Unleashed Conversations with Srinivas Uppaluri

In this episode of Unleashed, the conversation moves beyond chasing titles to a more meaningful idea—building conviction to shape markets and create impact.Divya Momaya and Neha Shah, founders of MentorMyBoard, share how gaps in governance, compliance, and board readiness inspired them to build a platform focused on better directors, stronger boards, and more effective organizations. Their journey reflects the realities of building from scratch—navigating resistance, rebuilding platforms, investing personal capital, and earning credibility over time.Alongside, Guru Sowle reflects on building cross-border ecosystems—connecting networks, enabling collaboration, and translating ideas into influence across markets.At its core, this episode explores:Building faith in your own path despite uncertaintyCreating credibility before recognition followsStaying committed to ideas that others don’t yet see

In this episode of Unleashed, we explore why so many professionals chase titles and recognition instead of building passion, impact, and self-confidence. We draw on stories of a young employee devastated by a missed promotion and a leader driven by family expectations. Our guests, Khurshed Batliwala, Rishikesha Krishnan, Debu Mishra, and Guru Sowle, discuss how societal pressure, especially in India, creates a fear of failure and low tolerance for mistakes. They also discuss how companies in India add organizational layers to meet the demand for frequent promotions. The conversation emphasizes giving yourself space to fail, focusing on contribution over labels, building personal credibility beyond brand names, and using meditation and yoga to strengthen self-belief, manage anxiety, and unlock full potential.

In this episode of Unleashed, we explore how multi-generation family businesses are successfully integrating professionals to scale their operations. Featuring insights from Rishikesha Krishnan, Sonu Bhasin, Sandeep Maini, Raju Shete, Krishna Shete, Ketan Patel, and Ravi Saxena, the episode delves into the challenges and strategies of grooming professionals, delegation, maintaining family values, and ensuring business growth. Our guests discuss their experiences with leadership transitions, maintaining trust, and building a strong organisational culture. Join us for an in-depth discussion on blending tradition with professional management for sustainable success.

In this episode of Unleashed, we explore the seamless transition of leadership in successful family businesses from one generation to the next. Featuring Sonu Bhasin, a family business historian, alongside Krishna and Arjun Shete of the Planet Group, Ketan Patel of Troikaa Pharmaceuticals, and Sandeep Maini of the Maini Group, we delve into how the older generation facilitates the next-gen to take over and build upon their foundation. You will hear insights on overcoming generational gaps, fostering open communication, and the role of external work experience in preparing inheritors for leadership roles. 

In this episode of Unleashed, we dive into stories of passionate Indian entrepreneurs who have built world-class businesses. Featuring Sandeep Kumar Maini from the Maini Group, Raju Shete from Planet Group, Ketan Patel from Troikaa Pharma, and Ravi Saxena from Wonderchef, the episode explores their journeys, the challenges they faced, and their relentless focus on quality and customer satisfaction. We also discuss how some of these pioneers laid the foundations for long-term success, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Unleashed, we delve into the intricacies of sustainable change management in development sectors. Featuring discussions with Pavan Mamidi, Shiv Kumar, Dr. Y. Lingaraju, we cover a broad range of topics from building aspirations and ensuring adoption to managing multiple stakeholders and institutional ownership. Key insights include the importance of community ownership, addressing structural issues, and maintaining the dignity of the communities involved. Real-world examples, like ensuring HIV vaccinations for sex workers and iron supplements for pregnant women, illustrate the necessity of localized and adaptive solutions for effective change. We discover that trust, empathy, and co-creation are crucial components in the journey from invention to innovation.

In this episode of Unleashed, we delve into the challenges and solutions in the development sector. We discuss stakeholder management, behavioral changes, and the implementation of large-scale projects with extraordinary leaders Dr. Y Lingaraju, Pavan Mamidi, and Shiv Kumar. Learn from their experiences in river rejuvenation projects, grassroots initiatives, and the crucial intersection of academic innovations and governmental practicality. Tune in for insights on how to effectively drive developmental changes with community ownership and stakeholder engagement.

In this episode, I continue our exploration of change management with industry leaders Praveena, Pankaj, and Dan. We delve into how organizations can maximize the potential of new technologies and business models by focusing on two crucial aspects: helping stakeholders understand and embrace the full possibilities of change, and ensuring their active engagement throughout the transformation journey. Through real-world examples and expert insights, we discuss practical approaches to driving sustainable organizational change that delivers lasting value.

