The Most Dynamic Leader To Follow in 2024, April 2024

Srinivas Buddharaju

Leadership is not about titles, positions, or owcharts. It is about one life inuencing another.

Editor’s V I E W

A True Leader Inspires People to Lead Themselves

Thehallmarkofagreatleaderisnotjustgettingpeople

tofollowtheirvision,butenablingandinspiring otherstobecomeleadersintheirownright.Atrue leaderempowersthosearoundthemtotakeownership,think critically,anddriveinitiativesthemselves.

Ratherthandictatingordersfromonhigh,aninspirational leaderpaintsavividpictureofthegoalandrationale,butgives theirteamtheautonomytocharttheirowncoursetogetthere. Theyprovideguardrailsandhigh-levelguidance,butdon't micromanageeverystep.Thisallowspeopletoputtheir uniqueskillsandperspectivestoworkinachievingcollective objectives.

Atransformationalleaderupliftsothersbybelievingintheir abilitiesperhapsmorethantheybelieveinthemselves. Throughcoaching,feedback,andleadingbyexample,they instillconfidence.Theycelebratesmallwinstofurther motivateandshowthatmeaningfulprogressispossible throughperseverance.

Bygrantingauthority,removingroadblocks,anddeveloping theirpeople'sleadershipcapabilities,agreatleadercreatesa Self-energizing,Self-sustainingleadershippipeline.The organizationbecomesanensembleofleaders,notjust followers—apowerfulforceforcontinualgrowthandimpact.

Highlightingonesuchleader,InsightsSuccessbringsforthan edition, The Most Dynamic Leader to Follow in 2024, showcasingleadersfromvariousindustrieswhoexemplify thisethosofinspiringotherstoleadthemselves.From innovativeentrepreneurstovisionaryCEOs,theseindividuals havenotonlyachievedpersonalsuccessbuthavealso cultivatedacultureofleadershipwithintheirorganizations. OnesuchleaderfeaturedinthiseditionisSrinivas Buddharaju,theStrategicAdvisorofasuccessfultechstartup Metasky.

Haveagoodreadahead!

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Research

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- Roy T. Bennett

F E A T U R I N G !

Srinivas Buddharaju

Leveraging Experience in the Digital Age

Despite lacking expertise in software development, his grasp of the technology enabled him to forge connections across various verticals within the Web3 industry.

Srinivas Buddharaju Strategic Advisor Metasky

A Journey of Adaptability and Resilience!

Inarapidlyadvancingtech landscape,theWeb3techindustry hasemergedasafrontierof innovationandtransformation.Withits decentralizedapproachandfocuson blockchaintechnology,Web3is redefiningtraditionalparadigmsacross varioussectors,fromfinanceto entertainmentandbeyond.

Leadingthechargeinnavigatingthis dynamicindustryisSrinivas Buddharaju,aStrategicAdvisor withadistinguishedbackgroundinthe IndianNavy.Leveraginghisextensive experienceinleadershipandstrategic planning,Srinivasbringsinvaluable insightstotheforefrontofWeb3 initiatives,guidingorganizations towardsustainablegrowthandsuccess. Attheforefrontofthistechnological revolutionstandsMetasky,a pioneeringentitydrivinginnovationin theWeb3communityspace.Witha commitmenttofosteringresilient ecosystemsandempoweringdigital interactions,Metaskyepitomizesthe transformativepotentialofWeb3 technology.Collaboratingwith industryleaderslikeSrinivas,Metasky continuestoshapethefutureof decentralizedplatforms,creating opportunitiesformeaningful engagementandcollective advancement.

Let’s delve in to learn more:

AVeteran’sTransitiontoNew Frontiers

SrinivasjoinedtheNationalDefence AcademyinPunein1995andwas subsequentlycommissionedintothe IndianNavyasanOfficerupon completingabinitiotrainingin1999. DuringhistenureintheNavy,he specializedasaSurfaceWarfare OfficeronWarships,focusingonthe NavigationofShipsandtheDirection

Leading by example and demonstrating empathy towards his team emerged as the hallmarks of Srinivas’s leadership approach.

ofFighterAircraft.Hegained extensiveexperienceservingon variousfrontlinewarshipsand participatinginactiveoperations. Throughouthiscareer,heheldthree trainingassignments,whichprovided himwithvaluableskillsinpeople engagement,research,andpublic speaking.

