The Most Dynamic Leader To Follow in 2024

1. Srinivas Buddharaju

3. Leadership is not about titles, positions, or owcharts. It is about one life inuencing another. J O H N C . M A X W E L L www.insightsssucess.com

5. Editor’s VIEW A True Leader Inspires People to Lead Themselves he hallmark of a great leader is not just getting people to follow their vision, but enabling and inspiring T others to become leaders in their own right. A true leader empowers those around them to take ownership, think critically, and drive initiatives themselves. Rather than dictating orders from on high, an inspirational leader paints a vivid picture of the goal and rationale, but gives their team the autonomy to chart their own course to get there. They provide guardrails and high-level guidance, but don't micromanage every step. This allows people to put their unique skills and perspectives to work in achieving collective objectives. A transformational leader uplifts others by believing in their abilities perhaps more than they believe in themselves. Through coaching, feedback, and leading by example, they instill confidence. They celebrate small wins to further motivate and show that meaningful progress is possible through perseverance. By granting authority, removing roadblocks, and developing their people's leadership capabilities, a great leader creates a Self-energizing, Self-sustaining leadership pipeline. The organization becomes an ensemble of leaders, not just followers—a powerful force for continual growth and impact. Highlighting one such leader, Insights Success brings forth an edition, The Most Dynamic Leader to Follow in 2024, showcasing leaders from various industries who exemplify this ethos of inspiring others to lead themselves. From innovative entrepreneurs to visionary CEOs, these individuals have not only achieved personal success but have also cultivated a culture of leadership within their organizations. One such leader featured in this edition is Srinivas Buddharaju, the Strategic Advisor of a successful tech startup Metasky. Have a good read ahead!

6. Creds Editor-in-Chief Merry D'Souza Managing Editor Preston Bannister Executive Editor Eva Miller Visualizer Michael Warner Art & Design Head Donna Claus Co-designer Yasmin Nasser Business Development Manager Sherin Rodricks Marketing Manager Jenny Jordan Business Development Executives Reem Almasoud, Sheldon Miller Digital Marketing Manager Isabel Barnes Technical Head Phil Simon Research Analyst Helena Smith Circulation Manager Finn Wilson sales@insightssuccess.com April, 2024 Corporate Ofce Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100, Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-859-2600 Email: info@insightssuccess.com For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.com www.twitter.com/insightssuccess Follow us on : www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ We are also available on : RNI No.: MAHENG/2018/75953 Copyright © 2024 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success.

7. Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world. - Roy T. Bennett www.insightsssucess.com

8. F E A T U R I N G ! Srinivas Leveraging Experience in the Digital Age Despite lacking expertise in software development, his grasp of the technology enabled him to forge connections across various verticals within the Web3 industry.

9. Srinivas Buddharaju Strategic Advisor Metasky

10. A Journey of Adaptability and Resilience! Leading by example and n a rapidly advancing tech landscape, the Web3 tech industry demonstrating empathy towards his I has emerged as a frontier of team emerged as the hallmarks of innovation and transformation. With its decentralized approach and focus on Srinivas’s leadership approach. blockchain technology, Web3 is redefining traditional paradigms across various sectors, from finance to entertainment and beyond. of Fighter Aircraft. He gained oversaw the operation of a small ship Leading the charge in navigating this extensive experience serving on in remote island territories and dynamic industry is Srinivas various frontline warships and managed the administration of Buddharaju, a Strategic Advisor participating in active operations. approximately 50 personnel. Due to the with a distinguished background in the Throughout his career, he held three ship’s size, he interacted closely with Indian Navy. Leveraging his extensive training assignments, which provided the sailors, fostering a strong rapport experience in leadership and strategic him with valuable skills in people with his team. Subsequently, he was planning, Srinivas brings invaluable engagement, research, and public assigned to another small warship insights to the forefront of Web3 speaking. based in Chennai, tasked with initiatives, guiding organizations patrolling the coast of Tamil Nadu toward sustainable growth and success. Following his retirement from the during a period of heightened LTTE At the forefront of this technological Navy, Srinivas pursued further threat. In both assignments, he led anti- revolution stands Metasky, a education and enrolled in the poaching, anti-piracy, and anti- pioneering entity driving innovation in PGPMAX Executive MBA Program at smuggling operations, which shaped the Web3 community space. With a the Indian School of Business (ISB), his hands-on leadership style. Leading commitment to fostering resilient Hyderabad. In November 2023, he by example and demonstrating ecosystems and empowering digital connected with Metasky, a startup empathy towards his team emerged as interactions, Metasky epitomizes the operating in the Web3 Community the hallmarks of his leadership transformative potential of Web3 space, and found significant synergies approach. technology. Collaborating with with the company’s Creative Director. industry leaders like Srinivas, Metasky This connection eventually led to his From Naval Officer to Web3 Leader continues to shape the future of decision to join Metasky immediately decentralized platforms, creating after completing his course at ISB. In 2016, Srinivas represented the opportunities for meaningful Indian Navy in an International Civil- engagement and collective Srinivas appreciates the positive Military Course at the Naval advancement. organizational culture established by Postgraduate School in the USA, Metasky’s Founder, which contributes where he first encountered Let’s delve in to learn more: to his enjoyment and satisfaction in his cryptocurrency and blockchain current role as a Strategic Advisor at technology. Despite its early stages, A Veteran’s Transition to New the company. upon further research, he recognized Frontiers the potential utilities of blockchain and Leadership in Action became intrigued by the idea of Srinivas joined the National Defence involvement in related ventures. Academy in Pune in 1995 and was Following his initial training in the Following his retirement from the subsequently commissioned into the Navy, Srinivas assumed the role of Indian Navy in July 2022, he immersed Indian Navy as an Officer upon Executive Officer (the second in himself in the Web3 space and swiftly completing ab initio training in 1999. command) of a small amphibious ship ascended to the role of Community During his tenure in the Navy, he stationed in the Andaman & Nicobar Leader within the industry. Leveraging specialized as a Surface Warfare Islands. This appointment thrust him his understanding of the technology, he Officer on Warships, focusing on the into a leadership position, where he provided guidance and support to Navigation of Ships and the Direction

