The Review (in) Sight (Book by Venkat Changavalli): Enabler for Execution Excellence : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 The Review (in) Sight: by Venkat Changavalli 

Enabler for Execution Excellence

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

(September 25, 2025)

On Vishravasu Nama Ugadi (March 30, 2025), I had the privilege of attending the memorable Book Release Function, organized at Holistic Hospitals (Nizampet) and sharing the platform with dignitaries of the caliber of former AP Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam, former CEO Satyam Computers AS Murthy, and Holistic Hospitals Chairpersons Mrs (Dr Tushara) and Dr VS Ramachandra. It was an extraordinary book, perhaps the first of its kind titled, ‘THE REVIEW (IN) SIGHT’ as an Enabler for Execution Excellence. The concept itself is enthralling, making me curiously turn the pages then and there on the dais.

As the Special Guest, I also had the opportunity to speak a few words about my erstwhile boss, more an affectionate mentor and facilitator, than just a senior colleague, Venkat Changavalli. When Venkat was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EMRI (Emergency Management and Research Institute), popularly known globally as 108-Ambulance Services, I was heading the Public Private Partnership part of it. When I was asked to contribute a write-up on my experience about Venkat’s invaluable reviews, to supplement the contents, I did not realize that, I would be honored in such a stimulating and munificent manner by its inclusion in this Book.

The Book ‘THE REVIEW (IN) SIGHT’ in addition to customary preceding pages containing Endorsements from a cross section of High-Profile Professionals, like KG Anandakrishnan, Anuj Gulati, Mahesh Bala Subramanian, Sanjeev Mantri, TV Rao, Dr Tapan Singhel, Mayank Bathwal, Dr Sangita Reddy, and Sudarshan Jain has two interesting pages of Acknowledgements and Prologue by Author Venkat Changavalli.

Venkat began his salutations with the Ubhaya Gurus of Sringeri for their blessings, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Anup, Dr YS Rajashekhar Reddy, Narendra Modi, Chandrababu Naidu, and Akhilesh Yadav, who at different points encouraged him in significant ways. He also thanked his colleagues for providing detailed experiences of his review meetings and expressed gratefulness to Pratyusha and Vinod Achanta, his parents, wife Padma, and family members for their guidance and encouragement.

The prologue is both inspirational and motivating. He revealed his 30 years of experience as CEO and Advisor across several organizations, having the privilege of being reviewed and reviewing. According to Venkat, among the tools available to leaders, review meetings are indispensable checkpoints to assess execution, evaluate progress, and align teams toward organizational goals. Recognizing this, Venkat Changavalli felt compelled to document his experiences as a guide for the next generation of leaders. The result is this invaluable book.

The broad conceptual framework in his well-articulated prologue, meticulously listed the skills that significantly influence effective reviews, such as, managerial, life, leadership, are documented in an experienced manner for the benefit of posterity. He also highlights essential habits like listening, note-taking, objective observation, learning-unlearning-relearning, time management, and presentation skills among others. In his humility, Venkat says: ‘this book aspires to be a practical guide and reference for senior executives, aspiring leaders, and top management.’ Well, I cannot agree more.

The Book has Ten Chapters followed by the Epilogue with ‘Reflections from Leaders who experienced Venkat’s Review Process’ and the Closing Reflections.  In the 1^st Chapter, ‘The importance of Execution’ Venkat writes that in the corporate world execution is the ultimate litmus test for leadership success and that well-structured review meetings are cornerstones for driving execution. In the 2^nd Chapter ‘Essential Qualities of the Best Reviewer’ author in the framework of his experience ascertains that, ‘a great reviewer is not merely a critic but a catalyst for growth, innovation, and execution.’ He identified ten essential qualities that distinguish the best reviewers, including Agility, Inquisitiveness, fairness, humor, focus, humility among others.

