As Millennials and Gen Z Enter the Workforce, Leaders Must Evolve into Coaches: HMA President

The Centre for Organization Development (COD), in collaboration with the Hyderabad Management Association (HMA), organized the B.L. Maheshwari Memorial Lecture at the COD Campus. The event brought together distinguished leaders, academicians, and professionals to honor the legacy of Dr. B.L. Maheshwari, the visionary founder of COD.

Dr. Srinivas Kandula, Director – COD, in his welcome address, reflected on the rich legacy of COD and paid tribute to Management Guru Dr. M. L. Maheshwari, whose vision and thought leadership continue to inspire generations of professionals.

Mr. Alwala Devender Reddy, President – HMA, delivered his address on the theme “From Command to Coaching: The New Era of Corporate Leadership.” He noted that leadership has shifted from command and control to collaboration, empathy, and shared decision-making. With Millennials and Gen Z entering the workforce, he emphasized the need for leaders to act as coaches, enabling young professionals to grow and contribute.

He highlighted how HMA bridges the gap between industry and academia. The Industry Readiness Program (IRP) prepares students for a seamless transition from campus to corporate life. By integrating a Community Readiness Program alongside professional skilling, HMA fosters the holistic growth of youth. The Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), with its unique syllabus and delivery model, is making waves in academia. It seeks to transform students’ mind sets from job seekers to job givers. Through these initiatives, students are inspired not merely as professionals but as nation-builders and change-makers, shaping the future of Bharat.

Since 2013, the synergy between the Hyderabad Management Association (HMA) and Centre for Organization Development (COD) has been flourishing—strengthening leadership, innovation, and industry–academia collaboration.
Dr. Sunita Maheshwari, Chairperson – COD, introduced the Chief Guest and Speaker. She fondly recalled the immense contributions of her father, Dr. B.L. Maheshwari, to the field of management and organizational development, and his role in shaping COD as a pioneering institution in India.

The B.L. Maheshwari Memorial Lecture was delivered by Ms. Sita Pallacholla, CEO – WE Hub, on the theme “Capital Beyond Cash: Networks and Narratives.”In her engaging talk, Ms. Pallacholla underlined how intangible forms of capital—networks, trust, and shared narratives—play a crucial role in driving innovation, resilience, and sustainable organizational growth.She also shared inspiring success stories of women entrepreneurs from Telangana.

The COD–HMA collaborative initiative not only celebrated the enduring vision of Dr. B.L. Maheshwari but also created a meaningful platform for contemporary management dialogue, reinforcing the importance of evolving leadership paradigms in the age of transformation. The program was graced by the presence of HMA Past Presidents — Mr. Shyam Mohan Ananthula, Wg Cdr. A. Bharath Bhushan, Mr. Nagesh Vishwanatham, Mr. Ramesh Vemuganti, and Mr. Sravan Madap. Mr. Vaasudevan G, Secretary of HMA, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries and participants for their presence and support.