CIMA ‘Leader Link’ takes off
CIMA’S unique mentoring program for emerging young leaders commenced with the ‘meeting with the mentor.’ First group of mentees met with their mentor, Rajendra Theagarajah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hatton National Bank recently at the CIMA Division.
CIMA identified ten of the best business leaders in the country to be the mentors. They include Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman, National Development Bank; Lalith Fonseka, Jt Managing Director, Mackwoods Ltd; Dian Gomes, Managing Director, MAS Intimates; Trevine Jayasekera, Group Finance Director, Brandix Lanka Limited; Kumar Jayasooriya, Chairman / Managing Director, James Finlay & Co Ltd; Rohini Nanayakkara, Chairperson, Lanka Orix Leasing Company; Ronnie Peiris, Group Finance Director, John Keells Holdings; Shiromi Rajendra, Director / General Manager, Linea Aqua (pvt) Ltd; Faizal Salieh, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Amana Bank; R Theagarajah, Managing Director, Hatton National Bank Ltd
Each of the business leaders will have a maximum of eight mentees under their wings. All CIMA members between the ages of 25 and 35 were invited to apply for this unique program. Only eighty members were invited to join this ‘once a year’ program.
Comments from some of the mentees included ‘It was indeed a very valuable experience, as little insights from such a distinguished personality go a very long way. During the first session we had with Mr Theagaraja we discussed the importance of Honesty and integrity at the work place and in our personal lives. In addition to sharing his own experiences on how he handled several difficult inci- dents during his career, he was able to guide us on how we should tackle and look at things. Overall it was a great experience and I am looking forward for the next session. I think this is an excellent initiative by CIMA and would like to thank Mr Theagaraja for sacrificing is valuable time towards this program.’
‘ Yes, it was very informative and useful as a Banker for me to get an insight into real life management. It provides us with some background and knowledge of how our qualification will be useful in real life and everyday work life as an executive in a company. It also makes CIMA more than just a paper qualification where as they try to give training and ready us to real life by having such training courses and sessions with industry leaders. I personally found it very useful and helpful with a lot to take home from the time spent with my Mentor. It also enabled me to network and meet new people. Looking forward to the next meeting.’
‘The first mentoring session was useful, and the topic discussed was Honesty, there were several practical problems discussed. and it was interactive and the mentor was encouraging us to speak the problem or the challenges that we face in day to day business , and he have given some solution to the problems and mentor have also given several examples from his personal experience. Looking forward for the second session.’
‘It had been a wonderful experience with Mr. Theagarajah sharing his experience in a more practical manner. Honesty the first trait he elaborated on will be useful for our future career too on drawing the line in sticking to ethical standards amidst pressures, he himself stressed as very much important as leaders. Believe with the continuation of the sessions the benefits we would grab will be enormous whilst thanking the CIMA Sri Lanka Division of organizing this kind of a timely event.‘
‘It was a very enriching experience to meet a business leader of the caliber of Mr. Theagaraja. At the first meeting we discussed about honesty. The importance of honestly and the many challenges faced when upholding honesty were discussed. The main benefit of these sessions I believe are the insights you get from a person who has reached the top. These insights cannot be found in textbooks and will no doubt help us greatly in our careers.’
‘Discussion topic was" The importance of honesty and integrity for leadership". Integrity is the core foundation for leadership effectiveness and it blends with honesty, consistency and ethics, similar to a foundation of a well constructed house. Mr Rajendra Theagarajah is not only a renown leader in the society, but a leader with values and one who would lead by example. I consider myself privileged and honored to be a part of the discussion, and Ii am confident that the future sessions will add value to my professional and personal life.’