Dr. Vineet Basotia is a senior global director and head of healthcare systems research and analytics at Philips and is based out in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He spent his childhood in Assam and used to be lovingly referred to by Swami as “Assam Boy”. He joined the B.Com program of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in 1994. He considers the years spent in hostel as the foundation years wherein the ecosystem taught him a life beyond the materialistic realm with an emphasis on teamwork and empathy. He was a part of the Brindavan Stores where he acquired practical wisdom in leadership like rolling up one’s sleeves to do any work, giving attention to details and considering work as worship. After his completion of the B.Com program, Dr. Vineet went on to pursue MFM & Ph.D from Bhagawan’s college.
Lessons from Swami in situational leadership
It was during this time that Dr. Vineet had many wonderful opportunities of accompanying Swami to Kodaikanal. It was on one such trip, that Dr. Vineet had a glimpse of what a true leader Swami was – a leader with a purpose. Swami had the eye for perfection wherein He would ensure minute details like checking the collar and the size of shirts before distributing them. Nothing looked big or small to His Divine eyes. This is the essence of what is popularly known as the “situational leadership” in the current scenario. Swami guided Dr. Vineet to pursue PhD after the completion of MFM. Swami took personal care in selecting the right topic and guide for him. He strongly feels that whatever roles taken up in his career would not be possible if not for the PhD. The omniscient Lord was well-aware of the financial struggles of Dr. Vineet during this time and regularly enquired about his well being and even went to the extent of providing monetary assistance. While pursuing his PhD, Dr. Vineet had got a number of opportunities to interact with corporate leaders. He was also asked to look after the hospitality of some high-profile leaders who visited Swami. The main lesson learnt from these interactions is to do Swami’s work with humility and in silence, without seeking any front-page attention. The lessons that a Sai student learns from his/her stint with the university is innumerable and Dr. Vineet likens it to “putting hands in a box of gems and taking as much as possible”.
The Turning Point
After completion of his PhD, Dr. Vineet was contemplating on joining the institute as a full-fledged lecturer and was waiting for direction from Swami. In one personal interaction, Swami had asked him to take up employment in the corporate world. It was a very powerful interaction wherein Swami’s full focus was on Dr. Vineet where he was blessed with copious Vibhuti.
Dr. Vineet then joined Genpact in the role of assistant manager and got promoted up in the ladder to the rungs of leadership very fast. After 3.5 years in Genpact, he moved on to Fidelity Investments and held many mid and senior leadership roles. After his stint with Fidelity Investments, in 2014, he assumed a global role with GE healthcare. In all of these roles he had the opportunity to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds and regions. The key to success in all of these interactions, is the way of articulating things and sharing a common vision. He also feels that a good balance of EQ and IQ is important for a leader to shine.
Challenges faced during professional career
All through his career, Dr. Vineet has faced challenges in matters of choices and in situations to take tough decisions like downsizing, which have an impact on emotions. In all of these tough situations, he feels that fundamental discrimination is more important than individual discrimination and that he was able to execute these decisions without affecting any individual’s career. What is of utmost importance according to him is clarity of vision and purpose along with an attention to details. A good leader should be able to give attention to details at all levels of interactions – personal, local and global. Whenever new challenges and opportunities come, Dr. Vineet’s anchors have been Swami and Parthi.
Catalyst Seva
The Catalyst seva was the brainchild of Dr. Vineet and a few senior alumni, who felt the need to offer a helping hand to graduating students at a very crucial juncture of their lives. The main motive of this unique Seva is that no student should feel “left-out” or have to fend for himself/ herself while starting his/her professional career. The best part of this Seva is that every alumnus becomes a “Catalyst” in shaping up his/her juniors to be corporate-ready. The Catalyst has evolved into a self-sustaining ecosystem over the years which works like a well-oiled system. All of this is possible only because there is a clarity of vision and purpose behind such a Seva activity. Though students get jobs, at the end of the day the most important outcome is that they feel cared for. Dr. Vineet attributes Swami to be the founding member of Catalyst as it was He who had sowed the initial thought of such a unique Seva in the minds of Dr. Vineet and senior alumni. Apart from being involved in Catalyst Seva, Dr.Vineet takes classes for B.Com students in Brindavan. He is also actively associated with the Department of Management and Commerce of the Institute in shaping up course structure.
A Word of Advice for the Young Alumni
According to him, the biggest thing that matters in life is one’s mindset and attitude which springs out of the belief system. Though there will be ups and downs in one’s life, there is a unique cushion called the “Sai Cushion” which will soften our fall and make it less hurtful. More importantly when we take up new things and challenges, we must leave everything at His hands and let Him shape up the outcomes. We must acknowledge that all the highs in our lives are planned by Him. Above all we must surrender to Him and become comfortable with His plans.
Team Vidyullekha wishes all the very best to Dr. Vineet for all his future endeavours.
