Suparna Kapoor- Building “Leadership Quotient” in the AI Age
Our team spoke to Founder of LQ, Suparna Kapoor recently. Here are the excerpts from the interview:-
1 Background and Inspiration
Can you share with us the journey that led to the founding of LQ? What inspired you to venture into the field of training and consulting?
Suparna- I started my career as a young engineer in Telecom production in a small town of UP, freshly out of IIT. Over the past three decades, it has taken many twists and turns finally landing me into a Corporate HR role. I have worked in two large PSUs in the space of Telecom and Aerospace, in various locations across states and multiple projects. Among the multiple organizational roles — Engineer, Project Manager, Business Development, Learning and Development, I have always managed to deliver in critical projects due to my ability to quickly learn, lead and follow, and manage diverse stakeholders. And just to put it in context many of these projects were directly or indirectly related to national security as a large part of my career has been associated with Defense forces.
The significant role that transformed me the most was the 12 year long stint at the HAL Management Academy at Bangalore. I remember that it was sometime during the third year at the Academy that I realized that this is what I am passionate about — learning, sharing, empowering and impacting people and in the process developing leaders and influencing organizational change. During my stint at the Academy, I designed and delivered more than 300 workshops/sessions for 10,000 executives, from entry level to the C-suite. And these numbers have grown and reached beyond HAL to other Public and Private institutions.
This profound passion and commitment towards empowering and unleashing human potential became so compelling, it was almost like a “calling”. So, I bid farewell to my leadership role at HAL in search of a journey to answer this “calling”. This laid the foundation for LQ — a training and consulting company and a hub for holistic development. Meeting and interacting with a variety of entrepreneurs during the Chevening Fellowship at University of Oxford , UK was also a big trigger for me to make this shift and starting my own entrepreneurial journey with LQ. One of the fellows always used to say “If not now, then when?” So I seized the moment, for tomorrow is never promised.
2 Leadership and Vision
As the Founder and CEO, what is your long-term vision for LQ? How do you see the company evolving in the next five to ten years?
Suparna- LQ is where learning, leadership and Life come together to create transformation for individuals and organizations. My long-term vision for LQ Training & Consulting is to empower individuals and organizations by enhancing knowledge, strengthening leadership, and promoting a flourishing life. The aim is to impact 50,000 individuals in the next 5 years.
Moving forward, a key focus will be on designing unique, integrated offerings for students entering the workforce and women leaders. As I pursue my Ph.D. at XLRI Jamshedpur in Organizational Behaviour, I aim to incorporate cutting-edge research into our practical applications, ensuring the programs remain future fluent and impactful.
Over the next five years, I envision expanding our services across various sectors and organizations. We will leverage technology, including AI, to provide virtual and hybrid training models, and form partnerships to enhance our offerings. The focus will remain on continuous innovation in training methodologies and expanding impact on leadership development and organizational growth. Ultimately, the core mission of LQ will continue to center on unlocking human potential and fostering individual and organizational flourishing.
3 Challenges and Achievements
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your long career and how did you overcome them? Can you also share some of the most significant achievements to date?
Suparna- Throughout my career, I have faced several significant challenges, especially since in the early 90s, the number of women engineers in manufacturing was very few, necessitating countering many biases and stereotypes. Early on, working in remote defense locations, such as army bases and telecom stations, required adapting to harsh environments, including working late into the night without basic hygiene facilities. Travel was difficult, yet maintaining crucial communication networks was paramount, especially during high-stakes situations like Y2K and the Kargil war. Despite these challenges, I managed teams across border areas to ensure seamless network operations. Another challenge was managing a unionized workforce in manufacturing setups, and this I had to do in multiple occasions. And all this requires resilience, flexibility, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to the core organizational purpose — national security.
One of the most significant challenges was shifting from engineering and project management to learning and development (L&D), behavioral training, and organizational development. This transition required a complete shift in mindset and the acquisition of entirely new competencies, essentially starting from scratch. However, the transformation that occurred both professionally and personally was profound, exceeding my expectations. The connections and networks I developed during this period and good will that I earned are among my most valued achievements.
A recent internal challenge was the decision of leaving a stable and steady income job with an amazing organization like HAL to charter my own course in life. Embracing the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and creating an organization of one’s own threw up a whole lot of external challenges. The past accomplishments helped secure initial projects, but continuous effort is needed to grow an organization and build a brand. The journey of entrepreneurship is both challenging and exciting, necessitating continuous innovation and dedication to the core purpose on one side and to the customers (present and prospective) on the other side. These lines from Rober Frost’s very famous poem truly resonate with me “But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep”
4 Aspiring Independent Director Role
As an aspiring independent director, what skills and experiences do you bring to the table that you believe will add value to the boards you aspire to join?
Suparna- My background includes leading critical projects in telecom and aerospace, managing diverse teams, and contributing to national security initiatives. With a versatile skill set in Engineering, Project Management, Marketing, Learning and Development, and HR I have an understanding of Technology, People, Strategy and Operations and its impact on Business outcomes, especially in the Aerospace sector. In addition, I constantly equip myself with knowledge related to Financial Management, Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, Ethics and more. The IICA Independent Director certificate is a proof of the commitment to contribute as an effective board member.
Additionally, on the people side I bring a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, organizational development, and human capital management. This diverse experience, combined with my passion and expertise in Training, L & D Consulting, Academics equips me with the skills to provide valuable insights and guidance to a wide variety of boards , including Academic institutions. Few of my unique attributes are Learning Agility, Visionary Thinking, Influencing Ability, Persistence, Courage, Empathy and Integrity.
5 Trends in Training and Consulting
From your perspective, what are the most pressing trends and challenges currently facing the training and consulting industry? How is LQ Training & Consulting positioned to address these trends and challenges?
Suparna- The training and consulting industry is currently facing several pressing trends and challenges:
Personalization: There is a growing demand for personalized learning experiences that cater to individual and organizational needs. LQ addresses this by providing bespoke training programs tailored to specific industries and client requirements.
Leadership Development: As organizations recognize the importance of effective leadership, there is an increasing focus on developing strong, visionary leaders. LQ’s comprehensive leadership development programs cultivate essential skills for senior management, women in leadership, and emerging leaders.
Workforce Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace is crucial for modern organizations. LQ offers specialized programs to support aspiring leaders, particularly women and underrepresented groups, fostering a more inclusive leadership landscape.
Mental Health and Well-being: The emphasis on employee well-being has grown significantly. LQ integrates life and happiness coaching into their offerings, enhancing personal development and well-being for individuals and teams.
Digital Transformation: The rapid adoption of digital technologies requires continuous upskilling and adaptation to new tools and platforms. LQ leverages technology to offer virtual and hybrid training models, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for clients.
By addressing these trends and challenges, LQ is well-positioned to provide innovative, research-based solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients in today’s every changing business environment and contribute to their long-term success.
— — — — — — — -
Brief Profile
Suparna Kapoor is Founder and CEO, LQ- a Training & Consulting firm based in Bengaluru, India. She is also an IIT alumnus, Chevening Fellow, University of Oxford and an IICA Certified Independent Director. To know more, visit https://lqkrafters.com/
