From the War Room to the Board Room!
In a world where moments can define a lifetime, one man lay on the cold, wet ground beside his tank, the scars of a recent mission still fresh in his mind. The incident during that operation had left him distressed, staring up at the dark sky as the weight of despair pressed down like never before. This was a turning point, a devastating moment that demanded a reckoning with the purpose he’d fought so hard for. It was here, in the midst of this dark abyss, that the idea of legacy began to crystallize, giving shape to something beyond the battlefield, something meant to endure.
The choice was clear: to rise from the depths or to remain in the shadows of setback. He understood that true strength lies in harnessing one’s experiences and using them as a springboard for growth. This realization spurred him to leverage his military training and leadership insights, transforming hardship into a new purpose.
As he charted this new course in the corporate world, he became Col Ajai Lal, a leader who embodied the mantra of “People First, Mission Always.” Driven by the belief that leaders should dream beyond the practical, expect more than what seems possible, and care deeply for those they lead, he embraced his mission to inspire others.
Col. Ajai, host of the ‘Leadershift’ radio show broadcast across 150 countries on the International Business Growth Radio Network, is now on a transformative journey with his book, Fear Demystified. This guide empowers readers to break through fear and unlock their fullest potential. More than just a personal success story, his legacy is about lifting others, promoting empathetic leadership, and nurturing a culture where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Through his journey, he reminds us of all of our power to create lasting, impactful legacies.
Let us learn more about his journey:
A Legacy Forged in the Fire of Duty
As a second-generation army officer, his passion for the uniform was evident from a young age. At just 15, he joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakvasla, where he underwent three years of intense training, followed by one year at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun.
This rigorous journey baptized him in the mottos of both institutions: “Service Before Self” from the NDA and “Valour and Wisdom” from the IMA. Through this crucible of training, he emerged as a physically, morally, mentally, and emotionally robust leader, embodying the core principles that would later become fundamental to his corporate career and beyond. He was shaped by the finest educators, determined to carry on and live the legacy of these prestigious institutions.
He fondly recalls the last words etched on the walls of Chetwode Hall as he stepped out on his commissioning parade as a 2/Lt at the IMA in June 1974. The Chetwode Motto, a powerful creed of the Indian Army, became a guiding principle throughout his life:
- The safety, honor, and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time.
- The honor, welfare, and comfort of the men you command comes next.
- Your own ease, comfort, and safety come last, always and every time.
With 25 years of dedicated service in the Army and two United Nations military missions in Cambodia, he gained rich experiences in battle, low-intensity warfare, and peacekeeping. These experiences not only tested his leadership in volatile situations but also taught him invaluable lessons in navigating setbacks and ambiguity, serving as true acid tests of his inspirational leadership.
Acknowledging Change and Creating a Legacy
The most significant and pivotal challenge in his life and career unfolded while he was commanding his tank regiment after 25 years in the military. December 11, 1997, is a date forever etched in his memory, a day that altered the course of his life.
During a river-crossing operation near the border, he experienced a devastating accident that resulted in a serious injury to his right leg, leaving his knee bone crushed to nearly powder. Despite the excruciating pain, he refused evacuation until his regiment completed its mission.
As he lay on that riverbed, he felt as though 25 years of unwavering service were washing away in the current. The cold, wet ground pressed against his back, marking a dark and devastating moment in his life. He had been on a promising trajectory within the military, poised for higher ranks.
However, that tragic incident forced him to make one of the toughest decisions he would ever face: to say farewell to his life as a soldier. The premature retirement felt like a stripping away of his identity, leaving him uncertain of his next steps and devoid of any qualifications beyond his military service.
Confronted by a wave of fear, he grappled with thoughts of his circumstances: lacking business qualifications, being unemployed, having insufficient funds, and supporting a wife and two sons still seeking their own paths. In the midst of these overwhelming realities, he felt a profound wave of inferiority and insecurity wash over him. Determined not to let these disempowering thoughts take control, he made a conscious decision to confront them head-on.
