Alum Ventures: ISEC – Krishna Kumar, PGP 1982

Every successful person has a story of reaching the heights which comprises of failures and eventual success by having a clear vision, persistence, and determination. And not just the very successful folk, many of us need advice or a sense of direction from time to time, especially when it comes to our profession. The Intrad School of Executive Coaching (ISEC) founded by Mr. Krishna Kumar is exactly the solution one needs. ISEC taps into an individuals capability to reach their max potential.

We spoke to Mr. Kumar about his journey from a corporate to an entrepreneur, what exactly is Executive Coaching and how it might help, while debunking some myths around the subject.

Can you tell us something about yourself?

After completing my education, I started my career at Madura Coats – the Indian arm of British textile multinational Coats Viyella, a textile transnational corporation. At a young change of 34, I was made the Commercial Director (Middle East) and held many ex-pat postings.

After a successful and long stint in the corporate sector, I decided to venture out on my own and set up businesses that initially included textile and strategy consulting, direct-to-home marketing and CRM technology service.

Alongside this, I have spent much of my life as a competitive tennis player, which was my passion. When I did not want to compete anymore I certified as a tennis coach. After 10 years, in mid-2007-2008, I was running a number of academies alongside working as a consultant for the corporate world. It was strange that during one part of the day I was a consultant and another part of the day, I was a sports coach and I never thought that the two could ever meet.

“Fortunately, in 2004, I found out a methodology by which I could use my knowledge of high-performance sports coaching and transfer the learning to business leaders to succeed in the business world. I became an executive coach and started helping managers and executives improve their corporate performance, which is when I started ISEC.

What got you interested in Executive Coaching?

Sensing a serious dearth of quality leadership in the industry, I expanded the business offerings to cover the fields of leadership development, with an emphasis on executive coaching, and thus established The Intrad School of Executive Coaching (ISEC).

ISEC is among the pioneering organizations, which started certifying people as coaches. As part of the program, we became a licensed school of the International Association of Coaching (IAC), widely recognized as the premier coach credentialing body.

Who has been your inspiration?

I am deeply influenced by the works of legendary coaches, Timothy Gallwey and John Whitmore, leadership advisor, John O’Neil, Indian philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurti, and positive psychologist, Mike Csikszentmihalyi. I began my career as an executive coach with a desire to support others in their journey towards performing to the fullest of their potential.

What are the services offered at ISEC?

Today, Intrad School of Executive Coaching is a renowned name in Leadership Development and Organizational Transformation. We offer Executive Coaching, Coach Certification programs and Corporate Training that helps companies meet the demands of the modern world. With a highly qualified pool of coaches, we offer end-to-end leadership development consultancy services comprising assessment centers, strategy facilities, workshops, training and more. We work with companies to groom their leaders and high potential people. Our objective is to take people on a higher level of leadership in companies.

ISEC tackles people’s problems through blended learning programs that include the following elements:

• 1:1 coaching
• Group coaching
• Experiential workshops
• An online game based simulations and
• Access to our online learning platform

At what point should a person consider coaching? How does it help?

We are always making choices relating to our present situation or future choices and while choices might often work out well, it is very helpful to have a coach or mentor who will act as a sounding board, enhance our levels of self-awareness, support in self-discovery and increase your levels of self-belief.

What was your journey like to get where you are?

My journey has been a series of learning activities that still continue. I continue to do many things, some work out well and some don’t. Those that do not work out help me learn about what I should not do. For example, it was really wonderful to merge the worlds of sports coaching and management consultancy to becoming an executive coach.

While, it was not a path that I charted, I was fortunate that it worked out so well.

A Piece of Advice for Entrepreneurs

Venture in the field only if you are really committed and passionate about it.  Don’t enter any business only for financial benefit. Start by up-skilling yourself to become familiar with the domain. To minimize the possibility of staying on a painful learning curve, invest in a qualified business coach.

Success in business requires you to balance passion with skillful financial acumen

Any myths about coaching you would like to debunk?

Coaching is NOT a remedial activity. It is also not an opportunity to seek advice from others.

Through the application of non-directive techniques, the experienced coach helps one to discover and perform to one’s potential.

Are there any self-coaching tips that one can adapt.

While Self-coaching is an excellent practice it requires high levels of discipline. The simplest form of self-coaching is to take time-out for frequent self-reflection. Seek ways for new learning and self- renewal.

Any advice for alums:

I would encourage that at various stages of one’s career to actively seek and engage the services of an experienced, certified coach.  I can confidently state that he impact is immeasurable and as testimony would add that even now actively work with my own coach

If someone wants to avail of your services, how can they connect with you?

Those interested in availing of our Personal Leadership Advisory services may mail us at business@isecindia.in or if they are interested in being coached or becoming a coach mail programs@isecindia.in . Details are also available at www.isecindia.in 

Your favorite quote…

Example moves the world more than doctrine. Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him.

Henry Miller