In this interview, we delve into the inspiring journey of Dr. Tansen Chaudhari, the Executive Director and CEO of Fluid Controls Private Limited. Discover how Dr. Chaudhari transitioned from a successful career at General Electric to leading Fluid Controls, a company known for its innovation in instrumentation fittings and connectors. Dr. Chaudhari shares his experiences, leadership style, and the values that guide his vision for the future of Fluid Controls. Learn about the strategies that have helped him overcome challenges, foster a strong team, and redefine success in the industry. This interview provides insights into the remarkable journey of a CEO who is dedicated to shaping the leaders of tomorrow and driving innovation.
Introducing Dr. Tansen Chaudhari and His Career Path
Dr. Tansen Chaudhari is a passionate leader who believes in creating leaders who further give back to the community. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Bombay, India. His career began with General Electric (GE), where he spent 10 years working globally in various roles, including Researcher, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, P&L Leader, Country Volunteers Leader, and Ombudsperson. Despite his strong network within GE, Dr. Chaudhari felt like a drop in the ocean at the company. However, at Fluid Controls, he found the opportunity to create an ocean. This opportunity inspired him to take on a role at Fluid Controls, where he could leverage his skills to shape future leaders.
Defining Success in 2024
For Dr. Chaudhari, success is closely tied to the achievements of his team at Fluid Controls. Since joining the company in 2011, he has built a strong process foundation that continues to guide the Company’s goals, even as they look ahead to 2024. The success Fluid Controls has achieved is the result of a combination of factors, all rooted in the solid foundation established over the years. Dr. Chaudhari emphasizes that the contributions of every team member have been vital in reaching these milestones.
Vision for the Future and Driving Forces
Dr. Chaudhari’s vision for Fluid Controls is to transform the Company into a global organization. When he joined the Company in 2011, he defined a vision statement that continues to guide their mission. One of the key principles Dr. Chaudhari lives by is that “Values drive behavior, and behavior drives results.” This philosophy sets Fluid Controls apart as they measure themselves against their own standards rather than external competition. For Dr. Chaudhari, competing with oneself is the best way to navigate the right path, especially in a global context.
Fostering Innovation and Adapting to Challenges
Integrity, Innovation, and Reliability are at the core values of Fluid Controls. Dr. Chaudhari leads a team that excels in innovation and reliability while maintaining the highest standards of integrity. Fluid Controls plans its projects and activities over 1, 3, and 5-year horizons, regularly monitoring progress to ensure they stay on track. This strategic approach serves as the vector for Fluid Controls, guiding growth and defining direction. Dr. Chaudhari ensures that the Company remains adaptable and able to pivot as necessary to meet new challenges and opportunities.
Maintaining Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Dr. Chaudhari believes that every drop matters in the ocean, and at Fluid Controls, the team moves forward together with no surprises. This strategic resilience was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Company experienced zero work stoppages. Dr. Chaudhari turned the market slowdown during the pandemic into an opportunity for innovation, developing new products and processes. Fluid Controls is proud to hold two global/USA patents and two Indian patents, underscoring their commitment to innovation and resilience.
Empowering Others to Lead
Dr. Chaudhari takes ownership of the team’s failures while crediting every success to his team members. Each team member operates as if they are the owner of Fluid Controls, driving every function with a strong sense of responsibility. Dr. Chaudhari has instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in every individual at Fluid Controls, and even the company’s suppliers experience this sense of empowerment.
Mentorship and Leadership Development
One memorable mentorship experience for Dr. Chaudhari involved working with an individual from one of Fluid Controls’ suppliers who was involved in the heat treatment process. Over the course of two years, Dr. Chaudhari challenged this individual’s technical ideas and helped refine his people-management skills. Today, this individual is a successful entrepreneur. Dr. Chaudhari believes that sharing knowledge only increases its value and encourages others to mentor and share their experiences.
Addressing Pressing Global Challenges
Affordable innovation is one of the most pressing global challenges today, and Dr. Chaudhari believes that collaboration is essential to addressing this challenge. At Fluid Controls, collaboration with customers, suppliers, and employees is key to delivering the best possible outcomes. Dr. Chaudhari emphasizes that no one is self-sufficient, and working together is a necessity in today’s world.
Emerging Technologies in the Industry
Dr. Chaudhari believes that innovation in materials and precision machining will play a significant role in navigating the industry in which Fluid Controls operates. These emerging technologies have the potential to drive growth and innovation in the field.
Balancing Risk with Innovation and Growth
Dr. Chaudhari believes that calculated risk taken individually is riskier than risk taken by a team. He ensures that strategic decision-making at Fluid Controls involves cross-functional teams. Training employees and sharing team learnings help make Fluid Controls averse to failures. This approach allows the company to balance risk with the potential for innovation and growth.
Managing Crises and Leading Through Challenges
At Fluid Controls, Dr. Chaudhari takes on two types of leadership roles: leading from the front and guiding from the back. This flexibility and egoless approach enable him to find solutions to every problem. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fluid Controls formed teams based on their site-based or non-site-based roles. These teams were further divided into smaller groups responsible for logistics, shop-floor operations, compliance, and more. Despite the challenges, Fluid Controls continued its operations, with Dr. Chaudhari and his direct reports leading by example on the shop floor. The company prioritized the health and safety of its employees, suppliers, and community during the pandemic, ensuring a strong response to the crisis.
Prioritizing Employee Well-Being and Fostering a Positive Work Culture
Dr. Chaudhari’s motto at Fluid Controls is “Individual Health First.” The Company encourages employees to participate in morning Pranayama and Yoga classes, supports regular health check-ups, and fosters a family-like atmosphere through sports activities and frequent get-togethers. Dr. Chaudhari emphasizes the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, which allow employees to take on leadership roles, even if they don’t hold significant functional positions. Diversity in all functions is a priority at Fluid Controls, and employees are encouraged to volunteer for causes of their choice.
Engaging in Self-Reflection and Continuous Personal Development
Dr. Chaudhari believes in leading by example and practicing what he preaches. He actively engages in Pranayama, Yoga, and team get-togethers, embodying the “Walk-The-Talk” leadership style. Despite his global travels, Dr. Chaudhari remains in constant communication with his team, seeking feedback and continuously working on personal development. Spirituality helps keep him grounded, and his open-door policy ensures accessibility for employees, enabling him to receive valuable inputs for improvement.
Significant Achievements and Milestones
Dr. Chaudhari spent 10 years at GE and is now in his 13th year at Fluid Controls. He initially joined the Company as an employee and later acquired a percentage of ownership and leading the Company as the Executive Director and CEO. One of his most significant achievements is the innovation of Fluid Controls’ Fittings, specifically the Back Ferrule component, which required case hardening—a type of heat treatment for its surface. Fluid Controls was granted a global/USA patent for this process, which has uniquely positioned the Company in the market. This innovation reduces costs and significantly shortens delivery times, demonstrating Dr. Chaudhari’s focus on cost-effectiveness and the company’s dedication to innovation. Fluid Controls has been in the business for 50 years, and under Dr. Chaudhari’s leadership, the Company continues to thrive and innovate in the industry.
In conclusion, Dr. Tansen Chaudhari’s journey from a global career at General Electric to leading Fluid Controls Private Limited is a testament to his dedication to innovation, leadership, and community-building. His emphasis on values, strategic resilience, and empowering his team has not only driven the Company’s success but also fostered a culture of collaboration and continuous growth. Through his unwavering commitment to excellence, Dr. Chaudhari continues to inspire others to lead with integrity, making Fluid Controls a beacon of innovation and reliability in the industry.