Join us in this episode of Unleashed Conversations as we explore the intricacies of change management during digital transformation. I begin with sharing my experiences working with a large manufacturing company to integrate emerging technologies and improve operational efficiency. We talk about key challenges such as stakeholder buy-in, aligning with business objectives, and the necessity of parallel projects. I am joined by Pankaj Rai, Dan Powers, and Praveena Ravanavarapu, who share their expert insights on effective change management frameworks, aligning technology with business strategy, and the importance of comprehensive operational changes. Discover actionable strategies for ensuring that new technologies deliver their full potential.

In this episode, Shashi delves into the essential qualities for transitioning to a CXO role. He explores the importance of mental toughness and emotional intelligence, discussing how candidates need to demonstrate capability at both operational and board levels. Shashi shares real-life examples and insights, emphasizing that being functionally and operationally strong isn't sufficient. Mental and emotional bandwidth are crucial for handling complex issues and managing diverse teams effectively. Tune in to understand the critical traits required for making it to the CXO level.

In this episode, we explore the challenges women face in balancing career, family, and social expectations, and how setting clear intentions can help manage these trade-offs. We also discuss the importance of building a supportive environment that pushes you to pursue your ambitions confidently. Join me in reflecting on the insights shared by Pooja Sharma Goyal on navigating these dynamics, and how women can break past societal limits to achieve their career goals.

In this episode of Unleashed Conversations, we delve into the evolving leadership needs across various sectors. The discussion continues with experts Pooja Sharma Goyal, Srinivas Rao Mahankali (MSR), Shiv Kumar, and Rishikesha Krishnan, as they share specific interventions and examples to address these needs. MSR emphasizes the importance of mentorship and reflective practices for startups. Rishi highlights the value of hands-on experience and global cultural exposure for grooming leaders. Pooja talks about fostering clarity and passion among young women entrepreneurs, while Shiv underscores the necessity of structured interventions and internal growth in the development sector. Join us as we explore diverse perspectives and strategies for leadership development across startups, corporate, and the social sector. ------- Pooja Sharma Goyal, Co-Founder - Udaiti Foundation ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Srinivas Rao Mahankali (MSR), CEO - T-Hub ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Rishikesha Krishnan, Director – Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Shiv Kumar, Co-Founder - Co-Founder – Catalyst Group of Institutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Unleashed Conversations, we explore the dynamic landscape of leadership across various sectors. We discuss the booming startup ecosystem with Srinivas Rao Mahankali (MSR), the essential role of seasoned and emerging leaders in established businesses with Rishikesha Krishnan, the unique challenges and opportunities facing women entrepreneurs with Pooja Sharma Goyal, and the intricate demands of social sector leadership with Shiv Kumar. Join us as we delve into the specific needs and leadership skills required to drive growth and impact in these diverse fields. ------- Pooja Sharma Goyal, Co-Founder - Udaiti Foundation ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ------- Srinivas Rao Mahankali (MSR), CEO - T-Hub ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ------- Rishikesha Krishnan, Director – Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ------- Shiv Kumar, Co-Founder - Co-Founder – Catalyst Group of Institutions ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Unleashed Insights, we delve into the challenges women face in building a strong professional presence and brand. Rashmi Mohanty, Shalini Pillay, and Pooja Sharma Goyal share their experiences, tips, and lessons learned on navigating constraints, leveraging networking opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging in male-dominated environments. Discover practical advice on how women can thrive and succeed by building confidence, effective communication, and strategic networking. Unleashed Insights is a new segment based on the larger Unleashed Conversations, bringing to you specific themes and discussion on particular topics that are discussed at length in Unleashed Conversations.

Join me in reflecting on the conversations with Sarika Naik and Pooja Sharma Goyal about the importance of returnship programs and systemic design changes needed to support women's career growth to CXO levels. Hear expert insights on maintaining professional networks and leveraging social media during career breaks to ensure a smooth return to the workforce. Unleashed Insights is a new segment based on the larger Unleashed Conversations, bringing to you specific themes and discussion on particular topics that are discussed at length in Unleashed Conversations.

