Cultivating Leadership, a global leader in leadership development, hosted two exclusive leadership sessions in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi and Mumbai. Led by renowned leadership expert Dr. Jennifer Garvey Berger, the sessions gathered India’s top business leaders to explore new approaches to navigating complexity and redefining leadership in today’s fast-changing corporate environment.

The event marked a special milestone—celebrating 15 years of CII's Leadership Centre of Excellence and its ongoing efforts to shape visionary leaders for Indian industry.

A Timely Discussion on Complexity in Leadership

With businesses facing rapid market shifts, technological disruptions, and evolving workforce dynamics, the sessions provided a crucial opportunity for leaders to rethink conventional leadership models. Through engaging conversations, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies, attendees explored strategies to embrace complexity rather than resist it.

Shweta Anand Arora, Director of Cultivating Leadership, India, highlighted the significance of this shift, stating,
"Complexity is not a challenge to be solved but a reality to be embraced. Jennifer’s insights have provided Indian leaders with practical tools to navigate uncertainty with confidence, shaping a more resilient and forward-thinking leadership culture."

Jennifer Garvey Berger on Leadership in an Uncertain World

Jennifer Garvey Berger, who has worked with global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Novartis, delved into the mental traps leaders often face and how they influence decision-making. Her two-hour workshops focused on adaptability, systemic thinking, and collaboration—critical skills for future-ready leaders.

Reflecting on her experience, Jennifer shared,
"The diversity in the room was incredible. Leaders from different industries came together, eager to learn and share. It was inspiring to see how deeply they engaged, embracing different perspectives and fostering meaningful conversations."

Industry Leaders Emphasize the Need for Leadership Evolution

Avijit Bhattacharya, Member of the CII National Committee on Leadership and HR & CHRO at Tata Capital Limited, reinforced the urgency of redefining leadership in today’s volatile world.
"With rapid technological disruption, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical shifts, traditional leadership models are struggling to keep pace. Leaders must embrace complexity, foster innovation, and build resilience to drive long-term success."

A Strategic Partnership for Leadership Development in India

Building on the momentum of these sessions, CII and Cultivating Leadership have signed an MoU to co-develop leadership programs for Indian corporates. This collaboration will focus on high-impact interventions, engaging global experts, and leveraging technology-enabled learning to equip Indian leaders for future challenges.

The sessions attracted top executives from leading organizations, including BCG, Apple, Godrej Agrovet, Samsonite, CP Plus, Hindalco, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Grant Thornton, Diageo, Deloitte, and many more—demonstrating the widespread industry interest in evolving leadership paradigms.

With Cultivating Leadership’s recent expansion into India through a joint venture with The Core Questin, these transformative events mark the beginning of a broader movement to reshape leadership development in the country.