An interview with Ravichandran Venkatraman | Founder | Alive Consultancy

Q1. Since you are a Coach, Mentor and Educationist. Can you please define “Everyday Leadership” and what it includes?

Everyday leadership is all around us—we just need to recognize it. Often, we associate leadership with titles like Managing Director, Vice President, or Prime Minister. But true leadership isn’t confined to positions of power; it’s about inspiring and influencing others in everyday situations. As John Quincy Adams wisely said, “When you inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

This kind of leadership happens in our daily lives: a teacher who motivates students, a colleague who lifts up a team, or a friend who offers guidance during a tough time. It’s about small actions that create a positive impact, encourage growth, and foster connection. Everyday leadership is about stepping up, taking responsibility, and setting an example—not because of a title, but because of a commitment to making things better. If we start looking at the world through this lens, we’ll realize that leaders are everywhere, every day.

Q2. Education is not just an individual endeavour, but also a vehicle for social change and nation building. Why to rethink higher Education for Future?

Rethinking higher education isn’t just about helping individuals land better jobs—it’s about shaping the future of our society and strengthening our nation as a whole. Learning is a lifelong journey, and the skills we develop today will directly impact the economy and communities of tomorrow. Governments recognize this and work to predict the skills that will be in demand and ensure that education systems are producing them. However, if the education system fails to keep up with these changing needs, graduates are left ill-prepared, and industries are forced to bridge the gap with costly training or by seeking talent from other countries.

I’ve personally seen this gap when speaking with computer science graduates in Tamil Nadu. Many were taking low-paying jobs, despite having degrees. The reason? Their coding skills didn’t match what employers were looking for, their ability to write algorithms wasn’t strong, and their communication skills, particularly in English, were a barrier. Beyond technical skills, they weren’t prepared for the professional world—the formal expectations and work culture that go beyond college life. And while companies still prefer engineering degrees over diplomas, this is beginning to change. However, societal pressures added another layer, with many students pursuing higher degrees simply to meet cultural expectations, like securing a “good match” for marriage.

This is where we need to rethink education as a whole—not just higher education, but also what happens in schools before that. Our education system needs to equip young people with skills early on that will help them succeed in the future job market. If we don’t, we risk squandering the potential of our young population. What could be our greatest strength—the demographic advantage of a youthful, educated workforce—could quickly become a challenge instead. By fostering communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking from the very beginning, we can build an education system that not only meets the demands of today’s industries but also prepares future generations for a constantly changing world. This way, higher education becomes a true driver of progress, both for individuals and for the nation. If we don’t set our children up for success from the start, our demographic dividend could quickly turn into a demographic disaster.

Q3. Inferior education contributes to skill gaps. How to fix or what are the best practices to overcome?

Skill gaps in our workforce stem from multiple factors, not just educational practices. On the demand side, government and industry must collaborate to identify future skills needs, assess current skill inventories, and determine whether we can train workers locally or need to import skills. On the supply side, the government must increase investment in education, especially in rural areas where over 85% of children study. Currently, India spends just 3% of its GDP on education and skill development—this should rise to at least 10% for meaningful impact.

To bridge these gaps, there are several key priorities that need attention. First, the expansion of paid skill development programs should be incentivized, ensuring that individuals have access to the training they need to be employable. Leadership within schools and colleges also plays a critical role; principals should be trained to make curricula more relevant to industry needs and forge strong connections with businesses. This will ensure that students are equipped with skills that are in demand.

Teacher training is another vital area. Teachers need to be re-oriented to embrace modern, industry-relevant teaching methods, with an emphasis on critical thinking and practical application. Education should not just be about memorizing facts; it should encourage children to think, analyze, and solve problems in ways that align with industry expectations. Curricula must evolve to reflect these needs. At the same time, parents need to be educated about the importance of modern educational approaches and the evolving nature of the job market, rather than clinging to outdated beliefs about what constitutes a “successful” education.

In higher education, we face a shortage of institutions with skilled faculty, which contributes to the skills gap. The government should work towards increasing the number of quality institutions, where faculty members are capable of offering a strong, relevant education. Also, integrating more hands-on experience with academic learning will go a long way in ensuring that students are job-ready. An 8-hour academic day should balance theoretical learning with 3 to 4 hours of practical work in an organization, bridging the gap between classroom education and real-world employability. There is a lot to be done. Let us start here and then take it forward.

Q4. What will be your message for Academic and Industry leaders with regard to serving the best to each other?

To academic and industry leaders, my message is simple: collaboration between academia, industry, and government is essential to close the skills gap and prepare our workforce for the future. The process begins with the government increasing its budget allocation for education and skill development. This investment should prioritize both primary and secondary education, particularly in rural areas where the majority of students are located.

In tandem, the government, academic institutions, and industry must work together to identify the skills that will be in demand over the next decade and develop a strategic plan to address them. This collaboration should extend to curriculum development, ensuring that college courses integrate practical, real-world experience alongside theoretical learning. Students should spend part of their day working in industry environments, ensuring their education is not only relevant but impactful.

It’s also vital to strengthen the teaching and skilling community. We need leaders in educational institutions who have practical, real-world experience beyond academia, enabling them to align teaching with the evolving demands of industry.

Lastly, industry leaders should consider sending some of their middle management professionals to work in colleges for a year. This exchange would bring fresh industry insights into academic environments and foster stronger connections between education and the business world.