MANAGEMENT MANTRA
MANAGEMENT MANTRA - “Walk The Talk” Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council
- Sharmila Chand
- Jan 04, 2024

Rajan
Bahadur has more than 35 years of extensive cross-industry experience in FMCG, travel
and tourism, financial services, hospitality and the social sector. The CEO of Tourism
& Hospitality Skill Council has managed large cross-cultural teams across
national and global platforms, occupying a wide range of senior positions in
sales, marketing, PR, communication and general management.
His
well-established relationships in the corporate world as well as with government
bodies are a result of his hard work and splendid communication skills. He has
in the past been MD and CEO of CARE India, COO of Unison Hotels and MD of Lebua
Hotels & Resorts, among other organisations.
In
his current capacity as CEO of Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (a
public-private partnership under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship of the Union government), his vision is to bridge the gap
in the skill ecosystem. His focus is on empowering the youth with appropriate
skills so that they are ready to be placed in the tourism and hospitality
sector.
He
is extremely passionate about creating business solutions, making the most of
the opportunities presented by the market, delivering on stakeholders’
expectations, reaching customer commitment targets and enhancing employee
engagement goals.
Sharmila Chand meets
up with Mr Bahadur and is impressed to learn about his management principles,
ideas and practices that have helped him in his personal and professional
lives.
Your five
management mantras
1 Clear communication:
Effective communication is at the core of good management. It involves not only
conveying your ideas but also active listening. Managers should ensure that
their team members understand their expectations, goals and feedback.
Transparent and open communication fosters trust and collaboration.
2 Walk the talk: As a
leader, one should set the standard for behaviour, work ethic and
professionalism. Leading by example means demonstrating the values and work
habits you expect from your team. Your actions speak louder than words.
3 Empower and delegate:
Effective managers understand that they cannot do everything themselves. They
empower their team members by delegating tasks and responsibilities. Trust your
team to handle their work, and give them the autonomy they need to excel.
Micromanagement often stifles creativity and productivity.
4 Continuous learning and adaptation: The business world
is constantly evolving. To stay relevant and successful, managers need to learn
and adapt continuously. This mantra
encourages a growth mindset, a willingness to embrace change and a commitment
to ongoing self-improvement.
5 Take calculated risk: with
members, and believe in their capabilities.
Any game that
helps your career
I
love cross-country cycling, and it offers several valuable lessons. Cross-country
cycling is a great way to exercise, which is beneficial for both your physical
and mental health. It requires a lot of discipline. You need to be able to
stick to a training plan. When you are cycling, you need to focus on the
present moment, which can help to take your mind off your worries. The fresh
air and exercise can also help to improve your mood and reduce stress levels.
Turning point in
your career life
During
my career span of over 35 years, not only have I changed jobs and climbed the
ladder but have also changed industries from FMCG to financial services to
travel and tourism to hospitality and now into social sector. Each of the moves
were thought through and enabled me to not only learn about the new industry
but also motivated me to “UP” my learning curve. Lessons learnt and mistakes
made all resulted in I becoming a better professional and better human being.
Secret of your
success
There
is no one secret to success. Success is different for everyone, and what works
for one person may not work for another. However, my secrets to success are:
1 Set clear goals, and have a plan: Break
down your goals into smaller, more manageable milestones, and set deadlines for
yourself.
2 Work hard and party harder:
Success does not happen overnight. It takes hard work and dedication to achieve
your goals. Do not give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult things get.
3 Adaptability: The
world is constantly changing, and successful people can adapt to change and
learn new things.
4 Positive attitude: A
positive attitude can help you to overcome challenges and stay motivated.
Believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
5 Surround yourself with positive people: The
people you spend time with can have a big impact on your success. Surround
yourself with positive people who support your larger goals.
Your philosophy of
work
My
philosophy is based on a number of factors which are:
1 Work-life balance: It is important
to maintain a balance between your professional and personal lives. It
encourages people to prioritise their well-being, relationships and personal
interests alongside their careers.
2 Purpose-driven work: Find
meaning and fulfilment in work that aligns with your personal values and a
greater sense of purpose.
3 Growth and learning: View
work as a platform for continuous growth and learning. It suggests that each
job or task, regardless of its nature, can be an opportunity to acquire new
skills, knowledge and experiences.
4 Quality over quantity: It
emphasises the importance of doing work to the best of your abilities rather
than focusing solely on productivity or output.
A person you
admire
I
have had the fortune of working with several leaders and mentors who have
played a vital role in moulding my personality. I cannot forget my first boss
who inculcated the habit of preparing for meetings and discussions well in time,
being a good listener and never shying away from asking relevant questions.
Your sounding board
“My
5 some” college buddies – we still meet, joke, criticise and give fair advice
whenever asked for.
Your fitness regime
I
am a foodie and change my waistline meal to meal. To keep that in control, I do
cross-country cycling and regular walks. This is in addition to a balanced diet
(as far as possible) that helps me maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What message on
management would you like to give to youngsters?
Management
is not just about telling others what to do; it’s about inspiring, guiding and
empowering a team to achieve common goals. Nobody has died of hard work. There
are no shortcuts to growth. Trust your team members to make decisions and take
ownership of their work. Delegating responsibilities and providing autonomy
foster growth and innovation.
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