Step into the world of renaissance leadership with Nadir Godrej, Chairman of Godrej Industries, as he weaves together business acumen, scientific thinking, and poetic wisdom in this captivating Qunba conversation. Drawing from a 120-year family legacy spanning four generations, Godrej reveals how trust, innovation, and customer-centricity remain the bedrock values that have sustained one of […]
Read More… from Freedom to Achieve: Nadir Godrej on Leading Without Controlling | Qunba
Join us for an illuminating conversation with R. Gopalakrishnan, former Executive Director of Tata Sons and Vice Chairman of Hindustan Lever, as he distills 55 years of corporate wisdom into actionable leadership insights. With remarkable candor, Gopalakrishnan reveals why hiring for attitude trumps skill, why Indian managers have a unique edge on the global stage, […]
Read More… from The Four A’s: R. Gopalakrishnan’s Career Evolution Framework | Qunba
Join us for a profound conversation with Mohandas Pai, former Infosys CFO and tech investment pioneer, as he delivers a masterclass in authentic leadership forged through decades at the forefront of India’s technology revolution. With remarkable candor, Pai dismantles leadership myths, insisting that true leaders must “lead from the front” and never ask others to do what they wouldn’t do themselves. […]
Read More… from From CFO to Visionary: Mohandas Pai on Building India’s Tech Legacy | Qunba
Join us for a riveting conversation with Ravi Venkatesan, former Microsoft India Chairman, business leader and author, as he shares profound insights from his decades of leadership experience. With remarkable candour, Ravi dismantles conventional leadership myths, revealing that true leadership has nothing to do with titles but everything to do with behaviour and impact. From his time at Microsoft and Bank of Baroda to navigating the “perfect storm” at Infosys, Ravi offers a masterclass in authentic leadership through crisis and transformation. […]
Read More… from From Microsoft to Meaning: Ravi Venkatesan’s Leadership Journey
Join us for an exclusive and revealing interview with renowned business leader Aditya Ghosh as he takes us on a journey through the triumphs and challenges that shaped his extraordinary leadership philosophy. With remarkable candor, he demolishes conventional wisdom like “fake it till you make it,” replacing it with powerful insights on authentic leadership that […]
Read More… from Never ‘Fake It Till You Make It’: Aditya Ghosh’s Authentic Leadership Pat
Deep Kalra, Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip, reveals the untold story behind India’s first major tech success story. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Deep shares the brutal leadership lessons that transformed a struggling startup during the dot-com crash into a billion-dollar empire. From nearly selling the entire company for just $7.5 million to weathering […]
Read More… from Leadership Lessons from Deep Kalra: Building a Travel Empire
What makes a great leader? Is leadership about commanding authority, or is it about inspiring others through action? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s No. 1 executive coach and a leadership mentor to Fortune 500 CEOs. With decades of experience coaching some of the biggest names in business—Alan Mulally […]
Read More… from Marshall Goldsmith: The Ultimate Leadership Playbook – Influence, Humility & Legacy
From leading Bharti Airtel across 20 countries to steering multi-billion-dollar investments at SoftBank, Manoj Kohli’s leadership journey is one of resilience, adaptability, and deep-rooted values. In this insightful conversation, Manoj reveals how he managed to balance leading diverse teams across the globe while staying grounded in his core beliefs. […]
In part two of this profound conversation, Sanjiv Bikhchandani, founder of Info Edge (Naukri.com), shares his journey from teaching at business schools on weekends to building a billion-dollar company. He reveals why he turned down a $2 million investment offer, how he kept his entire team during COVID without layoffs, and the unconventional leadership principles that guided his 25-year journey to success. […]
Read More… from How I Built Naukri.com Into India’s Job Giant | Sanjeev Bikhchandani
In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Manisha Girotra, one of India’s most powerful investment bankers, opens up about her journey from being dismissed in meeting rooms to orchestrating billion-dollar deals and building UBS and Moelis in India from scratch. Watch as she breaks down the myths of being a perfect working mom, the untold stories of leadership, and shares how her father’s rickety jeep in the Himalayas taught her the most valuable lesson in leadership. […]
Read More… from From Being Ignored in Meetings to Running a Banking Empire | Manisha Girotra
His entrepreneurial journey is marked by pivotal moments of truth, tough decisions, and mindset shifts that reshaped his leadership approach. You’ll discover how embracing honest feedback, tough love, and a sharp focus on execution can transform leadership. Rajesh shares how a financial ultimatum sparked a turnaround, the mindset shift that shaped his leadership, and the bold belief that if you’re going to fail, fail big—aiming to solve meaningful problems and leave an extraordinary impact.. […]
Read More… from From Serial Failures to $115M Exit: Rajesh Jain Unleashes His Secrets | Part 2
In this candid conversation, tech entrepreneur Rajesh Jain—founder of Netcore and author of Startup to Proficorn—reveals his unique take on building profitable ventures instead of chasing unicorn valuations. He shares how he pivoted multiple times before discovering a winning formula and why he believes a company cannot function as a democracy. From fostering healthy internal dissent to taking out ‘me-time,’ Rajesh outlines clear strategies to help businesses thrive in times of crisis. […]
