09 Dec Creating a Thriving Work Culture
Krish Ramakrishnan, VP of Client Engagement, joins Solveig Brown to discuss leadership, workplace culture, conflict management, and mentoring. Krish shares insights on creating a thriving work culture where employees think independently, collaborate freely, and drive innovation.
The Leadership Philosophy: People and Teams Matter
Krish firmly believes that “people and teams make things happen.” He shares a formative early-career experience at a steel plant where he learned the importance of recognizing and valuing employees. His managing director instilled in him a key lesson:
- Know your employees personally – Names, families, and life stories matter.
- High morale leads to high productivity – Engaged employees perform better.
- Leadership is about service – It’s not about you; it’s about your team.
Encouraging Ownership and Accountability
Krish emphasizes the importance of guiding employees to think for themselves rather than simply following orders. He recommends:
- Clearly defining the purpose and mission – Employees need to know why their work matters.
- Creating a safe space for sharing ideas – Open communication leads to innovation.
- Encouraging diverse voices – Leaders should invite and value input from all team members.
Building a Culture of Innovation and Emotional Investment
Krish shares two powerful case studies on creating engaged and innovative teams:
1. Google’s Culture of Innovation
- Google encourages bold thinking with its Ten-X Philosophy—ideas must be 10x better, not just 10% better.
- Employees are empowered to challenge and collaborate, fostering breakthrough innovations.
2. The Taj Hotel’s Courageous Employees
- During the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, Taj Hotel employees risked their lives to protect guests.
- This was a result of value-based hiring, where emotional intelligence, respect, and service were prioritized over technical skills.
- A deeply ingrained culture of selfless service enabled employees to act courageously.
Managing Conflict: A Leader’s Crucial Role
Krish admits that early in his career, he avoided conflict, a strategy he now knows is ineffective. His conflict resolution approach includes:
- Addressing conflict directly – Avoidance leads to team disengagement.
- Coaching difficult personalities – Understand individual perspectives and guide them constructively.
- Encouraging professional disagreement – Debate sharpens ideas and strengthens outcomes.
The Power of Mentoring
Krish is a firm advocate for mentoring, believing that mentorship is essential at all career levels. He highlights that:
- Mentorship isn’t just for executives; junior employees also need guidance.
- It’s a two-way relationship where mentors learn as much as mentees.
- Having a mentor provides valuable perspective and support throughout one’s career.
His own mentor, the managing director from his first job, remained a guiding influence until his passing.
Leadership Advice: Earn Your Stripes
Krish’s advice for aspiring leaders is simple:
- Leadership is not a title—it’s earned.
- Respect and trust must be built over time.
- A true leader inspires people to follow, rather than commanding them.
The Key to Continuous Growth: Curiosity
Krish’s guiding philosophy is never stop learning:
- He is an avid reader and stays connected with academia.
- Continuous learning keeps him sharp and engaged.
- “Curiosity drives everything,” he says, and he plans to keep learning for the next 40 years.
Conclusion
Krish Ramakrishnan’s leadership insights emphasize people-first management, open communication, and lifelong learning. His advice resonates across industries: create a thriving work culture where employees feel valued, challenge the status quo, and encourage ownership and accountability.
Recommended Resources
- How Google Works by Eric Schmidt & Jonathan Rosenberg
- The Ordinary Heroes of the Taj, Harvard Business Review
About Krish Ramakrishnan
Krish Ramakrishnan’s career spans nearly four decades across three continents and multiple industries. He believes in the philosophy that “people and teams make things happen.” Over his distinguished career, he has held leadership roles at organizations like GE Aircraft Engines, Detroit Edison Nuclear Power Plant, SunTrust Bank, and more. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Client Engagement at FICO.