FROM CROWNE PLAZA AHMEDABAD CITY CENTRE, AHMEDABAD

              REVERSE LEADERSHIP

"So, Ladies, who will play the role of the General Manager?"

Sanjay Kaushik, General Manager, Crowne Plaza, Kochi volleyed this question in connection with the Women’s day Employee Engagement Activities. All the women employees were given a chance to act as a HOD on that day.

And guess who raised her hand?

It was Anjana Manohar, the Duty Manager. The whole day, she sat on the GM’s chair and orchestrated that days’ work. She acted, behaved and conducted like a General Manager, while other women employees acted as HODs. This happened in 2015 at Crowne Plaza, Kochi.

Sanjay Kaushik, (46) General Manager, Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre , Ahmedabad and also Area General Manager, West India was talking to me on “Reverse Leadership”. That is when he shared the above initiative. Today, Anjana is the Assistant Front Office Manager at this hotel. But, she is In Charge of Catering Sales; interestingly, her performance is stunningly spectacular.

“GMs should allow people to work in new areas. Be part of the problem, while supporting your team. It is one’s capabilities that will decide the success rate. Not the role. Make them dream big. Also make a critical path for them to grow” quipped Sanjay. He pointed out that the GMs should be very people passionate.

“GMs should think like an owner; not like an employee. Think ahead and create business opportunities. Have new formulas to bring revenue streams afresh. Over supply of rooms is a mirage; it is a myth. Explore your capabilities; that only will take you to the next level.”

“Be ready to learn from your juniors. I am in touch with hotel owners; this has helped me to think differently; also do things differently. A hotel GM should think and act like an entrepreneur. Trust your team members; give them more responsibilities. Case in point: encourage your staff to bite more than they can chew”.

“While I was the GM at Radisson Blu at Rudrapur (Uttarakhand) Keshav Parida was the Kitchen Stewarding Manager, I gave him extra responsibilities.He was given additional work of the Horticulture Manager plus the Health Club also came under him. He did exceeding well. Today Keshav is In Charge of the Herbal Garden at Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre, Ahmedabad.

Remember, Keshav Parida is a renowned yoga instructor. He is also an active member with two NGOs in Ahmedabad.

This interview happened at Sanjay’s cabin in the first week of February 2018; while I was speaking with him in between he requested both Anjana and Keshav to join him.
Thankfully, I knew both of them from before. I had first met Anjana at Trident (2011) and then in Crowne Plaza (2015) both in Kochi and met Keshav Parida at Crowne Plaza, Kochi. (2016)

Before joining this hotel, Sanjay Kaushik was at Crowne Plaza, Kochi as the
General Manager. It is the largest hotel in Kerala with 269 rooms.” The Best Manager Award” presented by the Kerala Government sat on his shoulders lightly. Perhaps, Sanjay Kaushik is the most revered, admired non -Malayali General Manager in Kochi next to Sanjay Sharma. (GM, Le Meridien, Kochi, (2000-2009).

Sanjay Kaushik is a pedigreed professional. Creative thinker. Visionary with sharp business acumen. Very guest centric. Appreciates his team members generously. Encourages them to go full steam.

Remember: Sanjay started his carrier as a self employed shop keeper, selling bakery products. His proficiency in Wrestling and Judo ensured the job of a constable in CISF. He was 26, got the job of a Junior Cashier at ITC Maurya, New Delhi. Here, he tasted the hospitality industry for the first time.Nine years down the line, became the Product Manager in this hotel.

Later, rose to the position of Duty Manager (Intercontinental Delhi), Rooms Division Manager (Country Inn & Suites), Resident Manager (Crowne Plaza Delhi); and was finally crowned as General Manager in Radisson Blu, Rudrapur. Kochi was his next stop. He was there for three years and five months. Those were the golden days of this hotel.

Fitness training and reading are his hobbies. Married to Arpana. Blessed with a son and a daughter. Karthik (21) and Kritika (11).

Text and Pictures by R Kesava Mallia in Ahmedabad