Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
There is a very interesting though not very well known story about the Indo – Pak War of 1971. The West Pakistan Army had unleashed a lot of atrocities bordering genocide on the population of East Pakistan which were of totally different ethnicity.
In the military operation which India had to launch to stem the tide of millions of refugees coming in, the battles were frontal and progress, though steady, was slow. The Pak Army hierarchy was concentrated in the capital Dhaka well protected by many layers of defensive lines and natural obstacles. In normal course it would have taken a long time.
One of Corps Commanders Lt Gen Sagat Singh conceived a brilliant idea of bypassing the defensive lines and directly hitting the Dhaka defences. And the Race to Dhaka began in real ernest. It saw rapid advances and post independent India’s first and only batallion level airborne operation in which 2 Para was air dropped over Tangail.
The capture of Dhaka was formalized in a few days and the whole facade of Pak Army defence crumbled. The historic surrender by Pak Army in the East Pakistan saw capture of 93,000 Prisoners of War and creation of a new nation Bangladesh.
If Lt Gen Sagat Singh had not executed this audacious plan (it is said that his higher HQ were also taken by surprise) the war could have lingered on for some more weeks calling into proceedings the diplomatic pressure and other restraints on our freedom of action. The casualties would have been much more and the scintillating effect of dramatic success in the 14 days War would have been much depreciated and would have proven costly to the Nation.
Leaders have to have long sighted vision, capability to arrive at strategically favourable course of action and broad shoulders to execute their plans!
Navigating the vast and ever-changing ocean of competition, technological disruption, and economic uncertainty requires effective leadership. Exceptional leaders possess strategic foresight, the ability to anticipate future challenges and trends and chart a course to success. But what exactly is strategic foresight, and how can you cultivate it within yourself?
Strategic foresight involves analyzing the big picture, anticipating future trends, and developing long-term plans. It’s about more than reacting to change; it’s about proactively shaping your journey. Here’s why it’s crucial and how you can develop it:
Staying informed is the first step. Become a voracious consumer of information, keeping abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and global economic shifts. The more perspectives you expose yourself to, the better equipped you’ll be to identify emerging trends.
Scenario planning is key. The future isn’t fixed; there are multiple possibilities. By exploring different potential futures and their implications, you can develop a more adaptable approach to uncertainty.
Understanding your organization’s internal capabilities is essential. Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Leverage your strengths, capitalize on opportunities, and develop contingency plans for threats.
Cultivate a culture of continuous learning within your organization. Encourage your team to stay informed, attend professional development opportunities, and share their knowledge. Diverse perspectives lead to more insightful strategic planning.
Translate insights into action. Develop clear goals and a roadmap for achieving them. Align resources, delegate effectively, and establish metrics to track progress. Strategic foresight without action is mere speculation.
The benefits of strategic foresight are numerous. It allows for more informed decisions, fosters preparedness, and inspires confidence and direction within your team. Strategic foresight is the map that guides your team towards success.
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta