I have been working with the corporate world for the last four decades. One thing ,I am convinced on leadership is that ,there is no substitute for “Walking the talk”. We, as leaders in society or the corporate world have to learn to walk ,before we talk. If we walk our talk, we would always be more respected.

I loved visiting campuses for recruitment of graduate engineers and management students. Every interaction in the campus, energised me and made me feel young. One of the oft asked questions in campus is – “ which career should I choose ? I would always suggest that ,choose a career, where you can learn to dirty your hands, at least in the first five years of your corporate life.

One of the temptations at the campus ,is to start your career as a consultant. There is nothing wrong with this ,since consulting companies pay very well and every young engineer or management graduate ,would be tempted to join them. They give you opportunities to work in different assignments and may be even in global exposure.

I would still urge all students to resist this temptation and join an organisation, where they can learn to dirty their hands, in their area of interest/domain. For example ,if you are in the production area, join a manufacturing organisation or if you are from sales, join an organisation where you have to meet customers and sell products or services.

This way ,you will learn the nuts and bolts of your job. Once you are able to learn the basics, it may be easier to master it and then later in your career, you could evolve as a high paying consultant , in your domain of work. But never do the mistake of becoming a consultant in the beginning of your career, where you will be advising others without even knowing the basics of your subject.

This will be like going to college ,without going to school. This may be possible for some geniuses but ordinary people like us ,need to learn and grow ,step by step. If we jump the steps, we may either miss some steps or may have a fall and it may be difficult to recover.

Life is no different. We need to practise before we preach. Whether it is family or friends, we are respected ,only when we give advice after we have done it or experienced it ,and not otherwise. We need to walk before we start talking.

It is interesting that life and work intermingles, in all aspects of management and leadership. A good leader in life may generally be a good leader at work and the other way around. All great leaders I have worked with ,always led by example and not by words.

It is like a marathon. Is it possible to run a marathon by reading a book. It may not be feasible. We need to start walking, then running a few kilometres a day and then may be half marathon before we attempt our first full marathon in life.

A coach who has practised what she is preaching, is more respected than a coach who is like a theoretical preacher. Just as in sports , players respect coaches who can show “how” rather than, those who tell you “what” to do.

Let us learn to walk before we talk from today.

S Ramesh Shankar

17th May 2025