“Transformation isn’t just about changing what we do—it’s about changing how we think.” This powerful reflection by Capt. Shantanu Chakravorty, Chief Learning Officer at Suzlon, sets the tone for how organisations must approach learning in today’s fast-paced world.
In a recent interview, ahead of his appearance at the People Matters L&D Conference 2024, Capt. Chakravorty shared his forward-thinking views on reshaping Learning and Development (L&D) strategies. With the conference theme “Undo. Redo. Outdo: Drive Transformation Through Action,” his insights provide a valuable precursor to the larger conversation on how businesses can stay ahead in an era of rapid change and innovation.
The Power of Unlearning: Letting Go to Move Forward
In his interview, Capt. Chakravorty challenged the notion that learning alone drives growth. Instead, he emphasised the critical role of unlearning—shedding outdated practices and mindsets that no longer serve an organisation’s goals.
“Too often, we hold onto what we’ve always done, even when the world around us has changed,” he remarked. In industries like renewable energy, where Suzlon is a key player, this mindset can be particularly limiting. Staying competitive, he explained, requires not only acquiring new knowledge but also letting go of rigid frameworks and beliefs that prevent progress.
This focus on unlearning set the stage for one of the core messages Capt. Chakravorty will deliver at the conference: transformation starts with the ability to challenge and rethink entrenched practices.
Building a Future-Ready Workforce
Capt. Chakravorty’s vision for L&D at Suzlon is rooted in the idea of preparing employees for the future, not just for their current roles. In the interview, he highlighted the importance of developing cross-functional skills and leadership capabilities that go beyond technical expertise.
“Our approach is to build a workforce that’s not only skilled for today but equipped for the roles of tomorrow,” he said. At Suzlon, this forward-looking mindset has been embedded in every aspect of their L&D programs. Through personalised learning paths, leveraging AI-driven platforms, and emphasising leadership agility, the company ensures its employees are prepared for an industry that evolves almost daily.
This philosophy of future-proofing the workforce will be a key theme in Capt. Chakravorty’s session at the conference, where he will explore how organisations can adopt similar approaches to stay competitive in rapidly changing environments.
Linking Learning to Business Impact
“For Suzlon, L&D is not an isolated function; it’s a strategic enabler of business outcomes” Capt. Chakravorty believes that every learning initiative should have a clear line of sight to organisational performance.
“Learning is only valuable if it translates into action,” he shared. This results-driven approach ensures that the skills employees gain are directly applied to business challenges, leading to measurable outcomes. Suzlon’s success in scaling innovation and staying ahead of industry trends is a testament to this philosophy.
During his upcoming session, Capt. Chakravorty will delve deeper into how organisations can make learning more action-oriented, linking development programs to key business metrics and long-term growth.
Leadership as a Catalyst for Learning Transformation
Capt. Chakravorty also touched on the role of leaders in fostering a culture of continuous learning. “Leaders set the tone for the entire organisation,” he said. At Suzlon, leadership development is a central part of their L&D strategy, ensuring that managers not only support learning but actively model it themselves.
This commitment to leadership development will be a focal point of his conference session, where he will share how Suzlon has built a leadership pipeline that is agile, innovative, and ready to drive transformation across the organisation.
Key Lessons for L&D Leaders
As L&D leaders prepare for the People Matters L&D Conference 2024, Capt. Chakravorty’s insights offer several actionable takeaways for driving transformation:
Encourage Unlearning: To foster innovation, organisations must create a culture where outdated practices are challenged and new perspectives embraced.
Prepare for the Future: L&D strategies should focus on building cross-functional skills and leadership capabilities to equip employees for emerging roles.
Tie Learning to Outcomes: Ensure that every learning initiative has a measurable impact on business performance, driving real-world results.
Develop Agile Leaders: Leaders should not only support learning initiatives but embody the spirit of continuous learning and growth.
Looking Ahead: The Role of L&D in Transformation
As businesses grapple with unprecedented change, Capt. Chakravorty’s approach to L&D offers a roadmap for how organisations can lead transformation through learning. His session at the People Matters L&D Conference 2024 will serve as a deeper exploration into how companies can build learning ecosystems that are agile, action-oriented, and future-focused.
With the renewable energy sector as his backdrop, Chakravorty’s experience demonstrates that learning isn’t just about keeping pace with change—it’s about driving it. Organisations that embrace this mindset will be the ones to thrive in the years ahead.
If you’re eager to create meaningful change through learning and development, this is your chance to connect with a leading expert like Capt. Shantanu Chakravorty. Register now and be part of the future of L&D!