“No one like him,” says Chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran paying tribute to Ratan Tata
Chandrasekaran highlighted the remarkable influence of the iconic industrialist, emphasizing that anyone who encountered him left with a memorable tale of his generosity, compassion, and forward-thinking perspective for India.
On Monday, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, shared a touching tribute to his mentor on LinkedIn, reflecting on their time together. He highlighted Tata’s extraordinary talent for connecting with others and his keen attention to detail, which set him apart.
Ratan Tata passed away on October 9 at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, where he had been admitted for a regular health examination.
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“Our relationship grew over the years, first focusing on business and eventually evolving into a more personal connection. We discussed interests ranging from cars to hotels, but when our conversations turned to other matters—those of daily life—he would show how much he noticed and felt. He was someone to be discovered, over time and through experience,” he says.
An engaging story he recounted centers on the refurbishment of Bombay House, the legendary headquarters of the Tata Group. When Chandrasekaran discussed the renovation plans with Ratan Tata, his foremost worry was the well-being of the dogs. Chandrasekaran promised Tata that a kennel would be built for the dogs, which elicited a smile from Tata.
Chandrasekaran emphasized that Tata’s attention to detail and authentic concern for people, particularly his employees, were defining features of his leadership approach. Chandrasekaran fondly recalled a pivotal moment in 2017 when he and Ratan Tata collaborated to resolve a longstanding wage dispute between Tata Motors and its employees’ union. In a meeting with union leaders, Tata expressed regret over the delay, candidly discussed the company’s challenges, and assured a prompt resolution.
“Tata’s direction squarely focused on making sure employees were well taken care of—not just to resolve the dispute, but to ensure their and their families’ well-being. Across other Group companies, his perspective on employees was uniform. It is something that has shaped a number of our leaders across the Group,” he continues.
“ If Tata ever visited a place, he could recall everything – from the placement of smallest piece of furniture, the lighting, colours, and so on. His memory was photographic. He remembered the covers and content of books and magazines and referred to them even years later. He was always observing and processing, from large ideas to minute detail,” he said.
There is so much else to say about who he was, but for now, as I process his absence, this will have to do. His eye received everything clearly, as his mind perceived everything clearly,” he says concluding his post.