Dr. Ram Charan & Ravi Kant Lead Fireside Chat On Leadership Challenges At Governance Summit
The two-day Board Stewardship Global Corporate Governance Summit 2025 saw a warm and insightful fireside chat between Dr. Ram Charan, the trusted advisor to CEOs and corporate boards worldwide, and Ravi Kant, the former Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Tata Motors. Held on December 2, the session—aptly titled ‘Leading from the Back to Achieve the Impossible’—brought alive their experiences and reflections on what leadership truly means today. As they spoke about navigating rapid disruption and technological change, their conversation offered practical wisdom and a refreshing perspective on how leaders can stay grounded while guiding organisations through challenging times.
The summit at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) brought together 300+ corporate leaders, Independent Directors, and governance professionals for in-depth discussions on governance, sustainability, technology, and the future of Indian Boards.
Ravi Kant said, “The intensity of change, uncertainty, and disruptions today makes rigid hierarchical organisational structures unworkable.” He pointed out the growing need for distributed leadership, adding, “Gen Z employees do not want to work in command-and-control organisations. We have tested this widely, and the answer is clear — they want empowerment and teamwork, not bosses.”
Regarding AI, Kant shared findings from a recent study on AI adoption: “There is a strong link, a correlation of 85%, between leadership qualities and the success of AI projects. 79% of AI projects fail, not because of technology, but because of people.” He explained that leaders who succeed with AI show humility, open-mindedness, and work well with others — qualities important for today’s leadership.
Dr. Ram Charan added to this by highlighting India’s growth potential: “India is full of optimism and confidence like no other country. This optimism comes from leadership.” He said, “There is no one ‘best’ leader; it’s about the right fit between the leader and the situation. Boards play a vital role, not just in following rules but in helping people grow by supporting and guiding leaders.”
Charan wrapped up by saying, “Leadership means empowering others, developing talent, and encouraging teamwork. This is the kind of leadership India’s Boards must adopt to keep growing and innovating.”
Adding to the reflections, Vikesh Wallia, MD & Editor, Board Stewardship, expressed his delight that the next generation of Independent Directors now has a legend to look up to for inspiration, noting how such exemplars elevate aspirations and set new standards for governance excellence. Highlighting the conference’s timing and relevance, he added, “This two-day conference comes at an important time as boardrooms adapt to global governance shifts and rising expectations around digital readiness.”
Complementing the fireside chat, Shailesh Haribhakti, eminent Chartered Accountant, Board Icon, and Chairman of the Advisory Board, Board Stewardship, shared his reflections, “The Global Board Stewardship Convention was one of a kind. The fireside chat with Ram Charan was the highlight. All panels, keynotes and felicitations were memorable and left behind several messages. Most valuable networking opportunities, great food and timely sessions all made the convention memorable. The outpouring of posts is ample proof of the excellent work by the Board Stewardship team! Kudos all round!”
The Summit concluded on an optimistic note, signalling that India’s corporate boards are ready to lead with strength, clear vision, and care, embracing distributed leadership and AI to shape the future of business governance.