Followinghisretirementfromthe Navy,Srinivaspursuedfurther educationandenrolledinthe PGPMAXExecutiveMBAProgramat theIndianSchoolofBusiness(ISB), Hyderabad.InNovember2023,he connectedwithMetasky,astartup operatingintheWeb3Community space,andfoundsignificantsynergies withthecompany’sCreativeDirector. Thisconnectioneventuallyledtohis decisiontojoinMetaskyimmediately aftercompletinghiscourseatISB.

Srinivasappreciatesthepositive organizationalcultureestablishedby Metasky’sFounder,whichcontributes tohisenjoymentandsatisfactioninhis currentroleasaStrategicAdvisorat thecompany

LeadershipinAction

Followinghisinitialtraininginthe Navy,Srinivasassumedtheroleof ExecutiveOfficer(thesecondin command)ofasmallamphibiousship stationedintheAndaman&Nicobar Islands.Thisappointmentthrusthim intoaleadershipposition,wherehe

oversawtheoperationofasmallship inremoteislandterritoriesand managedtheadministrationof approximately50personnel.Duetothe ship’ssize,heinteractedcloselywith thesailors,fosteringastrongrapport withhisteam.Subsequently,hewas assignedtoanothersmallwarship basedinChennai,taskedwith patrollingthecoastofTamilNadu duringaperiodofheightenedLTTE threat.Inbothassignments,heledantipoaching,anti-piracy,andantismugglingoperations,whichshaped hishands-onleadershipstyle.Leading byexampleanddemonstrating empathytowardshisteamemergedas thehallmarksofhisleadership approach.

FromNavalOfficertoWeb3Leader

In2016,Srinivasrepresentedthe IndianNavyinanInternationalCivilMilitaryCourseattheNaval PostgraduateSchoolintheUSA, wherehefirstencountered cryptocurrencyandblockchain technology.Despiteitsearlystages, uponfurtherresearch,herecognized thepotentialutilitiesofblockchainand becameintriguedbytheideaof involvementinrelatedventures. Followinghisretirementfromthe IndianNavyinJuly2022,heimmersed himselfintheWeb3spaceandswiftly ascendedtotheroleofCommunity Leaderwithintheindustry.Leveraging hisunderstandingofthetechnology,he providedguidanceandsupportto

numerousprojectsandfounders embarkingonventuresintheWeb3 arena,particularlyfocusingon communitybuilding.Despitelacking expertiseinsoftwaredevelopment,his graspofthetechnology-enabledhimto forgeconnectionsacrossvarious verticalswithintheWeb3industry

EnhancingStrategyThrough Experience

Srinivas’sbackgroundinsecurity operationsandqualitycontrol inspectionhasequippedhimwith foresight,meticulousattentionto detail,andasteadfastcommitmentto discipline.Theseattributesserveas valuableassetsinhiscurrentcapacity, enablinghimtodevisemoreefficient andagilestrategiesforhisrole.

BalancingCommitments,Navigating Transitions

Srinivashasencounteredchallenges balancingfamilycommitments, includingcaringforanelderlyfather andraisingteenagechildren,alongside dailyhouseholdresponsibilities. DuringhistenureintheNavy,the demandingnatureofhisdutiesmadeit difficulttoallocatesufficienttimeto hisfamily.Followinghisretirement,he prioritizedamorebalancedapproach, dedicatingtimetofamilymatters.

Inrecentyears,particularlyin2021 and2022,theWeb3sectorshowed promise,butgeopoliticalissuesin 2023promptedSrinivastofocuson networkingandskilldevelopment.He pursuedaPGPMAXExecutiveMBA fromtheIndianSchoolofBusiness, Hyderabad,toenhancehiscapabilities andestablishconnectionswithsenior executivesinthecorporatesector

Concurrently,heconcentratedon cultivatingrelationshipswithinthe Web3community,engagingwith projectsandcommunitiesactiveinthe space.Despitebeingoutsidethetypical

agegroupofstartupemployees,his effortsinnetworkingandskill-building facilitatedhistransitiontoaroleata startuplikeMetasky

FosteringResilientCommunities

Hehighlightshisstrengthsinpeople skillsandleadership,whichhave proveninstrumentalinhispostretirementcommunitymanagement roles.Overthepasttwoyears,hehas beenactivelyengagedinbuilding communities,emphasizingthe importanceofkeepingthemengaged. Srinivasacknowledgestheinevitable fluctuationsincommunitydynamics, rangingfromperiodsofexcitementto timesofapprehensionanduncertainty.

