Kelly began working at the executive search and leadership and consulting firm in 1997 gaining experience in many countries. For business leaders, he says, it is important to understand how to maneuver through an organization and what motivates and drives people. He shares his views with NDTV on various topics related to senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services.
NDTV: The concept of executive search is still opening up in India. What are the opportunities that you see in India?
Kevin Kelly: It’s an exciting year for Heidrick & Struggles because it happens to be our 10-year anniversary. We have seen exponential growth over that period of time both in our New Delhi and Mumbai offices. I guess we have expansion plans in Bangalore this year as well. First and foremost the growth came from the multinational companies, which are looking to find executives to run their Indian operations. But in the last 12-18 months we are working for many Indian companies as they grow internationally as well.NDTV: When you say that you are working with Indian firms then are you looking for them management in India or worldwide?
Kevin Kelly: We are looking at a global level. You have seen large Indian organizations making acquisitions and as they expand they are looking for talent to run their European or Asian operations, so we help them find their group president and chief executive officers to drive those businesses internationally.
NDTV: India is a bit new to this concept and there are large number of promoter held companies. In that scenario what would be the challenges for you to establish yourself?
Kevin Kelly: We are fortunate enough to have such a fantastic global brand, which the multinational companies think of first and foremost. Given the ten years here and the excellent work that we have done in developing senior level executives, now we are seeing that payoff in ways that we didn’t imagine before. A lot of it I attribute to the brand and people that we have hired. One of the challenges we had was finding talented people who can execute work for our clients.
NDTV: There is a lot of middle and top management coming from abroad and want to establish themselves in India. Are you seeing more people moving back to India as an exciting working place?
Kevin Kelly: Given the growth not only in India but also in Asia pacific there is dearth of talent. One of the hurdles that we used to see was the gap between compensation package in India and America. This is no longer the case now. So we are getting very high quality individuals who are willing to return to India but simultaneously there are individuals looking at opportunities overseas.
NDTV: What would be the unique selling point for a global CEO to come to India? Is it just be the economy or more than that?
Kevin Kelly: It is also the challenge and for somebody who is one rung below the global CEO I believe those opportunities are learning in an emerging market, how to manage a cross culture and getting that global experience.
NDTV: What would be the way out for the talent crunch?
Kevin Kelly: Well, a lot of it has to do with demographics. You have a system today where many individuals look for a job every one to three years, so retention is critical in an organization today. Those firms who can retain and develop those employees have a much better chance of winning. I would also like to mention that those companies that provide an atmosphere where the employees continue to learn will have a better chance to retain them, because the employees won’t get bored in their roles.
NDTV: Are there specific geographies where do you see a talent crunch?
Kevin Kelly: Absolutely as we discussed it earlier. You are seeing the flow into Middle East, India, China and Moscow, so although the US economy is perceived to going into recession today, most organizations have upwards of two thirds of their businesses outside of north America. Thus, firms in the US need not find those individuals to help them grow their businesses.
NDTV: Do you see you revenue or profits coming down with the US economy going into recession?
Kevin Kelly: We haven’t seen it yet. We have a record year last year and again I attribute it to a lot of growth to a situation where there is lack of talent. There is lack of talent in India, north America and Europe and while we grew last year 34-35 per cent in north America, we grew 59-60 per cent in Asia pacific.
NDTV: After so much news about layoffs in the US after recession, do you see a job churn?
Kevin Kelly: Although we are seeing it here but in the US we need job churn. In Asia and Europe we are not only seeing job creation but also job churn because it is a very competitive landscape.
NDTV: So are you saying that job churn is going to be good for long term or create more efficient managers?
Kevin Kelly: Well I think you always have organizations looking to drive efficiency, whether it is a combination of investing in technology or people, I don’t think it is going to change. For healthy organizations I would like to add that you don’t want to see job churn because you’ll not be able to execute a strategy.
NDTV: Talking about your book that you have just recently written what are the key findings in the book?
Kevin Kelly: I have spoken to well-know CEOs in terms of dealing with changes in organization, compensation and communication.
NDTV: Is there a set formula when you aspire to be a global CEO?
Kevin Kelly: I have the fortune to speak at a Price WaterHouse Coopers conference held last November and I asked the audience how many of you would like to be a CEO, only about 4 out of the 450 people raised their hands. Today not only you see the challenge in terms of developing people to become CEOs and you have to decide whether they actually want to do their jobs.
NDTV: What are the good leadership qualities that make a good CEO?
Kevin Kelly: Well I think some of the dynamics have changed. There are many choices as today it is less dictatorial and more influential. You have to be a great communicator but you also have to clearly articulate a vision and get people rapt that believe that you can do it. I would like to add that you have to be global in nature.
NDTV: Are there business leaders in India and China different from leaders across the world.
Kevin Kelly: The leaders in India are much more similar to Europe and north America than Chinese. For business leaders it is important to understand how to maneuver through an organization and what motivates and drive people, you just can’t look at it from IQ stand point but you have to look at it from Emotional Quotient (EQ), which Chinese are lagging behind.
NDTV: You have led your company at various stages what is your leadership stand?
Kevin Kelly: It is critical for me to get the right team in place around me and trust and respect are critical values that I see in any organization particularly Heidrick & Struggles. I view my role as being a facilitator in creating strategies and vision and getting a group around me to executive and get that done.
NDTV: How do you motivate your team to execute your strategies?
Kevin Kelly: I don’t micro manage people but I empower them to get it done so they have the entrepreneurial spirit that they need and they find so gratifying being in this firm.