Read More… from Why This Founder Says ‘Business Is NOT a Democracy’ | Rajesh Jain | Founder, Netcor
Ashish Dhawan’s journey from private equity to philanthropy exemplifies bold leadership rooted in purpose. Raised in Kolkata, he pursued higher education in the United States, earning a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. […]
Srikanth Velamakanni never imagined that he would one day be the founder of Fractal Analytics, an AI firm with around 5000 employees. Coming from a modest background, his father often told him that all businessmen were corrupt and that, as a middle-class Indian, he would never have the capital to start a company. But life had other plans. […]
Known for her bold personality on TV sets and her business acumen in the boardroom, Namita Thapar minces no words when she says she is the ‘Ma’ in ‘Pharma’. Being the daughter of an established and reputed businessman, Thapar has always had business blood running through her veins. […]
Say the name Zia Mody in any circle let alone the ones in courtrooms and boardrooms and you feel the room take notice. Such is her stature that a mere mention of her name commands respect. Zia Mody is undoubtedly and undeniably one of the most prominent names in Indian law. […]
It is not often you come across leaders who have spent their entire professional career in the same organisation. Rajnish Kumar is part of that rare list. Having started out at the very bottom of the food chain, Kumar spent 4 decades at India’s largest bank, SBI to end at the very top. […]
Talk about mutual funds and it is impossible the name Nilesh Shah doesn’t feature in some form or fashion. One of India’s biggest fund managers, Nilesh Shah is perhaps the epitome of the phrase, “from rags to riches”. From barely getting by in the “chawls” of Mumbai to millions in financial assets, Nilesh Shah has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. […]
As far as corporate turnarounds go, there are few better leaders than Amitabh Chaudhry.
Now into his fifth year as the top boss at Axis Bank and with another 3 more to come, the transformation is visible for all to see. Axis Bank has consolidated its position as India’s third-largest private sector bank and has set its sights on the number 2 spot. The bank’s $1.64-billion buyout of Citi’s consumer business in India was a big feather in his already impressive hat. […]
A fund manager with an ethos. A wealth creator hellbent on making India stand out as a beacon of prosperity in the world. Navneet Munot has his roots firmly planted in the heart of India. From humble beginnings in Beawar, he has cemented himself as a formidable player in the world of financial investment. […]
Starting out in the field of veterinary sciences, he decided to change track and enter the world of management. Armed with a MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a degree from Harvard Business School, ‘Om’ as he is fondly called, started off at HUL in 1990. After 10 years in FMCG, he spent time at Monsanto as the head of Sales and Marketing, where his team successfully launched the company’s first ever biotech product, Bt-Cotton. Next up for Om was Ranbaxy where he led the International & Innovation group of the Consumer Healthcare division. […]
Naina Lal Kidwai comes as close to a real life Captain Marvel as any leader possibly can. A pioneer of numerous firsts. She was the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School, the first woman to be hired by PriceWaterhouse in India, the first woman to lead a foreign bank in India with HSBC and the first woman president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. […]
Currently serving as the Vice-Chairman of Asian Paints Limited, Mr. Choksi has played a pivotal role in Asian Paints’ growth story, spearheading the company’s ventures into Home Improvement and Décor businesses. He’s been instrumental in implementing cutting-edge Supply Chain Management and IT solutions, ensuring the seamless operation of the extended value chain. […]
Recognized by Time Magazine and Esquire as one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, Ronnie Screwvala is a first-generation entrepreneur, investor, and film producer. His first foray was Cable TV, where he went beyond the single channel and provided consumers with a choice by setting up a local cable TV network. Later, in 1990, he co-founded UTV Software Communications, venturing into film production and children’s TV. The company later partnered with Rupert Murdoch’s Star Group, propelling UTV into a media powerhouse before its eventual acquisition by Disney. […]
Stepping into the fray with capital comprising his savings, a loan against his house, and contributions from the co-founder, Rashesh Shah has taken Edelweiss from a team of four to the legacy institution it stands as today. […]
Harsh Mariwala, the architect behind the ascent of Marico, is known for revolutionizing India’s consumer goods industry. Branching out from his family-owned business, he founded Marico in 1990, where he pioneered innovation with the iconic cylindrical bottle for Parachute Oil. Over the years, he has successfully charted a takeover attempt and established 18+ brands under Marico. His influence extends to Kaya Ltd, Thermax, and Zensar. Committed to social impact, he established the Mariwala Health Initiative and the Marico Innovation Foundation. Named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in India for 2020, his leadership and philanthropy continue to inspire. […]
Read More… from Leading with Ingenuity | Harsh Mariwala, Chairman, Marico Ltd. | Episode 10 | Qunba
