Neeraj Aggarwal
Guest is known for...
Neeraj is the Chair, Asia Pacific at Boston Consulting Group and a key driving force behind Plaksha University, an institution that seeks to reimagine technology education and undertake transformative research to address grand challenges. Neeraj has over 25 years of experience with clients spanning multiple sectors and has worked closely with more than 100 CEOs over the years, across geographies ranging from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.
Here's what I will learn...
In this podcast, we explore Neeraj’s journey from his humble beginnings in Assandh, Haryana and explore his perspectives on how leadership has evolved in the age of AI.
Neeraj is also a great exemplar of leading a full life playing to potential in a holistic sense. In our conversation, Neeraj shares how he balances intense professional commitments with personal life and his dedication to nation-building through education reform.
We delve into the innovative educational playbook at Plaksha University, focusing on interdisciplinary learning and sustainable development, and discuss the impact of AI on leadership and the importance of integrating technology with human judgment.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION
From the Podcast
It is really inspiring to hear about Neeraj’s journey from A to B. From Assandh to BCG. It is just fascinating to see what the power of education can be in transforming lives. Neeraj’s story is a shining example of how at every stage, his parents chose to invest and send him to the best possible institution they could and how that has played a role in his growth.
Do look up the Curated Playlist on Formative years for how many other leaders have been shaped by their early years.
Neeraj speaks about how he approached leadership when he was the head of India. He speaks about how he strived to move everybody a little bit to the right of the bell curve wherever they were. He goes on to speak about how the Asia leadership role is much more about inspiration than specific direction.
Neeraj speaks about how growing up in India helps one deal with ambiguity and diversity that is often helpful when one is leading a heterogenous group of markets.
Neeraj speaks about how he has tuned into the vital few things that energize him (good conversations with good people, kids, sport, Plaksha). He speaks about how he has been intentional in architecting this portfolio.
Neeraj speaks about how he has gone about bringing in a delay function and systematically trained his mind to respond and not react in the heat of the moment.
Neeraj speaks about how he prioritized trust as a default and cultivated an optimistic mindset.
Neeraj speaks about how he moved from an output orientation to an excellence orientation, provoked by the feedback from the head of the Computer Science Department at IIT Delhi.
Neeraj speaks about how, given the emergence of AI, the integrative skill of leadership will become even more important. He also speaks about how we need to discern when to leverage AI to our benefit. He warns us that abdicating completely to AI may not be a good idea!
Neeraj speaks about the vision behind Plaksha University, a state of art institution that has come up near Chandigarh. He also reflects on the nuances in the leadership ask at a Plaksha versus BCG.