Hello, Business Leaders of Tomorrow! Welcome to another insightful edition of our blog. I’m Amit Chawla, Business Clarity Coach, here to share a story that merges ambition with impact, and self-awareness with community-focused vision.
The Question that Sparked a Vision
In a cosy meeting room in a Gurgaon co-working space, I found myself in a deep conversation with a young mentee. As we sat there, surrounded by the echoes of countless past discussions, he asked a question that would change the course of our conversation—and perhaps, his future.
“What am I doing today?” he inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity. At first, I assumed it was a typical productivity-driven question, but his next words caught me off guard.
“Whatever I do today, how is it linked to what I want to become?”
It was a moment that demanded reflection. The conversation naturally evolved into a deeper inquiry: “What do I want to become?” This question was not just about personal ambition but was intricately woven into the fabric of his company’s vision.
The Emergence of a Grand Vision
As we delved deeper, his vision became clear: “Unlock Human Potential.” The magnitude of this goal was breathtaking. When I asked him what “human” meant in this context, he looked me in the eye and said, “All 7 billion people on Earth.”
The vastness of his vision left me speechless. His dream was not just about individual success but about elevating the entire human race, even if it took a hundred years to achieve. He was undeterred by the enormity of the task. “Why not start with me?” he said.
This young visionary was none other than Shobhit Banga, a 23-year-old entrepreneur with an expansive dream. Along with Supriya Paul, he co-founded Josh Talks, a media platform that hosts content in ten languages and has been recognized by the President of India and featured in Forbes magazine’s ‘Asia 30 Under 30’.
The Josh Talks Journey
Founded in 2015, Josh Talks started with conferences in Delhi and Bengaluru, bringing together a diverse range of speakers. I met Shobhit and Supriya in 2016 through Dr. Ritesh Malik, the entrepreneur behind Innov8 coworking space. The first major offline event, ‘LEAP’, held in October 2016, attracted 5,000 attendees and featured 24 speakers. The energy was palpable, and it was clear that this was the beginning of something significant.
However, Shobhit and Supriya had a different vision. They knew that to truly unlock human potential, they needed to scale beyond physical events. Their focus shifted to the digital realm, aiming to reach tier 2 and tier 3 cities where aspirations were often stifled by circumstances.
Realizing the Vision: From ‘Me’ to ‘We’
In early 2019, Shobhit and I visited a slum in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, where we met children with modest dreams, shaped by their environment. One girl aspired to learn English, believing it would improve her career prospects. A 14-year-old boy dreamt of earning 25,000 Rupees a month, a goal limited by his father’s earnings as a rag picker.
Could these children aspire for more? Shobhit believed they could. But the question remained: How could Josh Talks help unlock these dreams without setting them up for disappointment?
In response to this challenge, Josh Talks launched “Josh Skills,” an Android app designed to help individuals from tier 2 and tier 3 cities learn English and boost their employability. This was a significant step towards realizing their vision of “We”—a vision that extended beyond personal success to uplifting entire communities.
The Power of Clarity and Community
In September 2019, I invited Shobhit to the launch of my book, “The Clarity First.” During the event, he shared his insights on clarity of vision. His words resonated deeply: “If you want to build a company that outlasts your own lifetime, you need to answer a few fundamental questions: What do you feel strongly about? What keeps you awake at night? What would deeply upset you if it didn’t come to pass? And importantly, what are you doing about it?”
These questions are at the heart of building something that transcends the individual “Me” and contributes to a larger “We.”
A Testimony to Transformative Leadership
Josh Talks is a testament to the power of a shared vision, where “Me” and “We” coexist harmoniously. It reminds us that true leadership is about more than just personal success—it’s about creating a lasting impact on the world.
Take TOMS Shoes as an example. Founded by Blake Mycoskie, TOMS operates on a “One for One” model, where every pair of shoes purchased results in a pair being donated to a child in need. This approach embodies the philosophy of “We,” and has led to the donation of over 35 million pairs of shoes to children in 70 countries.
Building a Legacy of Impact
As business leaders, it’s crucial to encourage our teams to participate in meaningful causes. Organizations that engage authentically with their communities build stronger relationships and create ecosystems of future leaders. When we shift from “Me” to “We,” we not only achieve business success but also leave a lasting legacy.
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to guide our teams towards making a positive impact on the world.
Conclusion
Courage alone can’t take you the distance if you don’t have the clarity of mission. As we reflect on the journey of Josh Talks and its founders, let’s take inspiration from their commitment to unlocking human potential and building a legacy that transcends the individual. Join me in the next blog, where we’ll explore another remarkable story of clarity and courage. Stay tuned.
Amit Chawla (Business Clarity Coach)
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST (CLICK HERE)
