Commanding the Depths: Trust, Teamwork, and Leadership | Cdr Ranjan Bhattacharya | TEDxIIMSambalpur

Submarine Life and Command

• Commander Ranjan Bachara, a former submarine officer in the Indian Navy, shares his experiences and insights on submarine life and command.
• Submarines are complex military equipment designed for warfare, carrying an arsenal capable of destroying entire countries.
• Submarines operate underwater at depths of around 300 meters, navigating and interacting with the outside world solely through sound.
• Selection for submarine duty is voluntary and involves rigorous training and assessment.
• Commanding a submarine is a significant responsibility, requiring mental, physical, and intellectual capabilities to perform under stress.

Challenges and Decision-Making

• Commander Bachara recounts his first dive as a commanding officer, facing an underwater accident that caused flooding and rendered critical equipment inoperable.
• Despite the near-death experience, the crew's training and professionalism kicked in, taking immediate action to bring the submarine to safety.
• The crew worked tirelessly for 24 hours to assess the damage and salvage the situation, demonstrating their resilience and dedication.
• The submarine commander faced a dilemma after an accident during a mission and had to decide whether to admit the accident and face consequences or attempt to salvage the situation.
• Despite the risks involved, the commander chose to continue the mission after careful planning and risk assessment, with the support of his crew.
• The crew successfully completed the mission and returned to the surface, demonstrating the importance of training, preparation, and risk management in overcoming challenges.

Leadership Lessons

• The commander emphasizes the significance of seeing opportunities in calamities, learning from mistakes, and empowering team members.
• He stresses the value of encouraging dissent and open communication within an organization, as well as the importance of maintaining confidence and hope during difficult times.
• The commander highlights the need for leaders to develop future leaders and share successes with their teams, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Appreciation and Gratitude

• The speaker expresses gratitude for the shared incident, which brings a smile to their face even in tough situations.
• An apology is made for the delay and keeping the recipient awake late.
• Appreciation is conveyed for the recipient's service as a Navy person.
• The speaker believes the leadership lessons shared will serve as a guiding light for those entering the corporate world.