In this episode of Unleashed Conversations, we delve into the impact of fostering wider interests alongside academic pursuits. Featuring reflections from Debu, Mahender, Saumil, and Rashmi, the discussion covers the influences shaping our career paths, the role of parental and academic pressure, and the benefits of nurturing diverse skills from childhood. Highlighting examples of successful balance and the evolving educational methods, the episode underscores the importance of cultivating a well-rounded personality for both personal satisfaction and professional success. Key ideas discussed in this podcast: The Impact of External Influences on Career Choices Reflections on Personal Growth and Career Paths The Role of Parents and Academic Institutions in Shaping Careers Personal Stories of Pursuing Passions and Balancing Interests The Importance of Discipline and Sacrifice in Developing Skills Innovative Learning Approaches and the Value of Applied Knowledge Encouraging Children to Explore and Discover Their Interests The Journey from External Decisions to Self-Discovery ------ Rashmi Mohanty, Chief Financial Officer – SBI Credit Cards | Ultramarathoner ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Debu Mishra, Partner and Head Advisory, MENA – True Search ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- B. Mahender Reddy, Chief Executive Officer – Saint Mary's Educational Society ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Saumil Majmudar, Co-founder, CEO & Managing Director – Sportz Village ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode of Unleashed Conversations discusses the significance of cultivating interests and passions outside of professional life to improve leadership skills and personal growth. Srini shares his journey from aspiring to be a professional cricketer to discovering meditation and golf, illustrating how these pursuits helped manage stress and brought newfound energy to his work. The episode features discussions with guests Rashmi, Debu, and Pankaj on starting new hobbies, balancing them with work, and the positive impacts of continuous learning and experimentation on personal and professional development. The guests advocate for a balanced life through exploring diverse interests beyond the office, illustrating how organizational support and personal efforts can facilitate this journey. The discussion emphasizes the importance of spreading one's life across multiple interests for rejuvenation and a fuller, more satisfying life experience. Key ideas discussed in the podcast: Exploring Interests Beyond Work Personal Journey: From Cricket to Professional Life and Beyond The Importance of Experimentation and Continuous Evolution Embracing New Pursuits: Rashmi's Insights on Trying New Things Organizational Support in Discovering New Talents Balancing Professional Life and Personal Interests Expanding Horizons: The Cosmic Perspective The Imperative of Staying Curious and Diverse ------ Rashmi Mohanty, Chief Financial Officer – SBI Credit Cards | Ultramarathoner ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Debu Mishra, Partner and Head Advisory, MENA – True Search ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Pankaj Rai, Group Chief Data Analytics Officer – Aditya Birla Group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode of 'Unleashed Conversations' delves into the significance of cultivating diverse interests and pursuits beyond professional life for achieving personal and leadership growth. We explore the societal and educational pressures that often narrow our exploration of life and how this impacts our professional journeys, limiting our appreciation for diverse backgrounds and creative problem-solving. Through discussions with industry leaders and experts, including Debu Mishra, Rashmi Mohanty, Pankaj Rai, Mahinder Reddy, and Saumil Majmudar, we underscore the benefits of wider pursuits.These include increased energy, reduced stress, enhanced empathy, and the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams effectively. The episode also touches on how academic institutions and companies are increasingly valuing individuals with multifaceted skills and interests. The narrative is anchored on a case study of a leader who transformed his outlook and effectiveness by broadening his interests, illustrating how embracing diversity in life can enrich professional roles and leadership qualities. ------ Rashmi Mohanty, Chief Financial Officer – SBI Credit Cards | Ultramarathoner ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Debu Mishra, Partner and Head Advisory, MENA – True Search ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- B. Mahender Reddy, Chief Executive Officer – Saint Mary's Educational Society ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Pankaj Rai, Group Chief Data Analytics Officer – Aditya Birla Group ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- Saumil Majmudar, Co-founder, CEO & Managing Director – Sportz Village ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In episode 10 of Unleashed Conversations, we focus on women in leadership, exploring unique challenges and opportunities for women aspiring to CXO positions. Featuring insights from Shalini Pillay, Sarika Naik, Pooja Sharma Goyal, and Rashmi Mohanty, this episode dives into the realities of navigating corporate environments, balancing personal and professional demands, and leveraging strengths such as multitasking and resilience. It's a deep dive into empowering women leaders with strategies for success, networking within constraints, and embracing leadership roles with confidence. Key takeaways: Navigating Corporate Environments Balancing Acts Strength in Diversity Strategic Networking Embracing Leadership with Confidence ------- Shalini Pillay, India Leader - GCCs, KPMG ⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ------- Sarika Naik, Chief Marketing Officer & Chairperson, Diversity – India, Capgemini ⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ------- Pooja Sharma Goyal, Founding CEO - Udaiti Foundation ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ------- Rashmi Mohanty, Chief Financial Officer – SBI Credit Cards | Ultramarathoner ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In episode 9 of Unleashed Conversations, I continue my conversations about the transformative journey from being an operational leader to a CXO. Joined by Shalini Pillay, Sarika Naik, Dan Powers, and Shashi, we explore the nuances of building a leadership presence and credibility. We discuss the vital role organizations can play in nurturing leaders and how the environment shapes leadership development. This episode is packed with insights on structured networking, emotional readiness for leadership roles, and the unique challenges that come with aspiring to be a CXO. Key Takeaways: Leadership Presence and Credibility Organizational Support in Leadership Development Mental and Emotional Readiness The Impact of Structured Networking Adapting to Changing Roles and Environments ------- Shalini Pillay, India Leader - GCCs, KPMG ⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ------- Sarika Naik, Chief Marketing Officer & Chairperson, Diversity – India, Capgemini ⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ------- Dan Powers, Retired Office Managing - Partner Pacific Northwest, Grant Thornton ⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ------- Shashikanth KS, Founder & CEO – The Two Percent Club | Ex CEO Retail - Chai Point | Ex CHRO – Aditya Birla Retail Ltd | Ex Strategy Leader Infosys ⁠⁠Profile⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the latest episode of "Unleashed Conversations," where we delve into the remarkable transformation of a technology expert from being a master of transactional solutions to a strategic leader ready for partnership level. This episode is a celebration of a leader stepping out of their comfort zone, expanding their horizons beyond technical prowess to embrace strategic thinking and interpersonal skills, vital for building internal and external relationships. Key Takeaways: The Crucial Shift: We explore why operationally successful individuals often struggle to develop a broader, strategic perspective essential for leadership roles. Insights from accomplished leaders like Shalini Pillay (KPMG), Dan Powers (Grant Thornton), ShashiKanth (ex CEO of Chai Point), and Sarika Nayak (CMO at Capgemini India) shed light on this transformation. Building Wider Perspectives: The journey from a narrow focus to a comprehensive understanding of the entire firm is critical. We discuss how understanding industry challenges, client needs, and organizational strategies contribute to this broadening of perspective. Eligibility for Leadership: Mental toughness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to handle complex situations are crucial. We delve into what constitutes the mental and emotional bandwidth necessary for ascending to CXO roles. Cultivating Presence: The importance of building trusted relationships and becoming a valuable resource for clients and colleagues alike is emphasized. We explore the innate qualities necessary for moving from operational roles to CXO positions. The Power of Networking: Emphasizing the significance of networking within and outside the organization, we discuss strategies for building connections that foster career growth and organizational success. This episode is not just a story of one leader's transformation but a guide for many who aspire to climb the ladder from operational roles to strategic leadership positions. Join us as we uncover the nuances of this transition and provide insights for your own leadership journey. ------- Shalini Pillay, India Leader - GCCs, KPMG ⁠Profile⁠ LinkedIn ------- Sarika Naik, Chief Marketing Officer & Chairperson, Diversity – India, Capgemini ⁠Profile⁠ LinkedIn ------- Dan Powers, Retired Office Managing - Partner Pacific Northwest, Grant Thornton ⁠Profile⁠ LinkedIn ------- Shashikanth KS, Founder & CEO – The Two Percent Club | Ex CEO Retail - Chai Point | Ex CHRO – Aditya Birla Retail Ltd | Ex Strategy Leader Infosys ⁠Profile⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Dive into a compelling narrative on Unleashed Conversations with Srinivas Uppaluri, focusing on the transformative journey from profit-centric entrepreneurship to purpose-driven institution building. This episode features profound conversations with industry experts like Kris Gopalakrishnan, SD Shibulal, Raju Venkatraman, Shivakumar Ganesan , and Vaibhav Tewari, who share their experiences and insights on the delicate balance between generating profit and creating lasting impact. The discussions revolve around the challenges and rewards of shifting focus from short-term financial success to building companies that stand the test of time and contribute positively to society. A must-listen for anyone interested in the dynamics of modern business, this episode provides a unique look into how successful leaders navigate the path from opportunity encashment to impactful legacy building. ------- Kris Gopalakrishnan is the Chairman of Axilor Ventures, an accelerator that helps start-ups during the early stage of their business journey. Kris served as the vice chairman of Infosys from 2011 to 2014 and the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys from 2007 to 2011. Kris is one of the co-founders of Infosys. In January 2011, the Government of India awarded Mr. Gopalakrishnan the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honor. Profile ------- S.D. Shibulal (Shibu) is the Co-founder, former Member of the Board and CEO of Infosys Ltd. Prior to becoming the CEO and Managing Director, Shibu served as the Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to 2011. Earlier, Shibu held a number of senior leadership roles including: Head of Worldwide Sales and Customer Delivery. From 1991 to 1996, Shibu had worked with Sun Microsystems in the US, where he led the team which designed and implemented Sun’s first e-commerce application. Shibu retired from Infosys on 31st July, 2014. Profile ------- Raju Venkatramam, a successful Serial Entrepreneur is the Founder, ex-Chairman and ex-Managing Director of Medall Health Care Pvt. Ltd. Headquartered in Chennai, under his leadership, Medall got visibility and presence in 8 States Pan India and grew to become the 4th largest Diagnostics Services company in less than 7 years touching more than 12 million lives by 2018. This was possible by implementing his vision to provide accessible and affordable healthcare in tier 2 and tier 3 cities especially in the interiors of Tamil Nadu. Profile ------- Vaibhav Tewari is the Co-Founder & CEO at Portea Medical (⁠www.portea.com⁠), India’s leading out-of-hospital healthcare company. Portea brings in-home to patients, the full range of preventive care, pre & post natal care, post-operative care, critical care, chronic disease management, palliative care and elder care services. Since its inception, the company has successfully served more than 10L+ patients across 40 cities in India. Profile LinkedIn ------- Shivakumar Ganesan, or Shivku as he is affectionately called, is one of India’s leading startup and technology leaders under 40. He helms Exotel, as its Co-Founder and CEO, a company which has ushered one of the most trailblazing customer conversation platform and business-focused virtual telecom operator in the emerging world. Shivku embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2011 when he co-founded Exotel. Under his visionary leadership, the company has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. Presently, Exotel’s cloud-based product suite facilitates an astounding 70 million conversations daily for over 7,000 businesses across the globe. Profile LinkedIn ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠

As a leader, getting the right talent at the right time is crucial for an organisation's growth.Is it possible to hire the right people all the time? Probably not. Without people, no company can be successful, no entrepreneur can be successful, and no purpose can be delivered. It's all people that make things happen. In this episode of Unleashed Conversations, I continue my discussions with Kris and Shibu, Co-Founders of Infosys about the importance of people in building world class organisations. I am joined by a new guest on the podcast, Sandeep Maini, Chairman of the Maini Group, and reflect on this theme with Raju Venkataraman from Medall, and Shivakumar Ganesan form Exotel. Key takeaways from this podcast:- Kris and Shibu share their deep experience about how the founding team at Infosys built a great team How Shiv is scaling up new-age start-up, Exotel, by building a strong team The story of bringing in independent directors at the Maini Group in the very early stages, narrated by Sandeep Maini Exceptional reflections from Raju Venkatraman on how founders and leaders can groom people ------- Kris Gopalakrishnan is the Chairman of Axilor Ventures, an accelerator that helps start-ups during the early stage of their business journey. Kris served as the vice chairman of Infosys from 2011 to 2014 and the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys from 2007 to 2011. Kris is one of the co-founders of Infosys. In January 2011, the Government of India awarded Mr. Gopalakrishnan the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honor. Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/kris-gopalakrishnan⁠ ------- S.D. Shibulal (Shibu) is the Co-founder, former Member of the Board and CEO of Infosys Ltd. Prior to becoming the CEO and Managing Director, Shibu served as the Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to 2011. Earlier, Shibu held a number of senior leadership roles including: Head of Worldwide Sales and Customer Delivery. From 1991 to 1996, Shibu had worked with Sun Microsystems in the US, where he led the team which designed and implemented Sun’s first e-commerce application. Shibu retired from Infosys on 31st July, 2014. Profile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/sd-shibulal ------- Sandeep Kumar Maini is an Industrial & Production Engineer, an alumnus of Manipal Institute of Technology. His journey with the Maini Group began in 1989, and in 2007, he ascended to the position of Chairman of the Maini Group. Under his leadership, the Maini Group has grown into a conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of companies operating both domestically and internationally. Profile: ⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/sandeep-kumar-maini ------- Raju Venkatramam, a successful Serial Entrepreneur is the Founder, ex-Chairman and ex-Managing Director of Medall Health Care Pvt. Ltd. Headquartered in Chennai, under his leadership, Medall got visibility and presence in 8 States Pan India and grew to become the 4th largest Diagnostics Services company in less than 7 years touching more than 12 million lives by 2018. Profile: ⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/raju-venkatraman⁠⁠ ------- Shivakumar Ganesan, or Shivku as he is affectionately called, is one of India’s leading startup and technology leaders under 40. He helms Exotel, as its Co-Founder and CEO, a company which has ushered one of the most trailblazing customer conversation platform and business-focused virtual telecom operator in the emerging world. Profile: ⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/shivakumar-ganesan⁠⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠⁠

