The Payal Nanjiani Leadership Podcast

Why Most Leaders Never Make It To The C-Suite EP 413

HOW TO BUILD A CAREER EP 412

Rajeev Sharma | Cluster Managing Director - India, Nepal & Bangladesh, G4S. INTRODUCTION : Rajeev Sharma, Cluster Managing Director – India, Nepal & Bangladesh, G4S, An Allied Universal® Company, has had a long and successful journey with G4S. Prior to this role, he was the Country Managing Director, G4S India, and has contributed significantly to the growth of the overall business. Previously, Rajeev has also worked in the UK, where he was successful at integrating acquired assets for the company. He has over 30 years of cross-industry and offshore experience leading teams to deliver sustainable business, innovative solutions, and launch many industry firsts. As a stealth leader and strategist, he connects downward, upward, and across businesses, actualizing the value. Maximizing “management by walking around", he champions, energizes, and unifies all stakeholders. Prior to joining G4S, Rajeev worked as Head of Cargo Business with Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. Previously, he has worked in various roles as Vice President for D&J business with Brinks Inc., Director Guarding & International business with Tops Security Limited. The initial years of his career were with Gati and Elbee (UPS). Rajeev has tremendous exposure in the financial management of the business and is hands-on with M&A projects, has managed multiple acquisitions, including a cross-border acquisition in the security space. Rajeev is extremely well networked within the corporate space and enjoys a reputation of being a straight shooter and highly versatile. He is Chair of the FICCI PSI Committee and President of The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India (EU Chambers). He belongs to Mumbai and currently lives with his wife in Gurugram. Rajeev has a son who is a certified flight instructor from USA and is currently based in Mumbai.

LAWS OF THE JUNGLE EP 411

Amit Sircar | Chairman ,Novulis I nc Amit Sircar built a reputation as a visionary leader — helping organizations scale borders,craft global delivery models, building and leading global teams and drive meaningful transformation. Having shaped digital landscapes, he turned his lens to a new horizon -where the world still breathes its original rhythm, to the primordial grace of a land unscripted,and where wilderness still whispers the language of creation. Amit Sircar – Photojournalist, is on a mission to connect hearts with heritage, people, and the majesty of the great outdoors, through compelling imagery and storytelling. He is soon launching his brand - ‘The World is My Oyster’ which invites you to rediscover India’s soul,explore global cultures, bask in nature’s unspoiled poetry, and to help preserve and protect what should never be lost.This isn’t just photography. It’s a new beginning. From mentoring top organizations to now tracing through time worn corridors and untamed lands, his journey reflects a shift from building digital futures to preserving timeless moments. Now, Amit walks the wild, climbs through ruins, and traces stories etched in time. From ancient civilizations to untamed wilderness, his photography tells tales of silence, strength,and stillness — moments that move without saying a word. Capturing the world not in data,but in raw, untouched beauty.

Innovation in an AI World EP 410

Tom Pullen | Director, Innovinco , Author of INNOVATOR Tom Pullen is an innovation expert, author of INNOVATOR , and founder of Innovinco® , a firm accelerating growth in global corporations. Formerly the Global Innovation Director at Danone, he helps companies build innovation culture, capability, and confidence. He is also a speaker and creator of the Innovinco® Way® framework. Key Expertise & Background Founder of Innovinco®: Founded in 2017, the firm specializes in driving growth through structured innovation for large enterprises, including Unilever, L'Oréal, Coca-Cola, and Danone. Corporate Innovation Leader: Spent 18 years in major corporations (Boots, Mars, Danone) before transitioning to advisory roles. Author & Speaker: Author of the book INNOVATOR and an award-winning keynote/TEDx speaker. Academic & Creator: Holds an Executive MBA with an Innovation major from HEC Paris, where he also teaches, and developed the INNOVATOR Way® framework. Core Philosophy Actionable Innovation: Focuses on moving from theory to practical application to boost innovation performance. Overcoming Corporate Barriers: Helps companies move beyond "safe" incrementalism to tackle the challenges of culture and execution in large organizations. Defining Innovation: Defines it as a combination of novelty, value creation, and real-world existence, rather than just ideas. Tom Pullen is an innovation expert, author of INNOVATOR , and founder of Innovinco® , a firm accelerating growth in global corporations. Formerly the Global Innovation Director at Danone, he helps companies build innovation culture, capability, and confidence. He is also a speaker and creator of the Innovinco® Way® framework. Key Expertise & Background Founder of Innovinco®: Founded in 2017, the firm specializes in driving growth through structured innovation for large enterprises, including Unilever, L'Oréal, Coca-Cola, and Danone. Corporate Innovation Leader: Spent 18 years in major corporations (Boots, Mars, Danone) before transitioning to advisory roles. Author & Speaker: Author of the book INNOVATOR and an award-winning keynote/TEDx speaker. Academic & Creator: Holds an Executive MBA with an Innovation major from HEC Paris, where he also teaches, and developed the INNOVATOR Way® framework. Core Philosophy Actionable Innovation: Focuses on moving from theory to practical application to boost innovation performance. Overcoming Corporate Barriers: Helps companies move beyond "safe" incrementalism to tackle the challenges of culture and execution in large organizations. Defining Innovation: Defines it as a combination of novelty, value creation, and real-world existence, rather than just ideas.

