When we place purpose at the centre, profit comes in a natural and steady way.
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
We often see leaders running after numbers, targets and profits in the modern corporate world. But Mr. Sridhar Aranala, Vice President of Sales and Distribution at The Hindu Group, invites us to pause and look deeper. In a heartfelt conversation on Global TV with Prof. Jolly Jose, he shared life lessons from his thirty-four-year journey. He also spoke about the soul of his book Within. His message touched a simple truth.
Mr. Aranala explained this through a very human picture. He said that people are naturally drawn to chase something. Today, that chase is often profit. But he gently reminded us that the real mistake is not the chase. The mistake is the order. When we place profit before purpose, we lose our way. When we place purpose before profit, we feel connected, responsible and alive. This feeling creates stronger organizations and happier people. Profit then becomes a natural result of meaningful work.
When the discussion moved to leadership, Mr. Aranala shared something very simple and very powerful. He said that a good human being becomes a good leader. According to him, the true test of leadership is the desire to grow another person into a leader. Many people guide others, but very few accept, trust and celebrate the success of the people they mentor. He reminded us that the journey of leadership is not only about results. It is also about the values we hold in our heart when we move toward those results.
Mr. Sridhar Aranala also spoke about the sadness that often exists in the corporate environment. Many employees feel distant from their company. He offered a healing thought. He described the relationship between a person and an organization as a mutual bond, something like a marriage. This bond breaks when people see the company as something outside them. But when they feel they belong to the company and carry its name with pride, their choices become easier and more honest. They feel part of something larger than themselves.
A very meaningful part of the discussion was about a tool from his book called Group Reflection. This is a simple idea. It encourages people to stop seeing different opinions as threats and to start seeing them as new angles. When we listen without fear, a debate slowly becomes a shared discovery. But for this to work, Mr. Aranala stressed the importance of integrity. He warned about the habit of talking again after the official discussion ends. These hidden conversations weaken trust and harm teamwork. One of the most touching insights he shared was about labels. He said that labels may look harmless but they quietly limit people. Even a good label can create pressure. A negative label can close a person’s future. He urged leaders to guide people by looking at what they can become tomorrow, not by judging them for what they were yesterday.
Within is not only for leaders. It is for students, young professionals, teams and anyone who wishes to grow with others. His conversation with Prof. Jose reminded us that real leadership begins inside the heart. When we lead from within, we create workplaces that feel human, hopeful and full of possibility.
Prof. Dr. Jolly Jose is a respected academic and strategic leader. She serves as Professor and Chairperson for Strategic Engagements – Research and Innovations. In this role, she works where education meets real life. She builds bridges between research and practical action. She also helps create innovation networks and partnerships that bring real progress. Throughout her career, Prof. Dr. Jolly Jose has focused on expanding knowledge and guiding leaders. She has a sharp and thoughtful way of understanding ideas. She can take difficult topics and explain them in a clear and meaningful way. In her conversations with experienced professionals, like author and business leader Mr. Sridhar Aranala, she brings out the human side of leadership. Her discussions help people see the values that create honest, strong and lasting success in any organization.
So proud to get associated with Sridhar Sir under his great leadership