In the 5th episode of Unleashed Conversations, my conversation with Shivakumar Ganesan, Co-founder and CEO of Exotel, continues and expands to different themes. Along with this, I am also joined by Vaibhav Tewari, CEO of Portea, with over 25 years of experience spanning various sectors, and Raju Venkatraman, a highly successful serial entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the fields of process outsourcing, information technology, and medical diagnostics.  We delve into a crucial question about how they allocate their time within their organisations. It is true that the health of an organisation can be easily assessed from how the top management spends time, and these gentlemen exemplify this belief. We explored where their time should be invested, balancing between demands of the current period to focus on growth engines, meeting revenue targets, fulfilling customer commitments, and ensuring that adequate growth engines are in place. Tune in to the 5th episode of Unleashed Conversations for all this and more. Raju Venkatramam, a successful Serial Entrepreneur is the Founder, ex-Chairman and ex-Managing Director of Medall Health Care Pvt. Ltd. Headquartered in Chennai, under his leadership, Medall got visibility and presence in 8 States Pan India and grew to become the 4th largest Diagnostics Services company in less than 7 years touching more than 12 million lives by 2018. This was possible by implementing his vision to provide accessible and affordable healthcare in tier 2 and tier 3 cities especially in the interiors of Tamil Nadu. Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/raju-venkatraman⁠ ------- Vaibhav Tewari is the Co-Founder & CEO at Portea Medical (www.portea.com), India’s leading out-of-hospital healthcare company. Portea brings in-home to patients, the full range of preventive care, pre & post natal care, post-operative care, critical care, chronic disease management, palliative care and elder care services. Since its inception, the company has successfully served more than 10L+ patients across 40 cities in India. The company manages ~7L annual patient visits across India and works with top hospitals, Insurance and Pharma companies. Find Vaibhav on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/vaibhav-tewari LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaibhavtewari/ ------- Shivakumar Ganesan, or Shivku as he is affectionately called, is one of India’s leading startup and technology leaders under 40. He helms Exotel, as its Co-Founder and CEO, a company which has ushered one of the most trailblazing customer conversation platform and business-focused virtual telecom operator in the emerging world. Shivku embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2011 when he co-founded Exotel. Under his visionary leadership, the company has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. Presently, Exotel’s cloud-based product suite facilitates an astounding 70 million conversations daily for over 7,000 businesses across the globe. Find Shiv on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/shivakumar-ganesan⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivku/⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠⁠ #startups #transformation #leadership #inspiration #technologyleaders