3^rd Chapter is ‘Managerial Skills required for an Effective Reviewer.’  It speaks about mastering a range of foundational skills that drive success within an organization, such as consultation, decision making, providing feedback, negotiation etc. Chapter 4 is on ‘Life Skills Required for an Effective Reviewer’ to enhance decision-making, foster collaboration, and build trust. They are: values, attitude, self-confidence, art of stress, time, anger, and conflict management besides excellent communication skills. In Chapter 5, ‘Leadership Skills required for an Effective Reviewer’ Venkat underscores the importance of possessing leadership qualities that go beyond operational efficiency to include vision, innovation, and emotional intelligence to the effective reviewer. These include visioning, innovation, team building, coaching, collaboration, emotional intelligence, leading change, and motivation.

In Chapter 6, ‘How Leadership Styles influence Review Mechanism’ the author in the beginning itself, summaries that, different styles of leadership influence how teams are motivated, how feedback is delivered, and how objectives are achieved. According to him these style include, coaching, authoritative, coercive, affiliative, democratic, and pacesetting. Chapter 7 is ‘How to Conduct Effective Review meetings’ which lists the steps to conduct review meetings that are both impactful and engaging. They are, before, during and after the meeting, such as, defining purpose, preparing agenda, selecting participants, documenting minutes etc.

Chapter 8 is all about author’s ‘Experience of reviewing business performance as CEO of four reputed organizations’ including EMRI. Chapter 9 speaks about Venkat’s ‘Experience of getting reviewed by his leaders’ of the same organizations, including the then founder Chairman of EMRI B Ramalinga Raju. Chapter 10, the last Chapter is about Venkat’s rich ‘Experience of getting reviewed by CMs as also by most dynamic and influential leaders in Indian politics.’ They included Dr YS Rajashekhar Reddy (United AP CM), Narendra Modi (Gujarat CM), Chandrababu Naidu (AP CM), Akhilesh Yadav (UP CM) etc. He modestly concludes that, being reviewed by them was an incredible and rich learning experience.

Former EMRItes Anil Jampala, Bhavani Shankar, Jagan Mohan Achary, and I contributed our views in the Epilogue Chapter titled, ‘Reflections from Leaders who experienced Venkat’s Review Process.’ As the closing reflections mention: ‘Venkat Changavalli’s review meetings are a testament to structured leadership, strategic execution, and transformative engagement. His unique blend of rigor, clarity, and humor ensures that teams remain engaged, objectives are met, and performance is continuously enhanced.’

Having worked with a Governor and two Chief Ministers for nearly 15 years, and attended many meetings chaired by them, I experienced the importance of ‘Review Meetings.’ Unquestionably, every ‘Organizational Review Meeting’ serves as a ‘Critical Pillar’ in the smooth functioning and development of an organization. This is especially true for unique ‘Non-Profit Organization’ like the 108 Emergency Response Services. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of the person conducting the ‘Review Meeting’ the true difference. Venkat Changavalli as CEO of ‘Emergency Management Response Service (EMRI),’ with his unparalleled review meetings, embossed the hallmark of EMRI’s growth trajectory. His review meetings always operated in a high-stakes environment. I experienced them personally.

Having associated with Venkat in almost all his review meetings, I can affirm they ensured every aspect of the service, from financial support to operational efficiency, and remained aligned with goals set by promoter B Ramalinga Raju and the then AP Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy.

Venkat Changavalli’s The Review (In) Sight: Enabler for Execution Excellence, is not just a chronicle of his journey but a timeless compass for future leaders. By bridging lived experiences with structured learning, the book demonstrates how reviews can transform execution into excellence. Looking back, it validates the author’s own leadership path; looking forward, it offers organizations a framework for growth. The message is clear: when reviews are purposeful and humane, they become catalysts for enduring progress.

Venkat, born on September 25, 1953, is currently CEO of Insurance Information Bureau of India. He studied in Vijayawada Loyola College, Warangal National Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Wharton, Harvard, London Business, and Columbia Business Schools. His vast experience absorbing Leadership Lessons, spans finance, planning, and marketing, with deep expertise that elevated every organization he worked with. This book, ‘THE REVIEW (IN) SIGHT’ reflects that rich experience on reviews. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU VENKAT CHANGAVALLI SIR)