Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran reflects on Ratan Tata¡¯s legacy, humanity and lifelong impact
Ratan Tata's passing has had a profound impact on those who knew him. His legacy in business and philanthropy continues to inspire. Born in 1937, Tata took over the Tata Group in 1991 and turned it into a global powerhouse, increasing revenue from USD 5.8 billion to USD 85 billion by the time he resigned.
Naturally, it even had a greater impact on people who closely worked with him over the years, one of which is -?N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons.?
What did the Chairman of Tata Sons say about Ratan Tata??
In an elaborate post on LinkedIn,?N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons recounted his professional and personal connection with Ratan Tata.? "Anybody who met Mr Tata came away with a story about his humanity, warmth, and dreams for India. There really was no one like him,"?Chairman shares.?
Adding further, "Our relationship grew over the years, first focusing on business and eventually evolving into a more personal connection. We discussed interests ranging from cars to hotels, but when our conversations turned to other matters¡ªthose of daily life¡ªhe would show how much he noticed and felt. He was someone to be discovered, over time and through experience."
"Focused on making sure employees were well taken care of"?
Describing an instance when Chandrasekaran became chairman and was presented with an unsolved dispute about the company. he writes, " I was introduced to a situation within Tata Motors which involved a dispute between the company and the employees¡¯ union over wages for two years. In March ¡®17, Mr. Tata and I met the union leaders together. During the meeting, Mr Tata relayed three messages: he regretted the delay in finding a resolution. He explained that the company was passing through hardship. And both of us committed that this dispute would be concluded within a fortnight. Mr. Tata¡¯s direction squarely focused on making sure employees were well taken care of¡ªnot just to resolve the dispute, but to ensure their and their families¡¯ well-being."
Further adding, "Across other Group companies, his perspective on employees was uniform. It is something that has shaped a number of our leaders across the Group."?
"Where will the dogs go?"
When Chandrasekaran expressed a desire to renovate Bombay House, a historic building that serves as the head office of the Tata Group in Mumbai, Tata's first concern was about the well-being of the dogs. Chairman assured to take care of the dogs and here's what happened.?
"'Where will the dogs go?' The dogs were an integral part of Bombay House, often seen at the reception.¡°We will build a kennel.¡±¡°Really?¡± he said, considering it.When the renovation of Bombay House was complete, Mr Tata wanted to see the kennel first.He was very happy to see how thoughtful the kennel¡¯s design was, and how well the dogs would be cared for," the chairman writes.?
"His memory was photographic"
Thinking about Tata, he further writes, "If Mr. Tata ever visited a place, he could recall everything¡ªfrom the placement of a smallest piece of furniture, the lighting, colours, and so on. His memory was photographic. He remembered the covers and content of books and magazines and referred to them even years later. He was always observing and processing, from large ideas to minute detail."
The Chairman concludes his remembrance post with: "There is so much else to say about who he was, but for now, as I process his absence, this will have to do: His eye received everything clearly, as his mind perceived everything clearly."?
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