A key principle guided him through this transition: “Your mind is a battlefield—be its commander, not its soldier.” He understood that every battle is first fought within the mind. By winning that internal struggle, he could triumph in external challenges. Realizing that being a soldier of the mind meant surrendering to fears and past conditioning, he chose instead to become the commander, harnessing the power of his mind to express his truest self.
With newfound determination, he managed to rein in his negative thoughts, countering each disempowering notion with an empowering one. He resolved to focus on the positive aspects of his situation, concentrating on what he had rather than what he lacked.
Drawing from his military training, leadership insights, and principles of warfare, he set out to create a new career and future for himself and his family. While he focused on his internal journey, he was deeply grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement from his wife, his two sons, family, and friends during this transition.
He recognized the need to recalibrate his attitude, unlearning certain aspects of his previous life and absorbing business concepts and strategies from mentors, seniors, and even his subordinates. This shift allowed him to exercise his power of choice, steering clear of the fear trap and leveraging his faith to achieve his business goals.
By applying these principles, he successfully transitioned from the “War Room” to the “Board Room.” He joined NIIT Ltd, a global talent development corporation, where he dedicated the next 15 years of his life. He led domestic businesses and later served as the Chief Business Officer, overseeing international operations across nearly 40 countries, exemplifying his ability to turn setbacks into setups for future success.
Building a Legacy through Passion and Care
With over 4 decades of experience in leadership across both military and corporate spheres, he emphasizes what he refers to as the “Four Cornerstones of Inspirational Leadership” in the growth journeys of those he coaches. These cornerstones represent the essential elements upon which success is built. He identifies them as Passion, People, Performance, and Legacy.
- Passion: This cornerstone involves instilling timeless principles in the hearts and minds of individuals and leaders, fostering a deep-seated enthusiasm and desire for their pursuits. It encompasses a willingness to endure challenges for the sake of their goals, activities, or causes.
- People: The key term associated with people is “Caring.” In the military context, this translates to maintaining morale. A leader’s responsibility is to nurture a high morale that fosters grit, an offensive spirit, and a determination to succeed. People may not care about a leader’s knowledge until they feel cared for themselves. This means treating others with empathy, compassion, and kindness, creating an environment of safety, belonging, and value. Leaders must first connect with people emotionally before seeking their engagement.
- Performance: The guiding word for performance is “Daring.” This concept involves achieving missions and goals while inspiring individuals to embrace challenges and risks. When people feel valued and cared for, they are more willing to step out of their comfort zones, tackle stretch goals, and approach tasks with a sense of relaxed efficiency, free from the fear of failure.
- Legacy: He believes that “there is no success without a successor.” While it is important to look ahead, leaders must also reflect on their legacy. Questions like “What will my legacy be?” and “What will people remember about my leadership?” are vital. Legacy resides in people rather than material possessions, and it is essential for leaders to be intentional about the legacy they wish to leave behind. He encourages others to think about how they want their lives to be summarized in a single sentence and to actively live that legacy.
The interplay of these four cornerstones—Passion, People, Performance, and Legacy—creates an energetic and inspirational environment that unleashes the potential within individuals, ultimately leading to the achievement of missions, visions, and goals.
He strongly believes in the adage: “Leaders dream more than what others think is practical, expect more than what others think is possible, and care for people more than what others think is wise.”
After serving 15 years in the corporate world, he posed several powerful, thought-provoking questions to himself:
- What do you want to be remembered for?
- If your life turned out perfectly, what would it entail?
- How much is enough?
Reflecting on his professional journey, he realized that the most fulfilling aspect has been facilitating the transition of rising leaders from success to significance. As he answered these introspective questions, he felt compelled to pursue his calling in the third phase of his career as a Leadership & Executive Coach and Mentor.
This role allows him to share his passion, insights, and experiences from the past four decades, equipping and empowering leaders to optimize their potential and fulfill their own purposes in life.