11. numerous projects and founders embarking on ventures in the Web3 arena, particularly focusing on community building. Despite lacking expertise in software development, his grasp of the technology-enabled him to forge connections across various verticals within the Web3 industry. Enhancing Strategy Through Experience Srinivas’s background in security operations and quality control inspection has equipped him with foresight, meticulous attention to detail, and a steadfast commitment to discipline. These attributes serve as valuable assets in his current capacity, enabling him to devise more efficient and agile strategies for his role. Balancing Commitments, Navigating Transitions Srinivas has encountered challenges balancing family commitments, including caring for an elderly father and raising teenage children, alongside daily household responsibilities. During his tenure in the Navy, the demanding nature of his duties made it difficult to allocate sufficient time to his family. Following his retirement, he prioritized a more balanced approach, dedicating time to family matters. In recent years, particularly in 2021 and 2022, the Web3 sector showed promise, but geopolitical issues in 2023 prompted Srinivas to focus on networking and skill development. He pursued a PGPMAX Executive MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, to enhance his capabilities and establish connections with senior executives in the corporate sector. Concurrently, he concentrated on cultivating relationships within the Web3 community, engaging with projects and communities active in the space. Despite being outside the typical

12. age group of startup employees, his efforts in networking and skill-building facilitated his transition to a role at a startup like Metasky. Fostering Resilient Communities He highlights his strengths in people skills and leadership, which have proven instrumental in his post- retirement community management roles. Over the past two years, he has been actively engaged in building communities, emphasizing the importance of keeping them engaged. Srinivas acknowledges the inevitable fluctuations in community dynamics, ranging from periods of excitement to times of apprehension and uncertainty. Recognizing the dual nature of social media as both a facilitator and magnifier of community emotions, he stresses the importance of adhering to fundamental principles. Regardless of the prevailing sentiment within the community, he believes that projects must remain steadfast in their commitment to their roadmap. Srinivas asserts that resilient communities are forged by projects that maintain their focus and continue their work despite external pressures. Productivity Through Social Engagement During his tenure in the Navy, Srinivas led a demanding 24x7 lifestyle. However, upon retirement, he found himself with more leisure time, which initially led to tendencies of procrastination. To counteract this, he proactively engaged in social media, particularly on Twitter, where he quickly amassed over 16,000 followers. Regularly creating content became a means for him to stay productive and avoid lethargy. Srinivas focuses on generating content by analyzing markets and specific projects while also sharing valuable information with his audience.

