The heart of excellence lies in the individual whose creativity results in the success of the organization, said R. Gopalakrishnan, Director of Tata Sons, here on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering on ‘Achieving Excellence – An attitude or a goal?’ during the founder’s oration at Ganga Hospital here, Gopalakrishnan said that individuals are the important driving force behind successful companies. “It is the cognitive ability of the individuals that help the company and the same ability has over years helped the humans rule the world,” he said.

He said that there is always a rivalry between the young aspirations and old players in the market over who is more successful. However, he opined that each is unique in their special ways. “There should be a balance between creativity, excellence, growth, and sustained development in order to bring out the best out of individuals. This balance will help manage a large number of people with ease,” he added.

Sharing three thoughts from his life experience, Gopalakrishnan said that he was very much impressed with a cook he met at Taj in Covai who owned Indian restaurant in UK. He transformed the inexpensive village food of India to lip-smacking dishes sold at an attractive price in pounds. He also met a maid who saved 40 lives at the same hotel during the 2011 Mumbai terrorist attack by using a rope.

“My driver used to rush to my side and open the door for me. While I thought it was out of courtesy, he replied that I bang the door too much and, in an effort to save the door from me, he rushes to open the door,” he quipped.

Advising the hospital authority to maintain a healthy interaction with the patient and the hospital staff, he said that success can be attained only with a prevalence of such an environment in the hospital.

M. Krishnan, the Managing Director of Krishna Sweets, presided over the event. Police Commissioner of Coimbatore City A.K. Viswanathan was among the special invitees.