1st June 2025
Sales and Leadership Wisdom from the Leaders, Mr Govind Shrikhande, Ex MD & CEO, Shoppers Stop
I asked Mr Govind Shrikhande, Ex MD & CEO, Shoppers Stop: What are three to five important traits expected of a leader today in the retail industry versus when you started?
I think today the two biggest traits expected from a leader are a focus on innovation and an understanding of technology and disruption. While some of the core qualities of leadership will never change the core quality of leadership will always revolve around developing teams.
The bigger change that I see on the ground is that ,I might be a great leader during normal times but I might not be a great leader when times are disruptive. For Example, I might not be a great leader when business is going through a -30 percent degrowth. Then, I might just flounder. I could be good when it is +10 percent growth. Most leaders are wired towards steady growth, and when it comes to disruption, many of us flounder and that’s a problem in terms of leadership skills. So how do I adapt? Flexibility and nimbleness have come into play today. And I also believe that apart from innovation, nimbleness is important. Integrity along with Team building still remain as key competencies. Those cannot change, but changing the management mindset is important, which wasn’t so earlier. I still remember my bosses who always told me, “Thik hai beta, koi problem nahi hai, hota hai,” or “It will get better, things will improve.” Now you cannot say that. Now you have to be also objective along with having an execution plan. If you don’t have that, things are not going to turn around by themselves.
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