Rajan Anandan, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and angel investor, brings extensive experience to the startup ecosystem. With degrees from MIT and Stanford, he became a global partner at McKinsey & Co. before joining Dell Inc.’s leadership team. […]
Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, is an FMCG veteran with over three decades of global experience. He is known for contributing to Nestlé’s continued prominence in the Indian market, notably his excellent crisis management during Nestle’s Maggi crisis and its triumphant return. Before India, he helped steer Nestlé’s business in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore. Awarded “Best Business CEO” of FMCG by Business Today in 2023, his influential leadership extends to Asian Paints as an Independent Director. […]
Read More… from Leading by Example | Suresh Narayanan, CMD, Nestlé India Ltd. | Episode 8 | Qunba
Ameera Shah, a force in India’s healthcare industry, is known for revolutionising a modest, family-run diagnostics lab into Metropolis Healthcare, as we know it today. She was pivotal in advising the government on its response plan to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognised amongst Fortune India’s ‘Fifty Most Powerful Women in Business,’ she currently serves as the VP of NatHealth (Healthcare Federation of India) and continues to extend her influence to boards at Torrent Pharma and ACC, a part of Adani Cement. […]
Read More… from Leading with Humanity | Ameera Shah, MD, Metropolis Healthcare | Episode 7 | Qunba
Sanjay Nayar, a seasoned investor and dealmaker with a three-decade career in global financial markets, served as the CEO of Citigroup’s Indian and South Asian operations for 25 years. In 2009, he founded KKR India, leading investments exceeding $14 billion in the Asia-Pacific region. As a founding partner of Sorin Investments and a Non-Executive Director at Nykaa, he is an influential presence in the Indian business landscape. Nayar’s illustrious career reflects strategic vision, financial acumen, and leadership prowess. […]
Currently serving as the Operating Partner at Advent International, Shiv Shivakumar’s journey is one of excellence, experience and transformative impact. At Nokia, he was instrumental in the telecom revolution of India. He was also the force behind building PepsiCo’s nutrition portfolio under the Quaker and Tropicana brands. A celebrated leader, he was awarded the Indian Business Leader of the Year in 2019 and the AAMO Asian Leadership Award in 2020. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he is an accomplished writer, educator and sports enthusiast. […]
Join us weekly for insightful conversations with the titans of Indian leadership! Let’s build a library of leadership learnings and vocabulary to empower the leaders of tomorrow! […]
A financial service virtuoso, Ranu Vohra boasts a three-decade entrepreneurial journey marked by transformative deals. Co-founder of India’s most revered investment bank, he is a market leader in capital raising for the new age entrepreneurs and wealth creators. An IIT Delhi and FMS alumnus , he co-founded Cool Startups in 1999, connecting businesses with investors which eventually evolved into the renowned Avendus Capital. Beyond that, he currently serves as an Independent Director on the board of Mahindra Logistics and as the President of TiE Mumbai, continuing to shape the financial services industry with his vision and deal-making prowess. […]
🎙️Join us weekly for insightful conversations with the titans of Indian leadership! Let’s build a library of leadership learnings and vocabulary to empower the leaders of tomorrow! 💡 […]
A fixture in the field of finance, Bobby Parikh is renowned for his astute insights and strategic acumen. With a distinguished career marked by top leadership at EY India and Arthur Andersen, his expertise spans international business development, tax counsel, and M&A. Co-founder at BMR Advisors and subsequently Bobby Parikh Associates, he specializes in strategic tax and regulatory advisory services. Beyond his consulting role, he actively collaborates with regulators and policymakers, contributing insights to shape new regulations and policies. […]
Read More… from Making Ordinary Extraordinary | Bobby Parikh, Ex-CEO, EY India | Episode 3 | Qunba
🎙️Join us weekly for insightful conversations with the titans of Indian leadership! Let’s build a library of leadership learnings and vocabulary to empower the leaders of tomorrow! 💡 […]
As CP Gurnani bids farewell to his illustrious career, we acknowledge the legacy of his transformative leadership. Renowned for steering Tech Mahindra through a historic turnaround with the acquisition of Satyam, his 40+ year journey encompasses pivotal roles in Hewlett Packard, Perot Systems, and HCL Corporation. His accolades include Forbes ‘Best CEO of the Year,’ E&Y ‘Entrepreneur of the Year,’ and CNBC Asia ‘India Business Leader of the Year,’ and more. Beyond the boardroom, he chaired NASSCOM and, along with his wife Anita, founded ‘Titliyan,’ an NGO providing education to underprivileged children. A journey of impact and inspiration, Mr. Gurnani leaves an indelible legacy. […]
Kalpana Morparia, a trailblazer in Indian banking, began her impactful journey at ICICI in 1975. Rising through the ranks, she played a key role in the merger of ICICI Ltd. with ICICI Bank, a landmark move in India’s financial landscape. Former CEO at JP Morgan & Co, she now serves as an Independent Director on the board several leading Indian Companies. Recognized amongst the ’50 Most Powerful Women in International Business,’ her attributes of resilience, strategic acumen, and philanthropic commitment underscore her as a distinguished leader in the global financial arena. […]