🌿 Howard Gardening Story #18 — Lakshmi, the Maestro of Moments

 

I only learned from Lakshmi, our Marcom Manager, that event management is taught as a science. Speaking to her revealed its vast scope — project planning, vendor negotiations, wooing sponsors, brainstorming ideas, managing egos, budgets, risks, and high-stakes decisions. It demands mastery of nearly every intelligence Howard Gardner defined. Yet, we never truly tapped into Lakshmi’s expertise. But let me go back in time and imagine ..... If she had been tasked with managing a Global Leadership Conclave, I imagine it would unfold like this: She walks into an empty hall — bare walls, mismatched chairs, dusty stage — and already see standing ovations, spontaneous laughter, and applause echoing. The guest list includes Industry heavyweights. The budget is tight as ever. Lakshmi maps the venue until she can navigate it blindfolded. She has perfected every detail — from lighting angles to the exact moment fresh jasmine greet guests. Then, she assembles her “orchestra”: caterers, tech crews, florists, and logistics teams, each cued to play their part. On the day, it’s magic. Keynotes glide on stage, sessions run on time, food is hot, coffee never runs out, and every delegate leaves feeling seen. The CEO shakes her hand: “I don’t know how you did it, but I didn’t worry about a thing.” 💡 For Leaders — especially CSR Heads: Your biggest impact initiatives depend on flawless events. Do you recognise the Lakshmis in your team — and give them the stage — before you desperately need them? In my view the CSR and HR heads would value these skills for their various events and projects - Author (for creating business stories), Photo/ videos graphers (to make the business stories alive) and Event managers.

Howard Gardening Story #17 — Monarch, the Logical Astrologer

 

Most C&B managers earn a reputation for being the bearers of bad news. Monarch? He earned respect — and even affection.

My ex-colleague and dear friend Monarch was one of the most brilliant Compensation & Benefits managers I’ve ever known — process-driven, deeply logical, yet a natural leader with a warm heart.

Anyone who’s worked in C&B knows: employees rarely feel fondly toward those who decide their salaries. But with Monarch, it was different. People left his office satisfied, even when they didn’t get exactly what they wanted. He knew exactly what to say and how to say it — a rare blend of precision and empathy.

I often thought of him as a classic INTJ, like Krishna or Chanakya — always five steps ahead in thought and action (want to know more about INTJ? Ask AI about MBTI and its 16 personality types defined by a mother daughter researcher duo) 

His love for learning seemed limitless. Beyond Excel sheets and salary bands, he explored disciplines that, at first glance, had little to do with HR — coaching, hypnotherapy, psychology. And then came Indian Vedic astrology. I suspect it was his logical mind, hungry for patterns and systems, that drew him in — even though he knew it wasn’t academically “proven.”

Soon, he was Head of HR for a large organisation. And I can’t help but imagine him blending his HR expertise with the human insights he’s drawn from astrology — recognising patterns, understanding motivations, and navigating complex dynamics in ways few could.

🪐 Question for HR Leaders:
Are you encouraging your people to bring their diverse passions — even unconventional ones — into the workplace? Could those interests spark new ways to connect, understand, and lead?

📘 Howard Gardening Story #16 — Nandu, the Unofficial CEO

 

When Nandu joined us in his late 20s in a global mobility role, no one imagined he’d soon lead one of the most spirited movements in our company.

We bonded quickly — mostly because of his deep involvement in Syntillations, our employee-led engagement wing.

The first thing he did? Call for a secret ballot election for the committee — something we’d never done before. I said “Sure,” curious to see where it would go.

Next thing I knew, Nandu had formed his own party, written a manifesto, and launched a full-on campaign — unit by unit, speech by speech. Of course, he won. Decisively.

What followed was a masterclass in engagement. Under Nandu, Syntillations became a cultural force. He curated events, ran clubs, and hosted a grand film awards ceremony where employee-made short films — all on sustainability — took center stage. (And this was before the UN’s SDGs were even a buzzword.)

But his real gift? Creating belonging. Every induction included a Syntillations segment where newcomers joined clubs matching their interests. They didn’t just join a company — they joined a community.

Today, Nandu is a Vice President — and still a force for good. He’s been a COVID warrior in Bangalore, works with traffic police on civic issues, and remains deeply involved in CSR. I sincerely hope we have many Nandus around us — to inspire us, and to lead us.

💡 HR & CSR Leaders — Would you spot a young Nandu if you saw one? Would you nurture them to run like a CEO, even without the title?

The future is already in your workforce. The question is — are you looking?

👪Howard Gardening Story #15 – Sanjeev and the theory of multiple intelligences

 

Sanjeev was a bright young engineer in our company — razor-sharp, articulate, and quietly rebellious.

Every time he stepped into my office, I’d take a deep breath. He never came for small talk — only for big questions:

🌀 “How do you ensure my performance rating isn’t biased?”

🌀 “Why am I being evaluated on outdated goals?”

🌀 “Where is the link between performance and compensation?”

🌀 “What’s my growth path here?”

These weren’t complaints. They were challenges — offered with clarity, curiosity, and a genuine desire to improve the system.

Over time, an age gap melted into friendship. And even after he moved to Australia, we stayed connected.

