The New Generation of Leadership in India – Observations

Doing my ICF accreditation as PCC in Leadership & Communication, I have been observing the emergence of a new generation of leaders, with the reshaping economic landscape, presenting both significant challenges and unique opportunities for C-suite executives. With a diverse economy transitioning from traditional practices to a digitally-driven and innovation-centric model, leaders must strategically position their organisations to capitalise on these shifts, exemplified by Viksit Bharat.

Understanding the New Generation of Leaders

As an overview, today’s leaders in India are characterised by their visionary approach and global mindset. They are driven by values that extend beyond profit, emphasising sustainability, social impact, and technological prowess. For C-suite executives, recognising and engaging with this new leadership paradigm is crucial. These leaders are seen to embrace —

• Agility: They prioritise speed and adaptability in decision-making, essential in a world where market conditions can change rapidly.
• Collaboration: Understanding the importance of a united workforce, they foster an inclusive culture that promotes teamwork and innovation.
• Data-Driven Insights: They harness analytics to inform strategic decisions, ensuring their organisations are responsive to both consumer behaviours and market dynamics.

Current Economic Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities

The Indian economy in 2025 presents a dual narrative—marked by challenges yet brimming with potential. C-suite leaders must recognise that these challenges can act as catalysts for transformation.

1. Demographic Dividend: With over 65% of its population under 35, India offers a vast pool of talent. This demographic advantage can fuel economic growth, provided leaders cultivate an environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. For organisations, this means investing in training and development to harness this potential effectively.
2. Accelerated Digital Transformation: The pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of digital technologies across sectors. C-suite executives should prioritise digital initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and improve customer engagement. For Viksit Bharat, this translates into utilising digital marketing strategies and platforms to enhance visibility and accessibility in the tourism sector.
3. Focus on Sustainability: As global consciousness around sustainability intensifies, Indian business leaders are increasingly integrating eco-friendly practices into their operations. This is not just about compliance; it’s a strategic differentiator. C-suite leaders should champion sustainable practices within their organisations, positioning brands as responsible and forward-thinking. Viksit Bharat can lead the charge in promoting sustainable tourism, aligning with global trends and consumer expectations.
4. Supportive Government Initiatives: The Indian government is actively imbibing an environment conducive to growth through initiatives like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). Leaders must align their corporate strategies with these initiatives to leverage government support and incentivise innovation.

Transforming Challenges into Strategic Advantages

While the economic landscape presents challenges, these can also serve as opportunities for strategic growth:

1. Evolving Consumer Preferences: Post-pandemic travellers seek personalised, safe, and unique experiences. C-suite leaders must invest in understanding these shifts through market research and customer feedback to innovate their offerings. This could mean developing tailored travel packages that resonate with modern consumer desires.
2. Increased Competition: With the resurgence of tourism, the competition is intensifying. C-suite leaders must ensure their organisations stand out by highlighting distinctive offerings, such as cultural and experiential tourism. Viksit Bharat can capitalise on this by marketing lesser-known destinations that provide authentic experiences, catering to niche audiences.
3. Navigating Regulatory Complexities: The regulatory landscape can be daunting, particularly for startups and SMEs in the tourism sector. C-suite leaders can advocate for streamlined processes and favourable policies by collaborating with industry bodies and government entities, thereby reducing barriers to entry and enhancing operational efficiency.

Reflection – Leading into the Future

The new generation of leaders is uniquely positioned to drive significant change in India’s economic landscape. C-suite executives must embrace this transformation, leveraging innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity as guiding principles. By understanding the intricate dynamics of today’s economy, they can strategically navigate the challenges and seize opportunities for growth. For Viksit Bharat and similar organisations, the future is ripe with potential. In my observation, our education system must do a deeper handshake with the corporate world to prepare our future leaders with real world challenges and not only core hard skills. For instance, collaborating better, communicating better with effective listening and more.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta

Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta, President’s Select Member of Leaders Excellence [MLE] at Harvard Square, is a prominent figure in the industry, serves as a mentor, advisor, and speaker at the Indian Institute of Film Training & Digital Marketing (IFTDM). Holding a significant role on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Ankoor is also on the Advisory Board of Global Mathematics & Mathematics Olympiad Graded Assessment Test with Competition. Ankoor is also an empanelled Speaker at SpeakIn which also runs the Indian Speaker Bureau.

Extending beyond academia; Ankoor has been honoured with the "CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2024" award by Passion Vista and recognized as the "MAN OF EXCELLENCE, 2024" by the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award. Additionally, he received the "LEADER 2.0 AWARD, 2023" from adgully and was named a "DIGITAL KAIZEN LEADER by DigiAdCon 2024”, Dr. Dasguupta's contributions to the field of marketing are widely acclaimed, marking him as an inspiring thought leader in his domain. Ankoor is also a member of IMA India’s CMO Forum.

Most recently Dr. Dasguupta has been selected and felicitated with the national level award -Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award 2024 in the category Youth Icon of the Year.

Dr. Dasguupta is a key member of the esteemed International CMO Council and keeps delivering lectures at top Business Schools and also colleges at University of Delhi. As an industry expert, Ankoor has also been a member of the interview panel at MICA for their PGP Group Exercise & Personal Interview PI process for PGDM-C/PGDM selection for two consecutive years. Dr. Dasguupta is also on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Bangalore. Recognized by DMA Asia as a marketing Ace, Dr. Dasguupta is a LinkedIn Top Voice, advocate of social impact, driven by kaizen, Ankoor believes in the power of Energy and Energize

Dr. Ankoor is practicing his PCC (Level 2) coaching from the gold standard International Coaching Federation [ICF]. He is a people's person and has worked across functions in senior leadership positions in marketing, advertising, media & communication with a pedigree of 24 years and ongoing exciting journey. Trained from Dale Carnegie in Mentoring to Develop Talent, Ankoor is a marketing practitioner, a coach, a knowledge manager, a team builder, a thought-leader, an avid writer with close to 100 published articles / interviews and is a Thought Leader. Dr.Ankoor wears the hat of a CMO as well. His leisure pursuits are reading, effective listening and percussion. Follow Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta on LinkedIn| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoordasguupta/