Introduction

In a recent interview, the remarkable leadership and career journey of Mahalakshmi R, (Deputy Head, Yokogawa India Service) came to light. With over 28 years of experience at the company, Mahalakshmi has made a significant impact in training and customer service. Her dedication to fostering a culture of success and innovation has led to the successful implementation of groundbreaking projects. Let's delve into Mahalakshmi's inspiring story and explore the key elements that have contributed to her leadership and career success at Yokogawa.

A Leader Who Makes a Difference

Mahalakshmi's leadership style is characterized by her belief that it is not the job that makes a difference, but rather the individuals who make a difference to the job. She has instilled this mindset in her team, emphasizing the importance of every role within the organization. Mahalakshmi's ability to develop leaders, has been a significant achievement. By creating a diverse and dynamic team, she has brought different perspectives and dimensions to the table, resulting in a cohesive and successful unit. Her team's readiness to embrace innovative ideas and their unwavering commitment to excellence have been key factors in their accomplishments.

As part of her human centric approach, she brought a lot of focus and thought on how to help women thrive in industries such as the one Yokogawa operates in. When she first joined, there were hardly any women in leadership positions but slowly and steadily her company and her team now have various women leaders and employees who thrive in their career. A few members of her team are also recipients of Women Achiever Award from Yokogawa management. She also encourages her male colleagues to have a better work-life balance and always supports the organization in actively getting involved personally as well as in motivating the team to participate in cultural events which would bring the office together just like a family would. These events are well organized because there is a committee for it, which is made up of younger team members who come with ideas and execute them and spread the joy at the office.

Mahalakshmi would make it a priority to showcase that spirit inside the company to customers by displaying the exhibits of cultural events in Yokogawa Training Center. This will give an idea to the customers who visit Yokogawa on the human side of Yokogawa and they get a feel of what kind of company, they are investing their time, energy and financial resources in. 

During the interview she mentioned that for Yokogawa, the product quality and its people who make the difference. Once you build networks that support people to live their best life, you help the business grow as well.

A Career Marked by Longevity and Dedication

Mahalakshmi's long tenure at Yokogawa is a testament to her dedication and passion for her work. While it may be uncommon for individuals to stay with the same company for an extended period, Mahalakshmi's commitment to Yokogawa has been unwavering. Her ability to adapt to different roles, from training to bench repair department and to services sales, showcases her versatility and willingness to take on new challenges. Mahalakshmi's impact extends beyond her specific job responsibilities, as she has played a crucial role in proving to customers that Yokogawa is dedicated to finding innovative solutions to meet their needs.

As well as wearing many different hats along the years, in different portfolios, her secret has always been multitasking and being a lifelong learner. During the interview she mentioned how she believes that multitasking is a skill that any professional should get good at, to grow and develop. Another piece of advice she has is the need to keep on learning no matter how many years of experience one has. The skills one acquires in professional life can be taken to one’s personal life as well and vice versa. For example, decision making skills especially not being afraid to take decisions and handling pressure situations are some areas where one can blend the lessons from every day professional life into personal life. It is important to balance both lives which will ensure a very rewarding career.

But among all these moments, the most treasured ones for her are when customers come back and praise the quality and experience of the service rendered. Positive feedback from the customers is the biggest reward for the hard work put in by the team. It is heartening when the customers remember the service and take efforts to appreciate the same during interactions even after many years.

Recognitions and Achievements

Mahalakshmi's exceptional leadership and contributions have not gone unnoticed. Her innovative projects, such as the development of net-based training modules and the implementation of virtual training during the COVID-19 pandemic, have received recognition and an Excellence Award from Yokogawa's management. These projects have not only enhanced the training experience for customers but have also boosted their confidence in Yokogawa's ability to provide innovative solutions.

She was instrumental in launching a unique training program “SPiCE” way back in the year 2000 for college students / fresh engineering graduates in the field of Process Automation to make them industry ready and made this program a great success among the student community. She along with her training team has delivered more than 16500 man-weeks of Industrial Automation training to student community and has enabled more than 9500 engineering students ready to face industry challenges.

Under her leadership, the training center has delivered more than 55000 man-weeks of Industrial Automation training programs to the industry sector and education sector across the Globe.

Mahalakshmi attributes her success to her team's positive attitude, their willingness to try new ideas, and their commitment to delivering exceptional results.

She strongly believes that the younger generation are the torchbearers of technology, tradition, and culture in the future. It is everybody’s responsibility to nurture and develop young talents. As a part of that initiative, she had been an active member of Instrumentation Automation Surveillance & Communication (IASC) Sector Skill Council, National Skill Development Corporation as a part of Skill India Movement.

She had also been an industry expert in “Board of Studies Committee” - in many engineering colleges in India and has significantly contributed to aligning the engineering curriculum with the latest trends in industries, thereby enabling students to bridge the gap and be ready for work in industries.

Dedication to the long-term vision

The stories Mahalakshmi shared showed her dedication to the long-term growth of Yokogawa. And she took a very hands-on approach to this! During her time developing the training center and offering the training to engineers and students alike, many of them remembered her across the years for her passion, dedication, domain knowledge, energy, her encouraging words and enthusiasm in the classroom. That is why even now when she visits customer sites, she would encounter many past students who would remember her training and her hospitality. It is worthwhile to note that many of them are current decision makers in their organizations.

Conclusion

Mahalakshmi's journey at Yokogawa is a testament to her exemplary leadership and career success. Her ability to develop leaders, foster a culture of success, and embrace innovation has made a significant impact on the company and its customers. Mahalakshmi's dedication and longevity at Yokogawa exemplify her commitment to making a positive difference in the industry. As she continues to lead and inspire her team, Mahalakshmi's contributions will undoubtedly have shaped and continue to shape the future of Yokogawa and leave a legacy.

Author: Luminita Mesaros

Experienced marketer with an MBA, focusing on promoting cybersecurity,digital transformation and OpreX Managed Service. Specialized in tech-driven strategies, adept at data analysis, and a thought leader. Passionate about bridging innovation and marketing for impactful results.