Understanding Organizational Vitality – Unboxing Leadership by Rethinking Power, Presence, and Empathy was the core of the panel discussion at the Best of the Best Conference by Avtar & Seramount on November 12, 2025, in Chennai. This powerful discussion boasted industry leaders such as Geetha Ramaoorthi, Managing Director, KBR India; Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, InterContinental Hotels Group; Satchidanand Sharma, Dean – Hapag-Lloyd Academy; and Usha Subramaniam, Country President – Grundfos India. The session was moderated by Kannan Hariharan, Chief Strategist, Culture & Belonging, Avtar Group.
Authenticity and Vulnerability in Leadership
Setting the tone for discussion, Kannan shared a visionary story of leadership under Indra Nooyi on Performance with Purpose and inclusive leadership, detailing how inclusive work cultures impacted long-term success. The panellists shared their experiences on the need for leaders to demonstrate authenticity and commitment, combined with a roadmap to nurture future leaders. Quoting Richard Branson, “Take care of your people and they will take care of your guests,” Sudeep highlighted the need to demonstrate alignment between policy and practice. Leadership is about adapting to the changing requirements of the workplace for the organization’s legacy to carry on, he added.
Power to People
Citing the need to break barriers, mould leaders, and change employee mindsets, Usha said, “For innovation to happen, the organization has to be inclusive.” She also stressed the importance of self-aware leadership and the need to bring clarity across the board. Highlighting the importance of building trust and ensuring open communication in the organization, Satchidanand spoke about initiatives such as offering second innings, intentional hiring, and adding behaviour metrics to vitalize organizations.
Key Takeaways
“Authentic leadership, engagement, and inclusion are fundamental to organizational vitality” was the key takeaway for the audience. Kannan stressed the significance of even small initiatives by leaders that build value and trust. The session ended on a high note, with the panel agreeing that it is up to leaders to create a culture of open communication and engagement to build organizational vitality.
