Every business is in a changing landscape and one of the key aspects of leadership is the ability to recognise the difference between stagnation and sustainable growth. Randeep Sekhon, the CTO of Bharti Airtel is a prime example of a modern leader, one who has embraced a people-first culture, relentless innovation, and a sense of purpose, all of which are fundamental to creating a resilient organisation in the 21st century. It is an important reminder to all of us—no matter what our profession is.
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Principles to Practice Leadership Starts With Attitude
The leadership lesson that Sekhon can relate to most is his reflection on Fish! Tales is a book that encapsulates workplace culture into the four easy rules: Choose Your Attitude, Be Present, Play, Make Their Day. He does not consider these cliches, but useful practices for energy and performance in the workplace.
This perspective is in line with contemporary organisational psychology. Gallup Research has found that employee engagement is always linked to the successes of businesses; companies with high employee engagement can see up to 23% higher profitability than companies without high employee engagement. Leaders encourage this by modelling and showing a presence, supporting routine tasks to become purposeful tasks.
The Lesson: The first step to leadership begins with attitude. A positive, purposeful mindset improves team morale and has a positive effect on overall team performance.
Innovation, the Historical Perspective, the Bigger Picture: Innovation, the Historical Perspective,
Sekhon said that in his visit to the British Museum, it was a lesson to him that even the great civilisations or companies will become irrelevant if they do not evolve continuously. This is not just poetic, but it’s a tactics analogy.
If speed is not the only criterion, then the readiness to accommodate applications powered by AI is the key to future telecom success, Sekhon pointed out at a recent ETTelecom summit. These range from low-latency edge computing, network automation, through to self-healing systems.
Learning: Leaders need to support lifelong learning and innovation if they are to be relevant, things that worked yesterday do not necessarily work tomorrow!
Human Centric LeadershipÂ
Great leaders create a vision and they know the people who make it happen. The leadership style of Airtel team members in Kashmir is exemplified through Sekhon’s recent encouragement of them for their hardworking efforts in the challenging environment. This isn’t a mere catch-cry – it is an endorsement that the drive demonstrated by frontline staff is of the same importance as the long-term strategy being discussed in the boardroom.
Academic studies back this up also: a team that feels genuinely appreciated will produce better outcomes and have a reduced staff turnover. As Harvard Business Review notes, recognition greatly boosts employee engagement, productivity, and a sense of belonging.
Lesson: students will learn that leadership requires delivering credit to where it is due and developing effective strategic plans.
Finding a Balance Between the Culture and Competence
Sekhon’s leadership culture reflects the overall Airtel culture which is inclusive and development oriented. The company’s diversity statistics at present (18.5% female staff across the board, and rising at all levels of management) show that it is working toward a more engaged and equitable workplace.
Studies conducted by McKinsey & Company have repeatedly found that organisations with a multifaceted leadership team are more likely to outperform in financial performance. In short, inclusive leadership is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do!
Under the leadership of Sekhon, Airtel has always been a people-centric organization and its People Agenda has always been about learning, leadership development and shared growth. Profitability and people-centric leadership are not mutually exclusive; it is becoming obvious that this is not the case.
Lesson: A leader’s ability to empower others makes them successful. If teams are nurtured then so will organisational power.
The Core Focus is on Strategic Risk and Growth with Leadership in a Competitive Landscape
The Tok Time results indicate that Airtel is very well positioned financially. Under disciplined leadership, pre-tax profit grew 34.4% YoY in the last quarter, as subscribers increased, upgrades were made and strategic investments were made, according to Reuters’ poll. In a sector-wide slowdown in overall revenue, Airtel has managed to make a successful transition from core telephony to broadband, data centres and digital services and is a leader who is ready to change and act proactively. Also, with targeted international campaigns, Sekhon joins the Dialogue Axiata Board as Airtel builds its capability and collaborative leadership outside its own country.Â
Lesson: The effective leader is someone who takes risks in strategic investments, executes with discipline and agility.
Tech With a Heart Building Trust in the Digital Age
But Sekhon’s job isn’t just about numbers, networks and budgets, it’s about trust. Airtel’s technical expertise has saved 48.3 billion spam calls and cybercrime losses by almost 69% as certified by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs. It demonstrates that the company is not only reaching out to its customers but also safeguarding them.
It’s about the human impact, not the abstract idea of innovation, as a competitive edge in a digital world where digital trust is key, and this focus on customer experience and safety is an insight into Sekhon’s leadership style.
Lesson: Leadership is all about more than just products, it’s about technology that protects and improves people’s lives.
