Prof. Raghav Chandra, Former Secretary to the Government of India & IIM Calcutta Professor
- He was driven by a passion to serve, influenced by family, and the values of sincerity, humility, and integrity.
Podcast
Overview
In this engaging episode, Ashutosh Garg sits down with Prof. Raghav Chandra, retired Secretary to the Government of India and current IIM Calcutta professor, to discuss his journey from civil services to academia, the impact of international education, and the value of art and literature in shaping society.
Here’s a quick breakdown—highlighting key question timestamps and main takeaways:
00:01:07- What motivated the IAS journey?
- He was driven by a passion to serve, influenced by family, and the values of sincerity, humility, and integrity.
00:02:52- A defining IAS career moment?
- He prevented violence after Indira Gandhi’s assassination by using creative solutions and teamwork.
- Learned leadership through collaboration and motivating others.
00:06:36- State vs National administration?
- State roles are urgent and face-to-face; results are visible, and feedback is immediate.
- Central roles focus on broader policy with less direct accountability.
00:08:56- How has technology changed governance?
- Shift from slow, manual communication to instant, digital responsiveness and transparency.
00:10:41- What did Harvard teach about governance?
- Analytical thinking, global perspectives, and best managerial practices merged into his approach.
00:12:33- Top skills for young civil servants?
- Empathy, constant learning, and adaptability to diverse challenges.
00:14:20- Why move to academia?
- He was driven by a desire to pass on rich experiences and institutional memory to future leaders.
00:16:26- Mentoring students vs managing teams?
- Academic environments favor open learning and engagement, with less complexity than administrative roles
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Prof Raghav Chandra: LinkedIn
Enjoyed this podcast?
Get the best out of everyone, regardless of their expertise.” Sometimes, true leadership is about inspiring ordinary people to achieve the extraordinary—especially in crisis. Share your thoughts in the comments and spread these insights with friends!
Would you love to give us 5 stars? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If yes, we’d greatly appreciate your review. Help us reach more people to keep them in the know as we talk to leaders, high achievers, and thought leaders from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Excellence can come from anywhere. Stay in the know, and hear from emergent high achievers and experts.
Stay updated with what’s shaping the world today through the latest The Brand Called You Podcast episode. Follow us on iTunes, Spotify, and Anchor.fm.
You can find us at:
Website: www.tbcy.in
Instagram: http://bit.ly/3HO7N06
Facebook:http://bit.ly/3YzJOaD
Twitter: http://bit.ly/3wMBOXK
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tbcy/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/3jmBqfq
Chingari: https://chingari.io/tbcypodcast
Josh: http://bit.ly/3WWP0nB
Thanks for listening!
Profile
- He was driven by a passion to serve, influenced by family, and the values of sincerity, humility, and integrity.
