Specifically in the Indian context, stories of individuals relocating to metro cities due to either lack of opportunities, unfavorable circumstances, or other personal reasons are not unheard of.
Hailing from an Army Family, Bijender Mishra, CISO and Sr. GM IT at Alkem Laboratories Ltd, also moved to Delhi from a small village in Bihar when he was six. Always fascinated with all things tech, he pursued a B.Tech from Kanpur University and then an MBA in IT from the Institute of Technology & Management with the help of his family to turn his ambitions into something gigantic. Recently he has completed the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) program from ISB.
Climbing the success ladder through tech-driven business transformation, Mr. Mishra has a wealth of over 24 years of experience and numerous accolades spanning sectors such as IT, cyber security, cyber defense, and more—making him one of the Most Dynamic Leaders in Digital Transformation to follow in 2024.
Strategic Elimination of Challenges
Be it leadership or otherwise, the business landscape presents some inevitable challenges. However, the intensity of these challenges depends upon the individual leaders and the uniqueness of their operations.
In Bijender Mishra’s leadership journey, he primarily faced difficulties adapting to change, building a robust team of talented individuals and maintaining it, navigating uncertain times, and balancing competing priorities to stay ahead of the curve.
To tackle these obstacles, Bijender Mishra incorporated strategic thinking, effective communication, resilience, and adaptability into his leadership. His mentors, coaches, and other trusted advisors also played a crucial role in introducing Bijender Mishra to various methods of successfully overcoming difficult situations.
Lessons Learned through Obstacles
His constant desire to learn and pursuit of self-improvement fuels Bijender Mishra’s leadership journey. Over the years, he has understood the essential role of clear communication and setting expectations in the leadership scenario—ensuring everyone is aligned and working toward common goals.
Through the inevitable challenges, Adaptability and flexibility enabled Bijender to tackle them while simultaneously creating new opportunities. A believer in Leading by example and modeling desired behavior and values, Bijender has been instrumental in cultivating an environment where individuals can maximize their potential.
Bijender Mishra always stays ahead of the curve by keeping track of the latest industry trends and developments-showcasing a transparent, collaborative, adaptable, and future-focused leadership.
A Novel Leadership Approach
With a proven track record of successfully driving innovation and digital transformation, Bijender is a prime example of a visionary IT leader. His unique leadership approach, coupled with tech advancements, helps the organization achieve its objectives efficiently by converting them into a strategic IT plan.
Beyond his technical expertise, Bijender Mishra effectively led the teams to deliver major IT projects on time and within the allotted budget. By building robust relationships with stakeholders, he has fostered a collaborative environment that encourages innovation—aiming for a better future.
Culture of Innovation and Creativity
Encouraging and supporting new ideas and solutions is vital to creating an environment of innovation and creativity. Here are some specific strategies Bijender has implemented across teams at Alkem Laboratories:
- Providing resources, tools, and training required to generate and develop new ideas.
- Encouraging collaboration and cross-functional teamwork to bring together diverse perspectives and skill sets.
- Recognizing and rewarding team members for their innovative ideas and contributions.
- Creating a safe and supportive environment where the individuals feel comfortable sharing their ideas and taking risks.
- Encouraging experimentation and learning from failure, rather than punishing mistakes.
Inspiration striking at the right time
“Looking back at my life, several people have inspired me, all at the right time.”
For an 18-year-old Bijender, a person who inspired him at that young age did not turn out to be as inspirational in the later stage of his life. Bijender understood that different people and leaders will impact various phases of his life.
Bijender strives to create a community and is keen on learning from others. He highlights how Mahatma Gandhi’s frequent fasting underlined how disciplined, persistent, and spiritually strong he was. It also showcased that he lived by example—he was the change that he wanted to see in the world.
4 Mantras to Strike Work-Life Balance
Successful leaders understand the critical role of striking a healthy work-life balance. However, it can also be challenging and requires strategic implementation of processes and operations.
- As an employee, it is imperative to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. It helps individuals focus during work hours, allowing for proper rest and rejuvenation outside of them.
- Prioritizing self-care will reward the leaders who invest in the physical and mental health of the teams and on an individual level. Individuals can excel through regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and adequate sleep. Strategic breaks throughout the day are also crucial to enhance concentration and decision-making.
- Effective delegation is another winning strategy. By delegating tasks and empowering team members to take on leadership roles, leaders can lighten their workload and cultivate a team environment to foster ownership and growth. This results in a more engaged and high-performing team.
- Making time for activities and relationships outside of work is vital. Pursuing hobbies, interests, and social connections could help relieve stress and spark fresh perspectives for your leadership role. Leaders who prioritize techniques like meditation or deep breathing can further cultivate a sense of calm and focus. These practices equip you to manage stress effectively and approach challenges with clarity.
Crafting a Purpose-Driven Tomorrow
A sense of purpose and fulfillment through achieving the goals and positively impacting the industry are the primary factors that keep Bijender Mishra motivated to keep going. Beyond this, witnessing his team successfully grow through unfavorable situations, a strong sense of team responsibility, customers, and stakeholders drives him forward amidst adversity.
“I want to leave a legacy of innovation, growth, and success.”
Company Info:
| Website: http://www.alkemlabs.com |
| Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing |
| Company size: 10,001+ employees |
| Headquarters: Mumbai |
| Type: Privately Held |
| Founded: 1973 |
| Specialties: Marketing & Sales |
Over 24 years of Illustrious Journey
1. Early Career:
- Entered the IT field
- Developed a strong foundation in IT and cyber security principles
2. Cyber Security Pioneer:
- Pioneered IT security audits, implementing control and risk & compliance measures
- Conducted multiple cyber/digital forensic investigations
- Gained proficiency in information risk management, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning
3. Global Security Expert:
- Achieved certifications in security frameworks
- Deepened understanding of Consumer & Industrial IoT Security, Digital Technology
- Gained expertise in Penetration Testing, Malware Analysis, Reverse Engineering & Cryptography
4. Expanding Horizons:
- Worked across 3 continents, managing a cyber security portfolio for over 35 countries
- Advocated for creating “Cyber Warriors” to foster a strong cyber security culture within organizations
- Current Role:
- CISO at Alkem Laboratories Ltd, Mumbai
Advice for Entrepreneurs
- Pursue your passion and stay true to your values.
- Be willing to take risks and learn from failure.
- Surround yourself with a strong support network of mentors, advisors, and peers.
- Stay curious and continuously seek out new knowledge and experiences.
- Embrace change and be adaptable in the face of uncertainty.
- Lead by example and treat others with respect and empathy.
- Stay focused on your goals and be persistent in the face of challenges.