In this episode of Unleashed Conversations, Kris Gopalakrishnan and SD Shibulal, Co-Founders of Infosys share about their journey of letting go and helping scale Infosys into a world class organisation by empowering people in the organisation. They share about the lessons learnt during this process - lessons that are relevant for anyone building a team, a company or a brand. We also hear from Shiv, CEO & Co-Founder of Exotel about his experience of letting go and bringing in a multi-dimensional approach as Exotel scales rapidly. We also explore the journey of the leader I worked with, who could unleash the potential of his organization only when he moved from his centric to the institutional way of working. Kris Gopalakrishnan is the Chairman of Axilor Ventures, an accelerator that helps start-ups during the early stage of their business journey. Kris served as the vice chairman of Infosys from 2011 to 2014 and the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Infosys from 2007 to 2011. Kris is one of the co-founders of Infosys. In January 2011, the Government of India awarded Mr. Gopalakrishnan the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honor. Find Kris on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/kris-gopalakrishnan LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-gopalakrishnan-10b49950/ ------- S.D. Shibulal (Shibu) is the Co-founder, former Member of the Board and CEO of Infosys Ltd. Prior to becoming the CEO and Managing Director, Shibu served as the Chief Operating Officer from 2007 to 2011. Earlier, Shibu held a number of senior leadership roles including: Head of Worldwide Sales and Customer Delivery. From 1991 to 1996, Shibu had worked with Sun Microsystems in the US, where he led the team which designed and implemented Sun’s first e-commerce application. Shibu retired from Infosys on 31st July, 2014. In 2014, Shibu co-founded Axilor Ventures – a new generation platform to improve odds of success of entrepreneurs. With three distinct programmes: accelerator, scale-up and early stage funding, Axilor provides infrastructure, mentoring and capital for high-impact, India–focussed start-ups (in the areas of e-commerce, Healthcare and Cleantech). Find Shibu on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/sd-shibulal ------- Shivakumar Ganesan, or Shivku as he is affectionately called, is one of India’s leading startup and technology leaders under 40. He helms Exotel, as its Co-Founder and CEO, a company which has ushered one of the most trailblazing customer conversation platform and business-focused virtual telecom operator in the emerging world. Shivku embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2011 when he co-founded Exotel. Under his visionary leadership, the company has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying its position as a key player in the industry. Presently, Exotel’s cloud-based product suite facilitates an astounding 70 million conversations daily for over 7,000 businesses across the globe. Find Shiv on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/shivakumar-ganesan LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivku/ ------- More about Srini: ⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠⁠ #startups #transformation #leadership #inspiration #technologyleaders

