On February 16, at the Manukau Institute of Technology in Auckland, Shriram Iyer (a.k.a Siyer) delivered an inspiring 75-minute talk on The India Way of Leadership. This session emphasized the crucial foundation of self-leadership before team leadership, highlighting how timeless wisdom from Indian epics can shape modern leadership practices.
The event was attended by several members of the community and distinguished guests like:
Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, MP, Dr MM Sethi (Consul General of India), Michael Wood, Kanwaljit Bakshi, Kuldip & Shivani Arora, Venkat Raman, Yugal Parashar and Jyoti Parashar.
The opening address for the event was delivered by Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, MP who touched on the themes and her own experiences as a leader.
Key Themes Explored:
Shriram integrated music and composed original songs for the talk, enhancing each module with a unique musical experience that deepened the engagement and learning for attendees.
1. Leap of Faith – Drawing from Hanuman’s legendary leap to Lanka, Siyer discussed the importance of focus, overcoming self-doubt, and tackling challenges with courage and clarity. Leaders must cultivate belief in themselves before they can inspire others.
2. Team of Stars vs. Star Teams – Taking inspiration from the Pandavas, this concept underscored the power of collaboration, unity, and a shared higher purpose. While individual excellence is valuable, true leadership lies in building a cohesive, high-performing team.
3. The Greatest Persuasion – The Ramayana offers profound lessons in persuasion. The Ramayana presents a chain of persuasion: Manthara persuades Kaikeyi, Kaikeyi influences Dasharatha, and Dasharatha ultimately conveys the message to Rama. This cascade of influence demonstrates how persuasion operates at multiple levels, shaping destinies. This section served as a masterclass in persuasion, objection handling, and inspiring action.
4. The Ideal Student – Arjuna’s dedication to learning was a powerful example of discipline, curiosity, and adaptability. Leaders must remain lifelong learners, evolving with changing circumstances and continuously refining their skills.
What made this talk truly unique was its fusion of ancient wisdom with modern business strategies. The integration of music and original compositions for each module further enriched the learning experience, making it both immersive and memorable.
Siyer seamlessly blended storytelling and music, making the session both engaging and deeply insightful. Attendees left with a renewed perspective on leadership, armed with actionable takeaways that transcend cultures and industries.
Online Course
The course features 12 self-paced modules, allowing participants to explore leadership concepts at their own convenience.
An online course based on The India Way of Leadership is now available for everyone at $99. To learn more, email shriram@businessnirvana.com.
About Shriram Iyer
Siyer is an accomplished Indo-Australian musician, leadership speaker, and GRAMMY® voting member. With a rich background in music, performance, and coaching, he has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and has performed with legendary artists such as Shankar Mahadevan and Udit Narayan. Shriram combines his deep understanding of Indian philosophy with modern leadership principles, creating transformative experiences through his talks and workshops. -TIN Bureau
