Leadership Lessons: Insights from India's Top CEOs on Navigating Uncertainty
Top executives share their strategies for leading through challenging times and building resilient organizations.
In a special roundtable discussion, some of India's most successful CEOs shared their approaches to leadership in an era of constant change and uncertainty.
The consensus among participants was clear: traditional command-and-control leadership models are no longer effective. Today's leaders must be adaptable, empathetic, and willing to embrace ambiguity.
Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran emphasized the importance of purpose: "When your team understands the 'why' behind their work, they can navigate uncertainty without constant direction. Purpose provides the compass."
Other participants highlighted the need for transparent communication, especially during difficult times. "Your people can handle bad news," noted one CEO. "What they can't handle is being kept in the dark."
The discussion also touched on the importance of mental health and work-life balance. Leaders acknowledged that the pandemic permanently changed expectations around workplace flexibility and employee wellbeing.