In this thought-provoking episode of Unleashed Conversations, we delve deep into the core challenges and opportunities that businesses face in the ever-evolving landscape of customer-centricity and innovation. Join us as our expert panel comprising of Sudhir Rao, Dileep Mangsuli and Sanjay Salunkhe discusses critical topics, such as institutionalizing an understanding of customer context, balancing internal KPIs with customer value delivery, and shaping corporate culture to proactively manage business rather than just managing crises. We'll explore the structural changes required for organizations to tap into the vast innovation potential of India, and whether it's time to reconsider what's been working. Hear about the concept of "Blue-Collared Consulting" and how it might just be the thing that requires a mindset shift in the way work is being done in professional environments. Moreover, our discussion will touch on the democratization of creative power within organizations, exploring ways to unleash the untapped wellspring of creativity that often lies dormant. And finally, we'll dive into the importance of creating middle-level heroes within the workforce, understanding just how critical they are in driving transformative change. Tune in for a dynamic conversation that promises to challenge conventional wisdom and provide fresh insights into the complex world of modern business strategy and culture. ------- Sanjay Salunkhe is the President & Global Head Digital and Software Services at Hexaware Technologies. He is a highly accomplished executive with an impressive track record spanning over 25 years in the Digital, Software, and Hi-Tech Engineering sectors. He is renowned for his unwavering commitment to performance, consistently achieving remarkable top and bottom-line results while establishing and expanding businesses. Find Sanjay on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-salunkhe-3378a2/⁠ ------- Sudhir Rao has over 40 years of enterprise-building experience as an Entrepreneur, Scale-Up Advisor and Venture Capital Fund manager. He is the Managing Partner of Celesta Capital - India, a Global Technology Venture Fund platform. He is a Chartered Accountant (ICAI) and a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA). Find Sudhir on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/raosudhir/⁠ ------- Dileep Mangsuli is the Executive Director at Siemens Healthineers India Pvt Ltd.. He is an experienced global technology leader leading Global Healthcare Development Center at Siemens Healthineers operating from Bengaluru India and has global experience in leadership roles having worked in UK, China and USA for over ten years. Dileep has a post-graduate degree in technology from IIT Madras. Find Dileep on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dileep-mangsuli/⁠ ------- More about Srini: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠ #startups #transformation #leadership #inspiration #technologyleaders

