“Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in the Age of Data” by Rishad Tobaccowala

Mary Olson-Menzel: What inspired you to write your book?

Rishad Tobaccowala: To share four decades of experience and learning to help people think, feel and see differently about how they can grow their companies, their teams and themselves by not forgetting that success is about marrying data/spreadsheet with people/story.

Mary Olson-Menzel: What is your definition of inspiration? Being capable? empathetic, vulnerable? in the workplace?

Rishad Tobaccowala: Inspiration is leaving people with energy, clarity in what needs to be done next and belief in themselves and the future. Vulnerability is to admit mistakes and ask for help. Empathy is to keep in mind that people have issues at home or at work or have different backgrounds and goals and you need to knit this into the fabric of the company.

Mary Olson-Menzel: What surprises did you discover while writing the book?

Rishad Tobaccowala: How almost nobody had addressed a balance point of view and spoke to humans. Almost everything I read had storing polarizing points of views and celebrated data, wealth and companies.

Mary Olson-Menzel: Which companies do you think really get the balance between people and tech right?

Rishad Tobaccowala: Adobe. Southwest. Disney.

Mary Olson-Menzel: What does it take to be a good leader?

Rishad Tobaccowala:

1. Understand and face reality.
2. Recognize that leadership is not a title but a role.
3. Keep learning. 

Mary Olson-Menzel: If you could give leadership advice to a young adult coming out of college what would it be? Someone in mid-career? An executive or CEO?

Rishad Tobaccowala: I wrote a piece called 10 Career Lessons which has been read by thousands. For young people I say find the least sucky job you can and remember you have a 50 year career. For the middle management is to build a brand, find mentors and focus on learning new things. For a CEO it is to remember that you have to unlearn, reach out to people who will disagree with you and give back.  https://rishadt.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/ten-career-learnings/

Mary Olson-Menzel: What advice do you wish someone had given you in your career?

Rishad Tobaccowala: Time dissolves more problems than man solves. Tough clients and bosses erode on their own corrosion. 

Mary Olson-Menzel: How have you had to pivot your work life to accommodate these uncertain times?

Rishad Tobaccowala:

In some ways I am fortunate in that my book was built for these times and I have always spoken without  slides, multi media or notes so I am very popular in a zoom and skype world. 

What I have had to do is to create new content  like my Great Reinvention Series ( https://rishadt.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/the-great-re-invention-address-fragility/ ) and work with my publisher to create a new way of delivering books in addition to book, kindle, audible format which we have.

Mary Olson-Menzel: How have you had to pivot your work life to accommodate these uncertain times?

Rishad Tobaccowala:

In some ways I am fortunate in that my book was built for these times and I have always spoken without  slides, multi media or notes so I am very popular in a zoom and skype world. 

What I have had to do is to create new content  like my Great Reinvention Series ( https://rishadt.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/the-great-re-invention-address-fragility/ ) and work with my publisher to create a new way of delivering books in addition to book, kindle, audible format which we have.

Mary Olson-Menzel: How have you had to pivot your work life to accommodate these uncertain times?

Rishad Tobaccowala:

In some ways I am fortunate in that my book was built for these times and I have always spoken without  slides, multi media or notes so I am very popular in a zoom and skype world. 

What I have had to do is to create new content  like my Great Reinvention Series ( https://rishadt.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/the-great-re-invention-address-fragility/ ) and work with my publisher to create a new way of delivering books in addition to book, kindle, audible format which we have.

Mary Olson-Menzel: What does your typical day look like at this point, our “new normal”?

Rishad Tobaccowala: I wake up at 4.30 and study till 6.30. I then run 5 miles up and down my buildings 8 floor parking garage ( no cars moving ). Then I do  at least one or two webinars in the day and spend time advising senior folks who value outside, distilled actionable perspective. Have lunch with my wife. Watch one movie a day (usually a classic on Criterion). From time to time do errands like Grocery.

Mary Olson-Menzel: Where are you going for positivity or inspiration right now?

Rishad Tobaccowala: Help people. Create new intellectual capital. Use the lack of travel to eat better. And as noted in previous answer spend time with great book and movies. 

Mary Olson-Menzel: When the dust settles and life goes back to a new type of normal, what recent changes would you like to maintain?

Rishad Tobaccowala: Will travel much less. Will eat out much less. Will probably drink much less.

Mary Olson-Menzel: How can we all take small steps every day to be inspired in our own lives during this global pandemic?

Rishad Tobaccowala:

Discipline is freedom

We cant control much but we can control ourselves

Spend an hour a day at least learning new things

Connect with friends

Have fun with movie or culture

Be grateful . If you are healthy and can pay your bills and are safe you are lucky.