Navigating Leadership Horizons: A Journey of Purpose and Impact
This article delves into the compelling leadership journey of Mr. Ganesh Ananthanarayanan, COO, Airtel Payments Bank, tracing his trajectory from the early days as an Engineering Trainee to the pivotal role of Chief Operating Officer at Airtel Payments Bank. The narrative unfolds through key milestones and transformative experiences that have shaped the leader's approach to people management and leadership.
1. Please describe your personal leadership journey, from your first job and assignment to where you are today.
I began my career as an Engineering Trainee at Tata Motors in 1998. After a little over a year, I shifted to Hindustan Unilever Ltd and found my true calling in Sales and Marketing. After more than 11 years, I became the General Manager for the Modern Trade vertical. As much as I enjoyed my role, I was ready for a new challenge, and that's when I decided to join Bharti Airtel as the Circle COO. I was excited to work in a new domain with new challenges. In 2017, Airtel Payments Bank was launched, and I was given the opportunity to become the Chief Operating Officer. This was a turning point in my career as well as in my leadership journey, as it involved establishing a new entity from scratch. The Payments Bank license was also a new concept in the country which was driven by the purpose of taking financial inclusion in the country to the next level. I was driven by the same purpose and joined the Bank. Today, I am proud to be a part of India's only profitable multi-segment fintech with a banking license
2. What are some of the key events in this journey which have shaped your people leadership styles, your approach?
People leadership is an ever-evolving space. There can never be a ‘one style fits all’ approach to your leadership style, especially in today’s world where, as a leader you have to deal with multiple people from multiple backgrounds and thought processes. There is a need to adapt your leadership style to the audience that you are dealing with. Add to these certain developments that happen as you function and that too can be a big influencer on your leadership style. For instance, when floods happened in Bihar two years back, our team at Airtel Payments Bank used boats to assist consumers in cash withdrawals, this had a very profound impact on the way I looked at my people who displayed tremendous empathy and humility with our customers. Similarly, the impact we have created in association with the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), in Paderu to make banking financial services available to unbanked and under-banked tribal population of villages under the agency.
3. We know that the best leaders are great at connecting with people at a personal, deeper level. What do you do to make meaningful connections with people you lead?
Building meaningful connections with those I work with is a crucial aspect of my leadership approach. I believe in promoting a culture of open communication, trust, and empathy. At Airtel Payments Bank, all leaders invest in professional development and recognize the significance of work-life balance. This approach creates a positive and supportive environment where team members feel heard, valued, and connected on a personal level. To sum up, my method of making meaningful connections involves effective communication, empathy, recognition, and investment in personal and professional growth. These efforts contribute to a positive and cohesive team dynamic, fostering an environment where individuals feel appreciated and connected on a personal level.
4. They say leaders create more leaders. How do you ensure you create great leaders amongst your followers?
I prioritize leadership development within my team by creating a supportive environment that values mentorship, encourages skill-building, and promotes independent decision making. By identifying and cultivating the unique strengths of each team member, I empower them to take on leadership positions and responsibilities, facilitating a culture of continuous growth and improvement.
5. Where do you get your inspiration from as a leader?
If you look at corporate India historically, there are a lot of leaders and their unique leadership styles that one can take inspiration from. From a personal perspective, I have been fortunate to interact with many senior leaders at the organisations that I have worked with. Notably among these would be leaders at HUL and the Bharti Group. These two organisations, as anybody would concur have changed the ways of living in India; one shaping how Indian consumers think, act and behave when it comes to their daily needs and the other having revolutionised the way India communicates today. Having said that, I would definitely want to mention the awesome set of leaders and the team the bank has from whom I take a lot of inspiration. The collective knowledge and the cutting edge work that the team brings to the table automatically inspires you to take your commitment to make a difference to India to a completely new level.
