What if leadership meant breaking everything that works? Not to disrupt for the sake of it—but to reimagine, to rebuild, and to lead with purpose. At the recent #nasscomGCC Summit, I shared a thought close to my heart - in a world evolving at lightning speed, true leadership isn’t about holding on to what’s working—it’s about having the courage to let go and embrace what comes next. Because sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs begin when we’re willing to break the mold. This mindset becomes even more critical in today’s dynamic world, where disruption isn’t a rarity—it’s the norm. Whether it’s economic shifts, technological advancements, or unexpected global events, the difference lies in how we respond. Not too long ago, COVID-19 taught us the art of the possible and how quickly we can adapt. Within weeks, teams shifted to remote work—seamlessly, resiliently. This organisational agility reinforced that even conventional practices, when broken thoughtfully, can lead to extraordinary outcomes that make the organisation stronger. That’s why we actively encourage our teams to think beyond the status-quo. Through initiatives like ‘The Big Challenge, ideathons, hackathons and various other platforms’, where colleagues present ideas that drive operational efficiency, improve customer experiences and spark innovation. Empowering individuals to execute their ideas not only benefits the organisation, but also fuels personal growth and engagement. I’ve seen how resilient and innovative teams in India can be. We offer a powerful example of this resilience in action. Disruption comes in many forms—be it advancements in generative AI or the digital revolution reshaping customer experiences. At Barclays, we’ve embraced disruption as an opportunity to innovate, adapt and grow. Historically, we have been at the forefront of innovation, from introducing the first British ATM to adopting digital banking. It’s a reminder that the way forward is to lead from the front, staying informed and agile. For me, it all comes back to adaptability. Whether it's tackling adversity or embracing new technologies like generative AI; staying curious and continuously learning is non-negotiable. That’s what helps us stay relevant, authentic and keep moving forward. Thank you, Nasscom, for a wonderful opportunity. Thank you Amit Kalra for moderating the session and Rajat Raheja for your insightful thoughts on the panel.
AQ , Adaptability Quotient is the next big skill ! Thank You Praveen , very insightful
Very well said Praveen Kumar
Really resonates Praveen. Thanks for sharing such powerful insights, especially the idea that breakthroughs often start with breaking the mold. You think the question is also about creating an environment for teams to feel safe to ‘break things’ and innovate without fear of failure?
And that’s food for thought Praveen! Many thanks for taking the time to share your experience & wisdom
Praveen Kumar You are absolutely right. It is about how fast can an organisation reimagine and innovate. And it takes courage to disrupt things that are working. But that is what separates the best from the rest.
Well said Praveen Kumar !!! Resilience and Adaptability are key for leadership in today’s dynamic environment.
Well penned Praveen Kumar given your experience of leading the 1st Gen GCC .
Bang on it's the Mindset revolution that we need to build , adaptability is the key and to end disruptions are how balanced do you keep your Body and Mind
CEO | Generative AI Development and Solution Consulting | AI Strategy | Gen AI Trainer for Business and Technologists
3dWonderful to see you at the Nasscom panel Praveen Kumar and your post is full of golden insights. My favourite is the point on Innovation. We have continuously raised our bars within GCCs in India in technology thought leadership, automation and innovation and delivered critical value to the parents. Our teams show tremendous hunger to research and experiment given the slightest nudges, a little courage and a platform. The results are always spectacular.