Recognizingthedualnatureofsocial mediaasbothafacilitatorand magnifierofcommunityemotions,he stressestheimportanceofadheringto fundamentalprinciples.Regardlessof theprevailingsentimentwithinthe community,hebelievesthatprojects mustremainsteadfastintheir commitmenttotheirroadmap.Srinivas assertsthatresilientcommunitiesare forgedbyprojectsthatmaintaintheir focusandcontinuetheirworkdespite externalpressures.

ProductivityThroughSocial Engagement

DuringhistenureintheNavy,Srinivas ledademanding24x7lifestyle. However,uponretirement,hefound himselfwithmoreleisuretime,which initiallyledtotendenciesof procrastination.Tocounteractthis,he proactivelyengagedinsocialmedia, particularlyonTwitter,wherehe quicklyamassedover16,000 followers.Regularlycreatingcontent becameameansforhimtostay productiveandavoidlethargy.Srinivas focusesongeneratingcontentby analyzingmarketsandspecificprojects whilealsosharingvaluable informationwithhisaudience.

Hemaintainsanopendirectmessaging policy,ensuringdirectcommunication withhisfollowerswheneverneeded.

AccoladesinServiceandInnovation

DuringhistenureintheIndianNavy, Srinivaswashonoredwiththe Commander-in-ChiefCommendation for‘DevotiontoDuty’andtheChiefof NavalStaffCommendationfor excellenceduringthePresident’s InternationalFleetReview2016. Additionally,hewasappointedasthe OpeningSpeakerforthesixthedition ofthe‘DilliSeries’SeaPowerSeminar heldattheIndianNavalAcademyin 2019.

IntheWeb3space,hewasselectedasa Speakerontheinternationalpanel, ‘IgnitedMinds,’hostedbythe MetaverseCompany,EternMeta,

onTwitterinJuly2023.Hewasalso chosenasaSpeakertodeliveran ExpertTalkforthe21steventofthe prestigiousBharatBlockchainYatra (BBY)atChandigarhUniversity, Punjab,inMarch2024.

EmbracingChange

Despitelackingcorporateexperience andexposuretosocialmediaduring his23yearsofserviceintheIndian Navy,Srinivashasswiftlytransitioned tovariousroles,includingFranchise Consultant,Web3Advisorand CommunityManager,andSocial MediaInfluencer Thisremarkable achievementunderscoreshis adaptabilityanddetermination. Additionally,heisactivelyinvolvedin productdevelopmentcollaborations withWeb3projects,signalingthe beginningofapromising

growthtrajectory.Srinivasshareshis journeytoinspireothers,emphasizing thatit’snevertoolatetochangecourse andreinventoneself.Through opennesstonewexperiences, continuouslearning,andcontributions tocollectivesuccess,individualscan profoundlyimpactothers.

GuidingPrinciplesforSuccess

Srinivasadvocatesforpurposeful livingandperseverance,emphasizing theimportanceofcollaborationand supportforpersonalgrowth.He encouragesindividualstodefinetheir missionandvalues,allowingthemto navigatelifewithpurpose.Viewing changeasanopportunityratherthana setback,hestressesthesignificanceof networking,continuouslearning,and evolvingalongsideadiverse communitythatsharescommongoals.

Drawingfromhisexperienceasa Navyveteran,heunderscoresthat successisnotsolelyaboutreaching one’sdestinationbutalsoaboutthe journeyitself.

“Together, we can create a world that empowersandenrichesusall.”

How to Become a Strong and Effective Leader

Leadersinanyfieldarerequired tobeskilledinpersuasion.Itis thecapacitytoconvinceothers bypresentingcompellingevidenceand arguments.Inbusinessenvironments, peopleneedtopersuadeothersto considerotherpointsofview. Persuasionskillsmightbebeneficialin avarietyofprofessionalorganizations andworkplaces.

Itmaybeusedintheworkplaceto promotegoods,hireteammembersand boostoutput.Itispossibletoadvise someonepersonallyorinwritingby employinglogicalargumentation, statisticalanalysisandverifiablefacts todemonstratetheviabilityand validityofone’sposition.

Thearticledescribesanunderstanding ofpersuasiveleadership'sfundamental ideasandstrategiesandhowtoacquire theskillsnecessarytobecomea capableleader

ThreeTypesofPersuasion:

Threenaturalstrategiesforpersuading alisteneroraudiencearetheuseof ethics,reasoning,andemotion.To effectivelypersuade,onemustdevelop asolidawarenessofthesefactors.