I saw some great change in him after a while, probably marriage and fatherhood transformed him. He didn’t just parent — he practised parenting. He introduced his children to a wide range of skills — unknowingly practicing Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. He gave his children what few working professionals manage — his full, present, joyful time. When I spoke to him last, he told me that many parents get in touch with him to guide them in parenting. His son, 11, speaks 11 languages and daughter speaks 9; they both give musical performances and run their video channel to teach the STEM subjects.

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I look back with a twinge of regret about my life. I couldn’t give that kind of time to my son. But maybe this story sparks something in you. And that will be my solace.

💡 What if HR and CSR leaders recognised the parenting potential in their people?

Imagine communities of employee-parents — not just managing both worlds, but thriving in them. Sharing wisdom. Mentoring others. Supporting child-focused initiatives with empathy born from lived experience. 

Could your CSR Head tap into this Tribe of Tenders — to serve the very villages your company supports? I believe she could.

📘Howard Gardening Story #14 — Azim Premji and Docendo Discimus

 

🌟 Time for another corporate “fairy tale”

Three invitations. One unusual honour.

This story comes from a personalized book I created, a few years ago, to honour Wipro’s iconic Founder, Azim Premji.

It’s a glimpse of what may happen when quiet conviction meets compassionate leadership — and when workplaces nurture not just performance, but purpose.

Here goes the summary of my fairy tale - 

In 2010, Premji received three separate Best Teacher Awards — not for himself, but on behalf of his company.

Why? Because his people weren’t just building code.

They were building classrooms.

It all started with a bold question: 

“What if our best employees taught in schools and colleges — not after they retire, but now?”

🌱 The program was called Docendo Discimus — Latin for ‘We learn when we teach.’

⭐ Premji gave employees world-class training who volunteered to teach real-world topics.

🎓 People loved it. Students learned what the curriculum never taught them.

🧠 The company coined a new term — Cub-sourcing — real project work done by students, enabling talent spotting, faster onboarding, and lower training costs.

This wasn't just CSR.

It was culture. Community. And a sustainable talent strategy.

🧑‍🏫 5,000 students were project-ready from Day 1 when they joined Wipro.

💼 Employee pride soared — with stars embossed on ID cards for every year they taught.

🏛️ And in 2010, three state Governors called this company - India’s best teacher.

Not bad for a company that never claimed to be in the business of education.

🌟 What legacy will your people leave behind — inside or outside the boardroom?

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The story above is just a glimpse. The full story lives in the book I crafted for Mr Premji. Feel free to ask him for a peek. 🙂

Howard Gardening Story #13 — Trupti’s SIP (Systematic Inner Peace)

Trupti’s week begins before dawn.

At 5 AM, she’s on the mat — flowing through yoga, anchored in breath, aligned with her purpose.

By 7 AM, she’s in the kitchen — preparing breakfast and mentally prepping her teenager for school and life.

 She’s not just managing time. She’s holding space — as a mother, a mentor, and a calm centre in the morning storm.

By 9 AM, she’s a Senior Programme Manager in a global IT firm, orchestrating digital solutions for clients across continents.

And on weekends? She becomes a guide for others. Teaching breathing techniques, meditation, and yoga — to professionals across Europe. Not to change the world, but to help them navigate their inner universe.

What’s striking is how her own leadership style is transforming — more composed, more intuitive, more resilient.

 Her wellness practice is no longer a separate part of life; it's the very core of how she leads, connects, parents, and grows.

🔎 She’s not chasing impact; she’s embodying it.

 🔎 She’s not managing work-life balance — she’s curating a rhythm of presence.

💡 What if every company noticed the “Truptis” in their workforce?

 💡 What if HR and CSR leaders nurtured these quiet superpowers?

Imagine a wellness teacher hiding in your code team.

 A therapist in your techie.

 A mother who leads not just her family, but her team — with the same care, clarity, and calm.

Not every hero wears a cape.

 Some wear track pants and carry a yoga mat to Zoom calls.

🔔 Howard Gardening invites HR and CSR Leaders to look within — and help others do the same.

 ✨ Because sometimes, the most profound transformation begins not outside,

 but in the breath between tasks… and the hand that packs a school tiffin with love.

Howard Gardening Story #12 — Anil the magician turning garbage into gold

 

After a successful stint at a leading automobile MNC in Germany, Anil returned to India.
For years, he had mastered combustion engines, supply chains, and global business strategies. But back home, a new calling emerged — quieter, yet more profound.

One morning, he had an epiphany: to dedicate his life to sustainability.

Today, Anil isn’t talking torque and horsepower. He’s teaching communities about composting, running workshops on waste segregation, and inspiring youth to rethink consumption. His venture turns everyday waste — banana peels, paper scraps, garden trimmings — into rich compost and community transformation.

What once was engineering for performance is now engineering for the planet.

It makes you wonder: what if his passion for sustainability had been noticed earlier?
Would a Mercedes be powered by kitchen waste today?
Would an Audi sprout a green conscience?

🚀 HR and CSR leaders — here’s your invitation.
Within your high performers may lie hidden crusaders — for the environment, for education, for equity. People who are waiting for a platform, not applause.

Can your talent systems spot them?
Can your engagement programs nurture them?

Anil is a reminder: great potential doesn’t always wear a label.
Sometimes it composts quietly — until it’s given sunlight.

#CSR #HowardGardening