How Women Become Their Own Biggest Barrier EP 409

Guneet Hayer | Founder & Managing Director, Eminence Group Guneet is the Founder and Director of Eminence Group Ventures FZCO, a company that delivers conferences, training programs, workshops, and customized learning solutions across India, the Middle East, and the GCC region. With over 18 years of cross-industry experience, she brings a strong background in information technology, enabling her to leverage the latest tools and platforms to create engaging, interactive, and high-impact events. As the leader of Eminence Group, Guneet oversees the company’s strategy and operations while managing and guiding a talented, dynamic team of professionals. She also leads key client relationships and business development, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, tailored programs that meet the specific needs of diverse markets. Guneet strongly values diversity and inclusion and is deeply committed to empowering women and youth through her work, training programs, and initiatives. Her passion lies in creating innovative, meaningful experiences that foster learning, networking, and sustainable business growth for clients and partners alike.

HEALTH AND FITNESS EP 408

Pankaj Rai | Group Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt Ltd Pankaj Rai, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Aditya Birla Group, has been enabling the analytics maturity journey across group companies by solving problems leveraging Data Science, creating horizontal data platforms and developing people capabilities. He completed his graduation from IIT Delhi and Post Graduate Programme in Management from IIM Ahmedabad. He went on to spearhead teams across diverse portfolios including consulting, credit, six-sigma, strategy, analytics and digital across financial services and offshoring. During his career, he has been associated with companies like GE Capital, ICICI Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Feedback Ventures. He has served as Director (Strategy) at Dell, Bangalore for their offshore business and built the internal Analytics team. He also led Wells Fargo’s Global Delivery Strategy as Senior Vice President. He is a speaker in various leading platforms including TEDx.

ROADBLOCKSTO SUCCESS EP 407

Christopher Williams | Strategic Advisor, Independent Board Director, Christopher is a Fortune 500 growth strategy leader, business transformation consultant, and board director whose career spans 14 cities across four continents. He has worked with iconic brands including adidas, VF Corporation, Gap, and Nike, helping unlock transformation and drive sustainable growth. Working alongside high-performing teams, Christopher has led innovation, increased market share, managed complex organizational change, and developed the next generation of leaders across multiple markets. He believes that meaningful business transformation happens at the intersection of curiosity, strategic thinking, human connection, and courage. Passionate about balancing commercial success with meaningful impact, Christopher specializes in building sustainable growth strategies for global consumer brands. He has also been deeply committed to leadership development and education, most notably serving as the first President of African Leadership University, an innovative institution with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda dedicated to developing ethical leaders and entrepreneurial managers. Today, Christopher shares his expertise in several ways: as a New York Stock Exchange–screened and NACD-certified board executive, as President of Custament Partners supporting executive teams and boards through transformation, and as a speaker, panelist, and podcast guest on brand transformation and courageous leadership. His first book, Courage: 7 Choices for Living a Life Without Regret , which explores courage in leadership as an underutilized superpower, was released in November 2025.

ARE YOU TOO RELIABLE EP 406

THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE EP 405

Wg Cdr Vandana Chaudhary | (Retd) Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Vandana(Retd) is a veteran with 15 years of cross-functional leadership in the Indian Air Force as a Meteorological Officer. She has earned a wealth of multifaceted experience where she championed key functions, mainly Public Relations, Administration, and Program Management, infusing each endeavor with unwavering passion and commitment. Through her contributions in the social sector, she has strived for almost a decade to empower women, children with disabilities, and people below the poverty line, promoting overall well-being and stability in society. She has been committed to inclusivity, empathy & empowerment long before they became trendy terms in the market. By enabling a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, she built cohesive cross-functional teams capable of navigating uncertainty with resilience and grace. Whether managing significant budgets or directing complex projects, she has always approached her responsibilities with a blend of strategic foresight and hands-on leadership. Beyond work hours, she is an explorer who enjoys traveling and reading, deeply attuned to the tranquility of nature. With a penchant for observation, she explores the intricacies of human behavior, reflecting on life's purpose beyond mere existence. She also enjoys acquiring new skills that enrich her personal and professional life. As she moves on to the next chapter of her career, she is excited to leverage her military experience to make a difference by steering organizational growth and driving transformative change wherever she works.

THINKING AT THE SPEED OF CHANGE EP 404

Gunjan Shah | MD & CEO at Bata India Limited Gunjan is an accomplished leader with extensive experience across geographies and diverse industries, including paints, telecom, and food. Prior to joining Bata India Limited, he served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Britannia Industries. Over the course of his professional journey, he has worked across multiple functions encompassing sales, marketing, and supply chain. He has played a key role in both turnaround and growth initiatives. At Britannia, he also led the International Business and was instrumental in architecting one of the company’s most impactful strategy and business transformation initiatives. Gunjan holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Engineering from VJTI, Mumbai, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kolkata.