The Power of Persuasion

Logic

Providefacts,evidence,historical information,andlogicalreasoningto backuptheclaims.Whenusinglogic asapersuasivetechnique,makesure thereasoningmakessensetothe persononeistryingtoconvince. Ratherthancriticizingothers'pointsof vieworanyreasoningtheymayhave used,trytohelppeopleunderstandthe othersideoftheargument.

Ethics

Itcanbeeasytoconvincesomeoneif otherstrustthem.Increasingcredibility iscrucialforthedesiredresult.The leader'sReputation,background,and credibilitycansupportone’s trustworthiness.It'softenthecasethat onehastopersuadetheaudiencethat themotivationsaregenerous. Establishingandretainingone’s credibilitymaytakeyears.

Emotion

Persuasionbyemotionistheprocessof influencingandpersuadingsomeone byappealingtotheiremotions.When utilizingemotiontoadvise,it'scrucial toavoidmanipulatingothersinan immoralway.Whenusingemotional appeals,thepersuadermustaccept accountabilityfortheresults.

TheSixRulesforEffective Persuasion:

ThefamousPsychologistandAuthor Dr.RobertCialdiniidentifiedsix universallypersuasiveprinciples.

Reciprocity

Ifsomeonefeelstheyhavegained somethinginreturn,theyaremore likelytocomplywitharequest.Asa leader,youcantakeadvantageofthe reciprocityprinciplebylending assistance,providingresourcesor expressinggratitude

beforerequestinganything.Thetactic promotescamaraderieandteamwork amongmembers.

SocialEvidence

Ifindividualsobserveothersengaging inabehaviour,theyaremorelikelyto followit.Socialproofisausefultool forleaderstofosteraninnovativeand cooperativeculture.Tellsuccess stories,acknowledgegroup accomplishmentsandinspireteam memberstoimparttheirknowledge andinsightstoothers.

Authority

Peoplearemoreinclinedtonoticethe adviceofsomeonetheyconsidertobe knowledgeableorauthoritative.Asa leader,onecanraisetheperceptionof one'sauthoritybydemonstrating others'knowledge,keepinguptodate onmarketdevelopments,and improvingone'sabilitiesovertime.As aresult,onecanbecomemorecredible andhavemoreinfluenceontheteam.

Liking

Someonethatpeoplelikeandtrusthas agreaterchanceofinfluencingthem. Establishconnectionandtrustwiththe teambybeingreallyinterestedintheir personalandprofessionallives, praisingandacknowledgingtheir accomplishmentsandpayingattention totheirideasandworries.Building strongbondswithpeoplewillhelpyou influenceandinspireyourgroupmore effectively

Scarcity

Anopportunitymayappearmore preciouswhenthereisasenseof scarcity.Theideacanbeappliedina leadershipsettingtoinspireasenseof urgencyandmotivateaction.

CommitmentandConsistency

Ifsomeonemakesapledgeinwriting orinpublic,theyaremorelikelyto keepit.Asaleader,youcanusethis ideatopromoteresponsibilityby havingteammembersmakeapublic commitmenttotheirobjectivesor tasks.Buildingcredibilityandtrust alsorequiressomeonetoshow dedicationandconsistency.

EndNote

Effectivepeopleskillsareessentialfor everyleaderormanager,including persuasionandinfluenceasemotional intelligencestrategies.Havingtheright peopleorsoftskillsisjustasimportant ashavingtheauthoritytoexecutein today'scomplexandchanging corporateclimate.

Whenitcomestomanagingcrossfunctionalinitiativesorinteracting withstakeholdersattheboardlevel, theeffectivenessofthepersonin chargeultimatelydetermines performance.Whenhandlingopposing viewpointsorpeopleinpositionsof authority,discretionoutperforms power

Effectiveleadersandmanagerscan leverageinterpersonalskillssuchas sensitivity,judgment,persuasionand influencetoestablishwin-win situations.Consideringthechanging natureofthebusinessenvironmentand thedynamicsofthebusiness, executivesstandtogainmorefrom establishingstrongerbondswith others.

Leadership is not about being in charge, Its about taking care of those in your charge.

- Simon Sinek

How to Your St  r Tou Times?

Inanunpredictableenvironment, leadersoftenfindthemselvesat thefrontlinesofunanticipated crises,demandingquickjudgmentsand decisiveactions.

Crisisleadership—theabilitytoleada groupororganizationthroughhard times—becomesimportantinthese circumstances.Anorganization's outcomeandlong-termviabilitycanbe greatlyimpactedbythewayits executivesrespondtocrisesandlead theirstaff.

