IIM Ranchi hosted an engaging session under its author talk series, Ink & Impact, featuring Mr. Anil Swarup, a former Secretary to the Government of India and a distinguished author. The event drew an enthusiastic audience comprising students, faculty, staff, and invited guests.

The address was developed at the intersection of business and literature, where Mr. Swarup outlined how leaders can network, negotiate, and work effectively with senior stakeholders while navigating the nuances of policy and politics. He emphasized the importance of clarity of purpose and integrity in action, which connect ideas with measurable impact. Citing his latest book, You Can Make It Happen, he proposed that conviction must be matched by disciplined execution, continuous learning, and resilience under constraints.

Highlighting communication as a leadership imperative, Mr. Swarup stated that a key factor in communication and persuasion is understanding the client’s context deeply, followed by the ability to articulate value with precision and empathy. He encouraged participants to evolve their own thinking through rigorous feedback and critical reflection, noting that influence grows when trust, evidence, and relevance align. He further urged the audience to treat history as a source of lessons and not dwell on what cannot be changed, drawing equally from progress and failures, while firmly focusing energy on what can be changed rather than on unalterable circumstances.

The talk was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session in which students engaged with Mr. Swarup on practical approaches to navigating authority, communicating effectively, and working within politics and authoritative workplaces to drive change. The discussion reflected IIM Ranchi’s emphasis on dialogue-driven, practice-oriented learning and its commitment to convening leaders who translate reflection into action. The event concluded with a memento presentation to Mr. Swarup in appreciation of his contributions and engagement with the IIM Ranchi community, followed by a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Satyam.