13. growth trajectory. Srinivas shares his journey to inspire others, emphasizing that it’s never too late to change course and reinvent oneself. Through openness to new experiences, continuous learning, and contributions to collective success, individuals can profoundly impact others. Guiding Principles for Success Srinivas advocates for purposeful living and perseverance, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support for personal growth. He encourages individuals to define their mission and values, allowing them to navigate life with purpose. Viewing change as an opportunity rather than a setback, he stresses the significance of networking, continuous learning, and evolving alongside a diverse community that shares common goals. Drawing from his experience as a Navy veteran, he underscores that success is not solely about reaching one’s destination but also about the journey itself. “Together, we can create a world that He maintains an open direct messaging on Twitter in July 2023. He was also empowers and enriches us all.” policy, ensuring direct communication chosen as a Speaker to deliver an with his followers whenever needed. Expert Talk for the 21st event of the prestigious Bharat Blockchain Yatra Accolades in Service and Innovation (BBY) at Chandigarh University, Punjab, in March 2024. During his tenure in the Indian Navy, Srinivas was honored with the Embracing Change Commander-in-Chief Commendation for ‘Devotion to Duty’ and the Chief of Despite lacking corporate experience Naval Staff Commendation for and exposure to social media during excellence during the President’s his 23 years of service in the Indian International Fleet Review 2016. Navy, Srinivas has swiftly transitioned Additionally, he was appointed as the to various roles, including Franchise Opening Speaker for the sixth edition Consultant, Web3 Advisor and of the ‘Dilli Series’ Sea Power Seminar Community Manager, and Social held at the Indian Naval Academy in Media Influencer. This remarkable 2019. achievement underscores his adaptability and determination. In the Web3 space, he was selected as a Additionally, he is actively involved in Speaker on the international panel, product development collaborations ‘Ignited Minds,’ hosted by the with Web3 projects, signaling the Metaverse Company, Etern Meta, beginning of a promising

14. How to Become a and Leader eaders in any field are required to be skilled in persuasion. It is L the capacity to convince others by presenting compelling evidence and arguments. In business environments, people need to persuade others to consider other points of view. Persuasion skills might be beneficial in a variety of professional organizations and workplaces. It may be used in the workplace to promote goods, hire team members and boost output. It is possible to advise someone personally or in writing by employing logical argumentation, statistical analysis and verifiable facts to demonstrate the viability and validity of one’s position. The article describes an understanding of persuasive leadership's fundamental ideas and strategies and how to acquire the skills necessary to become a capable leader. Three Types of Persuasion: Three natural strategies for persuading a listener or audience are the use of ethics, reasoning, and emotion. To effectively persuade, one must develop a solid awareness of these factors.

15. The Power of Persuasion

16. Logic before requesting anything. The tactic Commitment and Consistency promotes camaraderie and teamwork Provide facts, evidence, historical among members. If someone makes a pledge in writing information, and logical reasoning to or in public, they are more likely to back up the claims. When using logic Social Evidence keep it. As a leader, you can use this as a persuasive technique, make sure idea to promote responsibility by the reasoning makes sense to the If individuals observe others engaging having team members make a public person one is trying to convince. in a behaviour, they are more likely to commitment to their objectives or Rather than criticizing others' points of follow it. Social proof is a useful tool tasks. Building credibility and trust view or any reasoning they may have for leaders to foster an innovative and also requires someone to show used, try to help people understand the cooperative culture. Tell success dedication and consistency. other side of the argument. stories, acknowledge group accomplishments and inspire team End Note Ethics members to impart their knowledge and insights to others. Effective people skills are essential for It can be easy to convince someone if every leader or manager, including others trust them. Increasing credibility Authority persuasion and influence as emotional is crucial for the desired result. The intelligence strategies. Having the right People are more inclined to notice the leader's Reputation, background, and people or soft skills is just as important advice of someone they consider to be credibility can support one’s as having the authority to execute in knowledgeable or authoritative. As a today's complex and changing trustworthiness. It's often the case that leader, one can raise the perception of corporate climate. one has to persuade the audience that one's authority by demonstrating the motivations are generous. others' knowledge, keeping up to date When it comes to managing cross- Establishing and retaining one’s on market developments, and functional initiatives or interacting credibility may take years. improving one's abilities over time. As with stakeholders at the board level, a result, one can become more credible the effectiveness of the person in Emotion and have more influence on the team. charge ultimately determines performance. When handling opposing Persuasion by emotion is the process of Liking viewpoints or people in positions of influencing and persuading someone by appealing to their emotions. When authority, discretion outperforms utilizing emotion to advise, it's crucial Someone that people like and trust has power. to avoid manipulating others in an a greater chance of influencing them. immoral way. When using emotional Establish connection and trust with the Effective leaders and managers can appeals, the persuader must accept team by being really interested in their leverage interpersonal skills such as accountability for the results. personal and professional lives, sensitivity, judgment, persuasion and praising and acknowledging their influence to establish win-win The Six Rules for Effective accomplishments and paying attention situations. Considering the changing Persuasion: to their ideas and worries. Building nature of the business environment and strong bonds with people will help you the dynamics of the business, The famous Psychologist and Author influence and inspire your group more executives stand to gain more from Dr. Robert Cialdini identified six effectively. establishing stronger bonds with universally persuasive principles. others. Scarcity Reciprocity An opportunity may appear more If someone feels they have gained precious when there is a sense of something in return, they are more scarcity. The idea can be applied in a likely to comply with a request. As a leadership setting to inspire a sense of leader, you can take advantage of the urgency and motivate action. reciprocity principle by lending assistance, providing resources or expressing gratitude

