Companies are a lot like kingdoms and empires that see the ebbs and flows of fortune. Yet, there are a few that stand the test of time, braving storms and upheavals and remaining resilient and relevant in the face of transformation. What makes these companies stand out from the crowd? What makes them supremely profitable, successful and an inspiration etched in our minds? The secret lies in leadership. Great leaders create a momentum of action, instil values and lead through a strong vision ensuring everyone including investors, employees, consumers and stakeholders share the passion and commitment to make the dream work. As a leader myself, I have closely observed the top 5 business leaders of India who have changed the face of business globally. I admire them for several reasons and specifically for their style of leadership.
1. Ratan Tata – Grace and poise are synonymous with Ratan Tata. Classy and well-read, he is a true visionary who first saw the potential of taking his company global. Today, Tata Group is a force to reckon with worldwide and half of the company’s revenues come from overseas, all thanks to his perseverance. Ratan Tata has a paternal instinct about his leadership where he cares for men like family. For him, employee welfare and well-being are intrinsic to company growth. He is humble and principled, a risk-taker whose salt and pepper hair has stories to tell of great adventures, tough decision-making and endearing corporate experiences.
2. Mukesh Ambani – Opportunistic - this is the greatest value that sets Mukesh Ambani apart from all his contemporaries. Being given a strong platform in terms of inheritance he has invested time, energy and effort in all the right places making Reliance a household name in record time. A unique leader who is driven by results Mukesh Ambani is futuristic, predictive and highly adaptable. His business acumen is hard to beat and can effortlessly sense potential opportunity and threat early on. This coupled with quick decision making has helped him resolve obstacles and generate results at a commendable pace.
3. Gautam Adani – Ambition is a powerful tool in leadership. The drive to do something topped with the ability to think smart and hard work has been instrumental in the meteoric rise of Adani Group. A self-made man, Gautam Adani is blessed with tough negotiation and convincing skills. His autocratic decision making and self-belief have made him a global leader in the infrastructure business in major industry verticals such as – resources, energy, agro and logistics. He is a glaring example that education has nothing to do with knowledge and that often having the right attitude is enough to reach the desired altitude in life.
4. Azim Premji – A man known for his values as much as his innovation is Chairman of Wipro, Azim Premji. Taking the company from soap manufacturing to one of the leading software manufacturing enterprises of the country, his leadership walks the talk of dynamism and drive for excellence. Optimism, excellence, ethics and commitment there are the four pillars on which Premji’s leadership rests. His quiet and thoughtful demeanour has made him a case study in every B-school and corporate training.
5. Anand Mahindra – Empowerment and Empathy – these are the golden leadership rules that the CEO of Mahindra, Anand Mahindra abides with. The man who has changed the face of the automobile industry believes that innovation and technology advancement happens in a progressive environment where people are sanctioned authority to make decisions. It is up to the leader to trust his people and create an ethos of collaboration and contribution to reach the pinnacle of success. This outlook has resulted in ensuring his venture is one of the few Indian multinational conglomerates with a presence in over 100 countries.