Podcasts

In this episode of Qunba, we sit down with Captain Raghu Raman, a leader who has traversed the most extreme landscapes of Indian service – from the icy heights of Siachen to the high-stakes boardrooms of Reliance Industries and the corridors of the Home Ministry. Starting his journey amidst the turmoil of the 1984 riots, Captain Raman shares his evolution from a young officer in the Indian Army to the founding CEO of NATGRID and Group President at Reliance. He opens up about being ranked 313th in his academy batch, the brutal reality of leadership in sub-zero temperatures, and the pivotal “CT scan” of his career under Anand Mahindra that reshaped his entire approach to corporate culture.

This conversation goes beyond standard management theories to explore the “Goldfish Bowl” of leadership – where authenticity is the only currency that matters. Captain Raman breaks down his unique “Jigsaw vs. Tile” team-building philosophy, explains why vulnerability is a strength in battle-hardened soldiers, and discusses the nuances of navigating power in bureaucracy versus the private sector. Whether you are managing a startup or a legacy organization, his insights on “bestowing power” and the transition from command-and-control to influence will change how you view authority.