17. Leadership is not about being in charge, Its about taking care of those in your charge. - Simon Sinek

18. How to Your Str Tou Times? n an unpredictable environment, leaders often find themselves at I the frontlines of unanticipated crises, demanding quick judgments and decisive actions. Crisis leadership—the ability to lead a group or organization through hard times—becomes important in these circumstances. An organization's outcome and long-term viability can be greatly impacted by the way its executives respond to crises and lead their staff. Today's business environment makes crises inevitable and a leader's capacity to guide a team through adversity frequently makes the difference between success and failure. Additionally, it is impossible to predict when a crisis will end. The duration can be as short as a day or two or as long as several years. In this article, we will discuss crisis management techniques for team leaders, along with lessons learned that apply long after the crisis has passed. The Importance of Leadership During a Crisis Uncertainty is caused by crises. People look to their leaders at these times for

19. Leadership in Crisis consistency, wisdom and inspiration. In the face of constant disruptions to their personal and professional lives, great leaders promote regular and honest communication that keeps staff members informed and encouraged. Crisis Leadership The practice of crisis leadership involves handling sudden circumstances that may destroy organizational cohesion or even obstruct chances for professional advancement. An organized and analytical approach to crisis management can facilitate finding creative solutions to keep employees motivated and productive while reducing the organization's losses. There are a few strategies that crisis managers and organizations can use to adjust and lead during a crisis. Project Honesty and Confidence Everyone turns to a leader in times of crisis for direction or confidence; therefore, it is one of the most important things a leader must do, especially during a crisis. It spreads like a contagious disease to everyone around a leader who manifests fear and anxiety. For this reason, it is imperative that leaders project an air of dominance over the circumstances. Workers don't need to be reassured; they need someone they can trust. But leaders must exhibit more than just confidence. Honesty is also essential. It will be extremely tempting to say, "Everything will be fine," but it is crucial for leaders to have a realistic outlook. Decisive and Adaptable There are certain circumstances in which leaders must act quickly or decisively. One of them is a crisis. Leaders must possess the ability to make snap decisions, and in certain situations, that can entail making tough decisions, which they are aware will cost them points.

20. There isn't time to hesitate or even overcoming obstacles and creating consider the advantages and stronger bonds in the process. disadvantages of a choice carefully. A leader who chooses to wait and not act Leading during difficult times can be will not be as successful in weathering challenging and frightening. By a crisis as one who acts decisively, implementing some of the above takes initiative and is flexible enough advice, one can ensure that the team to modify their decisions to fit the stays motivated and cohesive to circumstances. overcome any obstacles. Control the Chaos Leaders may succeed in difficult circumstances by staying organized, Stress and fear are the main emotions being adaptable, attending to a sense of that run strong during an immediate community within the team, and crisis and this can quickly lead to getting expert assistance when needed. chaos in the workplace. A leader must Teams will have the best chance of succeeding if their leaders exhibit seize the initiative and prevent the fortitude and resilience in challenging panic from growing. In fact, when scenarios. word of a crisis spreads, a leader's initial instinct is usually to take action. This could be as simple as bringing a space into order or as complex as swiftly assigning tasks. In any case, starting a crisis action plan requires that everyone involved be dedicated to completing the current task. Exercise Caution Except in extreme cases where there is no other choice, a crisis is not a reason to abandon caution and take unnecessary risks. Rather, leaders need to be both measured and rapid. Here, it's important to assess all the available information as soon as possible and then decide on the best course of action after careful consideration. Although this might appear like an overwhelming effort, it is actually a habit that can be developed gradually. Utilizing a sharp mind is a valuable quality for leaders to have because it helps a lot in difficult situations. End Note In times of crisis, effective leadership demands empathy, bravery and the capacity to lead and assist your team. Through valuing open communication, adaptability, cooperation and well- being, leaders may assist their teams in

23. Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. - Warren Bennis