Leading With Heart

Is compassion a crucial leadership quality? Which leadership quality is more successful in today’s fast-paced world? Using the heart or the brain to lead?

In this episode of The Payal Nanjiani Leadership Podcast, Payal Nanjiani a Leadership expert, world-renowned executive coach, and a New York award-winning author goes one on one with - Rajan Wadhera | Celebrity Chef. The owner of one of the best and top-known restaurants in London- Raunka Punjab. You can listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Payal: What makes you so comfortable in just speaking with anyone, coming and sitting around with them, getting to know them and their family?

Rajan: Basically I am people’s people. I love giving that personal touch. Of course, our food is made with love but if you give it a personal touch, it does not take a lot. If you go and talk to somebody, know their needs, and treat them well. What I did with you was not about marketing, it was about being human. Because I am a people person, that’s the reason I go and involve myself, asking little kids, and elders what they would like to eat and drink and what their taste is. If you personally involve yourselves, that is a winning formula for me. I have repeat customers, customers around the globe. I have a lot of English people and they come and demand some authentic stuff from India. I keep changing my menu and my menu is full of surprises simply because I put a lot of love, effort, and passion into it, and with a personal touch, it goes far and beyond.

Payal: How do you build trust with your customers, and your teams and keep that authenticity?

Rajan: My restaurants are not normal restaurants, they are concept restaurants. Raunka Punjab is a concept of Punjab. The concept reflects a complete Punjabi theme. These people are ethnically dressed and well-trained in Punjabi cuisine, the whole atmosphere is Punjabi, and the whole ambiance is Punjabi. It’s like bringing somebody from London to Punjab. I have paid personal attention so that once somebody comes in, they should see everything that they can see in Punjab. In Punjab, the service sector is very good, and helpful. They are very good people. I picked this up. When I made this restaurant, I research. I picked up all these points and this is what we want to portray in our restaurant. When you come to my restaurant, we want to give them that feel that you are sitting in a Punjabi village, in a Punjabi environment and we are here to serve you in a Punjabi way wholeheartedly.

Payal: What is the best piece of advice that you want to give to aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs who want to grow and succeed at their work?

Rajan: Whatever your product is, just put your heart into it. If you do things, put your heart into them and do it honestly, the end result would be beautiful. Do take criticism positively because good criticism and good competition are very healthy. If I am honest in my work, and in my approach to other people, it will give me fruitful results.