘Leadership Challenges: The Human Dimension’ by Lt Gen (Dr) VK Ahluwalia, PVSM, AVSM**, YSM, VSM (Retd) Director, Center for Land Warfare (CLAWS).
Dr. Ahluwalia started the lecture by providing examples from the battlefield. He, then, extended the scope of the lecture from leadership challenges in the armed forces to leadership challenges in ‘strategic landscape’ signifying international relations. A brief and a structured geopolitical analysis of the globe was given, followed by a host of conflicts and problems faced by countries, which was eventually narrowed down to India. Dr. Ahluwalia emphasized the need for a strong leadership to tackle various conflicts in India, be it internal or external, ranging from border issues in the North and North-East of India to the problem of terrorism and left wing extremism. For the same, he narrated examples from the 1947 war, 1962 war with China and the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Dr. Ahluwalia extended the scope of leadership to business models, by stating that war and business both operate in a VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous). At the same time, forming and nurturing human connection which involves understanding people and dealing with them, forms vital aspect of the leadership strategy. This is supplemented by the ability to manage change which is important for survival, as well as removal of the fear of unknown along with ensuring transparency and communication among the team members. Dr. Ahluwalia ended the lecture by  providing the audience with mantra for leadership which consisted of compelling vision, global awareness, strategic vision, quick comprehension, innovative and critical thinking among other qualities.
The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session. Dr. Ahluwalia was presented with a vote of thanks and a token of appreciation.