Inspiring Leadership Through Passion, People, Performance, and Legacy
Col. Ajai embodies a deep passion for inspiring, connecting with, and infusing hope in people—qualities rooted in his core values. He seeks to add value and make a positive difference by coaching, teaching, and mentoring everyone he encounters.
His mission is to help others optimize their leadership potential and realize their fullest expression as human beings and leaders. Through this work, Col. Ajai aims to lead a life of meaning and contribution, fulfilling his calling and purpose.
Having served in the military, Col. Ajai recognizes that military leadership principles are highly relevant to both individual and corporate environments. He believes that, at their core, these principles emphasize the importance of people, revealing more similarities than differences between the two realms.
However, one key distinction exists: combat leaders inspire troops without material incentives or performance bonuses. They lead through sheer, unadulterated inspiration, developing the indomitable spirit of a soldier. This spirit motivates individuals to make the ultimate sacrifice for a mission.
Col. Ajai anchors this spirit in three timeless tenets he calls MVP: Mission, Values, and Pride:
- Mission: Why we exist.
- Values: What is important to us.
- Pride: What inspires us.
He firmly believes that these tenets translate powerfully into both individual and corporate settings. As a leadership and executive coach, Col. Ajai aims to infuse this same indomitable spirit into corporate and entrepreneurial leaders. He emphasizes that:
- If one’s Mission is inspiring and clear,
- If one’s Values are fully integrated into their being,
- If one’s Pride is ingrained in all they do,
then their spirit will be invincible—no challenge can deter them.
At the start of a coaching engagement, Col. Ajai focuses on building rapport and establishing trust with individuals. He acknowledges their past experiences and their commitment to personal growth, which demonstrates their readiness to be conscious learners.
In his coaching process, Col. Ajai engages in powerful conversations to clarify what leaders wish to achieve, guiding them in a supportive yet challenging manner toward fulfilling their goals and dreams.
Coaching Approach
Col’s coaching approach typically involves:
- Inside-Out Journey: Utilizing reflection tools to help individuals explore their journeys, beliefs, assumptions, and blind spots. This holistic development focuses on expanding their inner resources, recognizing that external circumstances reflect internal realities.
- Mind: Learning for career, business, and personal growth.
- Body: Living a balanced life in health and finances.
- Heart: Loving through personal and professional relationships.
- Spirit: Leaving a legacy by leading a life of meaning and contribution.
- Outside-In Journey: Seeking feedback and perceptions from stakeholders, as they offer valuable insights. Col. Ajai believes that perception acts as a co-pilot to reality.
This dual approach leads to crystallizing leadership growth objectives, typically around the Leadership Triad of
- Being, Connecting, and Doing:
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- Being: Leading self—developing the individual’s inner resources.
- Connecting: Leading others—fostering interpersonal relationships.
- Doing: Leading businesses—achieving objectives through action.
Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Service
Col. Ajai’s journey is marked by remarkable achievements that reflect his dedication to leadership and service. During his distinguished Army tenure, Col. Ajai was honored with the Special Service Medal and the Videsh Seva Medal, highlighting his dedication and exemplary service. He has also been honored with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal, a testament to his commitment to promoting peace and stability on a global scale. Throughout his corporate career, he received many Awards of Excellence, including the prestigious Global Leadership Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions in the field.
His impact as a Transformational Leadership Coach and Mentor was further acknowledged when he was awarded the Gold Award at the Future Skills Awards ceremony, organized by Economic Times HR and LinkedIn Learning. This accolade highlights his ability to inspire and guide others toward personal and professional growth.
Most recently, Col. Ajai was celebrated as a Global Laureate at the Middle East Asia Awards in Dubai on October 5, 2024, where he received the Leadership Coach and Mentor Award. This recognition underscores his influence in shaping future leaders and his unwavering passion for empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Each accolade reflects not only his personal achievements but also his enduring impact on those he mentors and leads.
During his distinguished Army tenure, Col. Ajai was also honored with the Special Service Medal and the Videsh Seva Medal, further highlighting his dedication and exemplary service.