ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

Case study on Dhirubhai Ambanis leadership Qualities

Submitted By Arpit Kasliwal BBA-11BSUHH010012

Submitted To Ms.Farah Naqvi

Abstract
Dhirubhai Ambani was an exceptional human being and an outstanding leader. A man far ahead of his times, he epitomised the dauntless entrepreneurial spirit. He dared to dream on a scale unimaginable before in Indian Industry. His life and achievements prove that backed by Confidence, Courage and Conviction, man can achieve the impossible. From a humble beginning, he went on to create an enviable business empire within a span of just 25years. The Reliance Groups turnover represents nearly 3% of Indias GDP and is a living testimony to his indomitable will, single-minded dedication and an unrelenting commitment to his goals. He was the first Indian businessman to recognise the strategic significance of investors and discover the vast untapped potential of capital markets and channelize it for growth and development. This case study represents the achievements and the major leadership qualities of Dhirubhai Ambani.

About Dhirubhai Ambani

Dhirajlal Hirachand Ambani better known as Dhirubhai Ambani was born on 28th December 1932 and was an Indian rags-to-riches business tycoon who founded Reliance Industries in Mumbai with his cousin. Ambani took his company public in 1977. His life has often been referred to as the rags to riches story. Dhirubhais life is one of the best examples of ordinary man achieving extraordinary. Business sense came early as he sold Bhajias to pilgrims on Mount Girnar during his childhood. He went to Yemen to join his elder brother and worked at a gas station. Later he got promoted as the distributer of shell products. He came to India and started the business of exporting spices. In Mumbai in 1958. After making modest profits, he moved into textiles and opened his mill near Ahmedabad. He founded Reliance Industries in 1966, and today, the company, with over 85,000 employees, provide almost 5% of the Central Governments tax revenue.

An Opportunist
A Leaders true sense lies in the fact that he always looks for an opportunity and Dhirubhai Ambani always looked up for all the opportunities available to him. We can see this quality of Dhirubhai in the following instance during 1950s. In 1950s, the Yemini administration realized that their main unit of currency, the Rial, was disappearing fast. It was found that a young man, Dhirubhai in his twenties was placing unlimited buy orders for Yemini Rials. Rials, pure silver coins was much in demand at the London Bullion Exchange as Dhirubhai bought the Rials and melted them into pure silver and sold it to the Bullion traders in London.

A Visionary
A Leader must be capable of envisioning the future and taking the right decisions. Dhirubhai Ambanis this trait can be seen when he shifted his interests from spices to nylon fabrics as the Government introduced High Unit Value Scheme. When most Indian business houses depend on Government-Owned financial institutions for funds, Dhirubhai raised capital from the public by offering shares of his company. In his words, It does not require invitation to make profits.

The Innovator
One of the Leaders main qualities is to be innovative, think out of the box and to be creative. Dhirubhai Ambani is credited with starting the equity cult in India. Dhirubhai identified a new market for his brand Vimal- the nonmetro urban segment. He also went for Backward Integration and produced fibers inorder to strengthen his position in the textile sector.

The Helper
A leader should be a person who is capable of guiding others, motivating and encouraging others and standing as the role model for masses. When things went wrong, Dhirubhai was the first person to sense that the circumstances would have been beyond his teams control, rather than it been a slip on their part. Dhirubhais first insight was to join his men in putting out the fire and not crucifying them for it.

The Solution Seeker

A Leader must be able to find the best solution for any problem he faces. Dhirubhai faced resistance from other merchants, so he decided to open his own showroom for Vimal. Polyester Prince announced a buy back scheme when the Polyester he produced was losing its demand. Whenever a task seemed too big to be accomplished, he would reply NO is no answer. In his words, Its difficult but not Impossible.

The Network Strategist

A Leader must have the capacity to create connections and have huge networks and must be able to socialize and communicate very effectively. Dhirubhais this trait can be seen when he exported a wide range of commodities to Aden using his connections in Aden. To promote Vimal, advertising program was launched and franchises were been offered to shareholders in the entire country. Dhirubhai managed to create favourable centers in all the important areas- among the bureaucrats, the ruling politicians, as well as the media. These were the areas where power vested. Dhirubhai believed that in order to lead in business, a web of relationships is very necessary.

The Peoples Man

A Leader must be For and By the People and very friendly. Dhirubhai Ambani was a Peoples Man. He always followed an open-door policy. Employees could just walk into his cabin and discuss the problems. Dhirubhai was always inviting people into sharing their thoughts and ideas, rather than shutting them out. He was always there for his team and brought around confidence in them. Dhirubhai was ARM-AROUNDTHE-SHOULDER Leader. He did much more than words in letting people know that they belonged, that they had his trust, and that they had him on their side!.

Motivator
Dhirubhai Ambani was a great Motivator and Inspirer. This can be clearly seen in his words. Few motivational and inspiring words of Dhirubhai; 1. I am deaf to the word NO 2. Growth has no limit at Reliance. I keep revising my vision. Only when you can dream it, you can do it. 3. Think big, think fast, think ahead, ideas are no ones monopoly. 4. Dont give up, courage is my conviction. 5. Our dreams have to be bigger, Our ambitions higher, Our commitment deeper. And Our efforts greater. This is my dream for Reliance and India. 6. Give the youth a proper environment; Motivate them. Extend them the support they need. Each one of them has infinite source of energy. They will deliver. 7. Dream big but with your eyes open. 8. Produce your best.

Dhirubhaism- Unique style

Dhirubhai never followed the textbook style of management. He evolved a new style. The American style of entrepreneurship with the Japanese Focus on Technology was followed by him and an innate shrewdness of Gujju Businessman. Dhirubhai was a perfect manager of Time, Money, Men and Passion to find solution to problems. He believed that business was not all about Ethics and Morality, it was all about Expansion and Success. Hence, besides being dedicated, open, creative, fair, having great interpersonal and communication skills, and having the strive to achieve, the above mentioned unique qualities of Dhirubhai Ambani make him a great Leader.

Sun Sets Down

Dhirubhai Ambani stood as a role model for many and achieved many awards such as the Indias most admired C.E.O, Man of the Century Award, Indian Entrepreneur of the 20th century Award, and many more and was also being recognised as the Star of Asia and the Businessman of the year 1993 and many more. Dhirubhai Ambani took his last breath on July 6, 2002. He believes that Reliance will continue to progress even after his death and handed over the business to his brothers. Dhirubhai Ambani has inspired and motivated a lot and stood as a great leader and role model. Even after his death, people remember his for his great achievement and leadership and the Union Government released a postage stamp in his memory after his first death anniversary.