Today'sbusinessenvironmentmakes crisesinevitableandaleader'scapacity toguideateamthroughadversity frequentlymakesthedifference betweensuccessandfailure. Additionally,itisimpossibletopredict whenacrisiswillend.Theduration canbeasshortasadayortwooras longasseveralyears.

Inthisarticle,wewilldiscusscrisis managementtechniquesforteam leaders,alongwithlessonslearnedthat applylongafterthecrisishaspassed.

TheImportanceofLeadership DuringaCrisis

Uncertaintyiscausedbycrises.People looktotheirleadersatthesetimesfor

consistency,wisdomandinspiration.In thefaceofconstantdisruptionstotheir personalandprofessionallives,great leaderspromoteregularandhonest communicationthatkeepsstaff membersinformedandencouraged.

CrisisLeadership

Thepracticeofcrisisleadership involveshandlingsudden circumstancesthatmaydestroy organizationalcohesionoreven obstructchancesforprofessional advancement.Anorganizedand analyticalapproachtocrisis managementcanfacilitatefinding creativesolutionstokeepemployees motivatedandproductivewhile reducingtheorganization'slosses. Thereareafewstrategiesthatcrisis managersandorganizationscanuseto adjustandleadduringacrisis.

ProjectHonestyandConfidence

Everyoneturnstoaleaderintimesof crisisfordirectionorconfidence; therefore,itisoneofthemost importantthingsaleadermustdo, especiallyduringacrisis.Itspreads likeacontagiousdiseasetoeveryone aroundaleaderwhomanifestsfearand anxiety.Forthisreason,itisimperative thatleadersprojectanairofdominance overthecircumstances.Workersdon't needtobereassured;theyneed someonetheycantrust.Butleaders mustexhibitmorethanjustconfidence. Honestyisalsoessential.Itwillbe extremelytemptingtosay,"Everything willbefine,"butitiscrucialfor leaderstohavearealisticoutlook.

DecisiveandAdaptable

Therearecertaincircumstancesin whichleadersmustactquicklyor decisively.Oneofthemisacrisis. Leadersmustpossesstheabilityto makesnapdecisions,andincertain situations,thatcanentailmakingtough decisions,whichtheyareawarewill costthempoints.

Thereisn'ttimetohesitateoreven considertheadvantagesand disadvantagesofachoicecarefully A leaderwhochoosestowaitandnotact willnotbeassuccessfulinweathering acrisisasonewhoactsdecisively, takesinitiativeandisflexibleenough tomodifytheirdecisionstofitthe circumstances.

ControltheChaos

Stressandfeararethemainemotions thatrunstrongduringanimmediate crisisandthiscanquicklyleadto chaosintheworkplace.Aleadermust seizetheinitiativeandpreventthe panicfromgrowing.Infact,when wordofacrisisspreads,aleader's initialinstinctisusuallytotakeaction. Thiscouldbeassimpleasbringinga spaceintoorderorascomplexas swiftlyassigningtasks.Inanycase, startingacrisisactionplanrequires thateveryoneinvolvedbededicatedto completingthecurrenttask.

ExerciseCaution

Exceptinextremecaseswherethereis nootherchoice,acrisisisnotareason toabandoncautionandtake unnecessaryrisks.Rather,leadersneed tobebothmeasuredandrapid.Here, it'simportanttoassessalltheavailable informationassoonaspossibleand thendecideonthebestcourseofaction aftercarefulconsideration.Although thismightappearlikean overwhelmingeffort,itisactuallya habitthatcanbedevelopedgradually Utilizingasharpmindisavaluable qualityforleaderstohavebecauseit helpsalotindifficultsituations.

EndNote

Intimesofcrisis,effectiveleadership demandsempathy,braveryandthe capacitytoleadandassistyourteam. Throughvaluingopencommunication, adaptability,cooperationandwellbeing,leadersmayassisttheirteamsin

overcomingobstaclesandcreating strongerbondsintheprocess.

Leadingduringdifficulttimescanbe challengingandfrightening.By implementingsomeoftheabove advice,onecanensurethattheteam staysmotivatedandcohesiveto overcomeanyobstacles.

Leadersmaysucceedindifficult circumstancesbystayingorganized, beingadaptable,attendingtoasenseof communitywithintheteam,and gettingexpertassistancewhenneeded. Teamswillhavethebestchanceof succeedingiftheirleadersexhibit fortitudeandresilienceinchallenging scenarios.

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.

- Warren Bennis