In this episode of Unleashed Conversations, we explore the dynamic world of technology leaders and their ability to innovate within the framework of their core responsibilities. Delve into the Outcomes Framework, a powerful concept that empowers technology leaders to take ownership of diverse outcomes, from resource provision to goal-setting, influencing customer decisions along the way. My discussions with Sudhir Rao and Dileep Mangsuli shed light on the delicate balance between learning from the past, managing present constraints, and envisioning a future brimming with innovation. If you are an entrepreneur, you will like the discussions on the skills and the mindset that the younger founders bring to growth. As a technology leader, there are deep takeaways and themes for you to ponder upon, and to put them to work in your professional life. Join us in future episodes as we delve deeper into institutionalizing innovation, sharing practical examples and experiences from industry leaders who have successfully integrated innovation into their organizational DNA. We'll uncover the secrets to sustaining innovation on a consistent basis and building institutions that thrive on creativity and forward thinking. Learn from inspiring stories of leaders who transformed their approach, evolving from merely coding software to understanding the end users and delivering value beyond expectations. Explore the changing norms of the tech industry, where the young generation emerges as heroes and role models, reshaping the future with their energy and ideas. ---- Sudhir Rao has over 40 years of enterprise-building experience as an Entrepreneur, Scale-Up Advisor and Venture Capital Fund manager. He is the Managing Partner of Celesta Capital - India, a Global Technology Venture Fund platform. He is a Chartered Accountant (ICAI) and a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA). Find Sudhir on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/raosudhir/⁠ ---- Dileep Mangsuli is the Executive Director at Siemens Healthineers India Pvt Ltd.. He is an experienced global technology leader leading Global Healthcare Development Center at Siemens Healthineers operating from Bengaluru India and has global experience in leadership roles having worked in UK, China and USA for over ten years. Dileep has a post-graduate degree in technology from IIT Madras. Find Dileep on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: ⁠https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/dileep-mangsuli/⁠ ----- More about Srini: ⁠srinivasuppaluri.com⁠ Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/⁠ Join the Unleashed Community: https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys⁠ #startups #transformation #leadership #inspiration #technologyleaders

This episode celebrates the transformation of a Tech professional from being a process manager to becoming sounding board to his customers. This transformation of this tech professional threw up many interesting questions. Why are talented technology professionals in the industry reduced to being capacity managers and hands to customers and sales? Are the organization and HR models responsible for this? What can be done to improve the ability of technology leaders to provide insights, guide customers on trade-offs, guide customers on leveraging technology? Innovation is central to start-ups – Are the technology leaders better sounding boards if they are in a start-up environment? With careers skewed towards becoming capacity managers – there are hardly any middle level heroes who can trouble-shoot and guide the teams – how can we build such environments in the industry? Are the technology leaders different when the outcomes owned are higher? What extent this is happening? The aspiration to deliver higher value – is this possible without the ability to be sounding board to the customer? I had a discussion with several leaders about these themes. In this episode, I reflect with Sudhir and Dileep about their experiences of working with technology leaders. They share their perspectives around challenges that tech professionals face and the role of environment in influencing their purpose, focus, and to a large extent limiting their ability to leverage their full potential. In the upcoming episodes, we will deliberate more with Dileep, Sudhir, and other guests on other themes and approaches for technology professionals to become sounding boards to their customers. -------- Sudhir Rao has over 40 years of enterprise-building experience as an Entrepreneur, Scale-Up Advisor and Venture Capital Fund manager. He is the Managing Partner of Celesta Capital - India, a Global Technology Venture Fund platform. He is a Chartered Accountant (ICAI) and a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA). Find Sudhir on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raosudhir/   Dileep Mangsuli is the Executive Director at Siemens Healthineers India Pvt Ltd.. He is an experienced global technology leader leading Global Healthcare Development Center at Siemens Healthineers operating from Bengaluru India and has global experience in leadership roles having worked in UK, China and USA for over ten years. Dileep has a post-graduate degree in technology from IIT Madras.   Find Dileep on social media Profile on Unleashed Conversations: https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys/unleashed-conversations-guests LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dileep-mangsuli/ ----- More about Srini: srinivasuppaluri.com Connect with Srini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srinivasuppaluri/ Join the Unleashed Community: https://srinivasuppaluri.com/unleashed-inspiring-leadership-journeys #startups #transformation #leadership #inspiration #technologyleaders

As a coach, over the last decade, I have worked with several high-performing professionals to help them realise their intrinsic potential. These individuals come from all walks of professional life and are proven leaders in their industries. But they had a hard time battling the status-quo that they had created for themselves. They were resigned to their existence as a result of their circumstances. Over the last year, I have curated 7 stories of transformation of such high-performing business professionals. Each of these stories will take you through their journey of self-discovery through reflections. I took the themes emerging from these stories to industry leaders and senior professionals to understand their perspective on them. These themes require a larger discussion, deliberation, and areas to address, at an institutional and societal level. I bring to you Unleashed Conversations - a podcast curated from these talks for you to begin the journey of reflecting on these issues. I am hopeful that these discussions with industry leaders on how they addressed the challenges across scaling-up, developing human talent, and more, will help you. Join the Unleashed community to get involved and immerse in deep discussions about pertinent issues, and explore updates from this thriving community. It will be a place for you to engage with fellow industry leaders and business owners to help you Unleash your potential. #community #leadership #growth