Madan Bahal at 70: A great leader and diplomat of PR world

Business is about who you know and the relationships you build. I first met Madan Bahal 21 years ago in Berlin, Germany, in 2005. We were both attending the annual Global Summit of PROI Worldwide, a global, and the world’s largest, partnership of independent agencies established in 1970. As co-founder of Adfactors, one of India’s leading agency brands which had been selected as a PROI agency in India in 2004, Madan was there to meet his new partners, other owners of iconic, independent agencies.

I immediately recognized that Madan didn’t fit the typical image of a PR agency owner.  With significant investments in the communications industry, he was a businessman first and foremost.  He was also a “thinker” and, as I discovered, a calming presence in any room.  He quickly rose to become a Global Vice-Chairman and leader within PROI when owners of other agencies in the Asia-Pacific region asked him to represent their agencies on the Global Management Board. He held this position for many years.

To identify a leader, I look for several key qualities.  Do they understand and connect their past to the present and future? Madan does, and he’s not afraid to share his background. He’s proud of his roots, which others often attribute to his humility and humbleness.

Another key quality of a leader is their ability to listen and only speak when they have a well-thought-out contribution to make.  Having shared many rooms with Madan, I’ve observed him listening to everyone and only speaking when his opinions mattered, often influencing the room.  So, when Madan speaks, I listen.  Over the years, it became clear that his listening skills also form the foundation of his relationship with his staff. 

Finally, I assess whether a leader supports the next generation. Madan does. He provides training opportunities for his agency’s staff and, most importantly, he recognizes and encourages them to develop their leadership qualities. I was delighted when he accepted to join me as a Governor and Trustee of the Future Communicators Foundation (FCF). His generosity with his time and resources led to a partnership between Adfactors and the Future Communicators Foundation, resulting in the establishment of the now-popular annual ADFACTORS-FCF Scholarship in India.

Madan continues to leave an indelible mark on India’s business environment, its future through its youth, and the international business community. I am so glad to know him and look forward to working with him for years to come.

Congratulations, Madan and your wife Dolly, on your 70th birthday! We hope many more to come. You are a great leader and a diplomat of the PR world.