Dr. Adil Dalal

A True Leader of Leaders

Nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Adil Dalal left his executive job at a multi-billion dollar medical corporation in California to emerge as an internationally renowned Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker, and published Author of 4 books. 

An insider to the cut-throat corporate world for more than a decade, he was driven to reinvent leadership principles to fit the present world. “Leadership is a total failure at all levels and needs a complete reset. It has become synonymous with power and money, instead of inspiration. At the corporate level, research shows that 69% of human capital is being wasted due to disengagement. This is not surprising, as 86% of CEOs themselves say they lack the leadership talent to lead their organizations. At a global level, the planet is facing an extreme existential crisis. There are numerous hotspots around the world, recession is looming in various countries, and basic human needs are not being met. Are most leaders successful today? Are the leadership models working at corporate or global levels? The answers to both are a resounding ‘NO!’”

Being an executive leader himself, Dr. Dalal is aware that leadership in the present landscape is like trying to run in quicksand. He goes on to list what is causing this tectonic shift:

• Month-to-month market pressure
• Desire for quick and short-term results
• Lack of true innovation 
• Generation shift of employees, leading to different values and disengagement
• Rapidly evolving technology 

Dr. Dalal found that the leadership failures, financial strains, and global distress are due to a huge disparity between the needs of the followers and what the leaders provide. “Steve Jobs said that ‘innovation’ distinguishes between a leader and a follower. According to me, we need to innovate leadership by transforming the skillset of models, tools, and teachings to a mindset of being, thinking, and acting. Leaders today need a higher consciousness. If they can shed the old model, survive, and thrive, they will be successful.” 

Dr. Dalal’s first and biggest challenge was how to empty the cup, and fill it with fresh knowledge: that is, make leaders unlearn all that they had learned and teach them the path to true leadership. He thus established Pinnacle Process Solutions, Intl., LLC in 2004 to coach people in the areas of organizational excellence, business, leadership, stress management, and peak performance. Today, Pinnacle is a global leader in bringing about permanent positive transformations by analyzing and implementing innovative customized solutions in lean, Six Sigma, project leadership, digital transformation, AI, etc. 

Dr. Dalal shares his views on the global stage through his writings and radio show – See2B. He has published 4 books – ‘The Legacy Driven Life’; ‘Change Your World So You Can Change the World’; ‘ASQ Lean Handbook’; and multiple award-winning ‘The 12 Pillars of Project Excellence: A Lean Approach to Improving Project Results’. It won the Axiom Business Book Medal, the Shingo Research and Publication Award, and the ASQ Philip Crosby Medal. The book was also adopted as a ‘Leadership Body of Knowledge’ by the Human Development & Leadership division of ASQ.  

Giving us a ringside view, he shares the 5 powers of great leadership from the book:

1. Delegation 

• Critical step to transition from manager to leader

2. Dynamic Leadership

• Leadership style is dependent on maturity of followers

3.  Power of Visualization

• Great leaders need this power to see and show the path forward

4. Power of Lean Thinking

• Leaders need to optimize and achieve more with limited resources

5. Power of Humility

• Important power to grow from a good to a great leader.  

Dr. Dalal’s sole mission is to enhance the value of human potential and optimize the performance of leaders, individuals, and organizations through his many innovations like Sensei Leadership™, Pinnacle Performance Zone™, iLean® Technology, and True Lean™.

He has trained over 9,500 professionals and has led more than 350 transformations in over 100 corporations across the globe. His efforts have won him global recognition and he has been honored with prestigious awards, including the Achievers of Asia Africa, Most Inspiring Thought Leader, Global Award for Quality & Leadership, and several Teaching Excellence awards.   

Where does he find the inspiration to reinvent himself in an industry that is constantly changing? “I have been influenced by many great leaders. Walt Disney for innovation, Nelson Mandela for forgiveness, Mother Teresa for selflessness, and others. One of the leaders I worked with, an ex-president of a leading global medical company, Lonny Carpenter, is a great mentor and friend and has influenced my approach to inspiring teams to go beyond their perceived limitations and achieve results beyond their expectations. I believe one can learn from everyone; sometimes we learn ‘what to emulate’, and sometimes, ‘what not to imitate’. More importantly, one must put that learning into action by doing our bit for the planet. Someone needs to come up with solutions to reduce the risks to our planet, and I hope to be one of the champions for that mission.”

Catapulted to the top in global and transformational leadership, how does Dr. Dalal stay ahead in the rat race? “Even if you win the rat race, you’ll still be a rat. There are no winners. Collective winning is true victory,” he surmises with wisdom.