Sawan Jasoliya

It was 2011-12, and I was serving as HOD-Mechanical. My Plant Head called me into his office. He said, “We need to run the Roller Press in Cement Mill #2. There’s no mechanical issue. But I want you to take the lead.” Now, this machine hadn’t run for a long time. The operational team had faced multiple challenges. But when the boss puts faith in you, what do you say? “OKAY SIR.” That’s it. Challenge accepted. --- We tackled the issues - one by one, patiently, persistently. Finally, the Roller Press started running smoothly with the Cement Mill. I was happy. Relieved. I thought we did it. The boss smiled. He said, “Good. But we need 65% product in -2mm size. That’s what the system was designed for.” Again, I nodded. "Okay, Sir." What else could I say? We adjusted. Tweaked parameters. Solved more bottlenecks. Soon enough, we hit 65% -2mm product. I thought, “Yes, now he’ll be satisfied.” He said, “Great. Now let’s push for 80%.” No options. No debate. Just a raised bar. We work...

Leadership is not one-size-fits-all—it evolves with culture, values, and historical influences. Across the globe, leaders shape their impact through unique approaches, from the bold innovation of the United States to the deep-rooted resilience of Nigeria and the collaborative spirit of Canada. Whether it's Japan’s harmony-driven decision-making, Germany’s precision and structure, or India’s adaptability in dynamic environments, each leadership style offers valuable lessons. By understanding these diverse approaches, you can refine your own leadership strategy, drawing inspiration from the world's best. Here’s how leaders around the world create lasting impact. United States:  Drive and Innovation Focus on results and encourage bold ideas. Empower teams to take risks and think big. Japan:  Consensus and Harmony Foster collaboration through collective decision-making. Value respect and balance team goals with individual input. France:  Vision and Reflection Combine strategi...

Working as an expatriate in developing or underdeveloped countries comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Based on my experience and observations, I want to share some thoughts—and I’d love to hear your perspective too. Let’s make this a conversation! 1. Is Self-Entitlement Holding Us Back? Have you noticed how some expats come with an attitude of superiority? It’s like, “I’m here because the locals can’t do this job.” Sure, that might be why you were hired, but does that mean we shouldn’t engage or learn from the locals? Many expats avoid integrating with the team. They rely on their 'drivers' for everything or insist on “their” car, even if it means waiting around while a simple carpool could save time. [Sorry but I can't say directly hence using this analogy. Interestingly, it's also true literally.] This mindset creates barriers, not bridges. Trust me, when you show respect and work collaboratively, the locals notice—and they reciprocate. Have you e...

The Cement Plant Paradox: Why Do Good Efforts Often Fail? Over the past 15 years, I have worked in four cement plants. One thing has been common across all of them—bad management practices and wrong people were the root cause of their decline. Despite these challenges, I had the opportunity to turn around all these plants. Yet, the fate of these plants reveals an unsettling pattern. Let me share my experiences and reflect on why this happens and what management must do to sustain success. Plant #1: A Story of Decline and Ruins I joined a plant that was already struggling but showed potential for recovery. After significant improvements, things began to stabilize. Unfortunately, management soon started adopting wrong practices—short-term gains took precedence over long-term health. I warned them and ultimately decided to quit. Within three months of my departure, the plant shut down. Today, only ruins remain—a painful reminder of what happens when wrong decisions prevail. Lesson: ...