Unleashed Conversations with Srinivas Uppaluri

Hosted by Srinivas Uppaluri

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Apr 2026

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About the show

As a coach, Srinivas Uppaluri has worked with several business leaders, over the last decade, to help them realise their intrinsic potential. Unleashed is a collection of stories of these individual transformations. In this series of podcasts, Srini discusses pertinent themes that are relevant for professionals, and business leaders alike. He discusses these with industry stalwarts and the key takeaways from these conversations are being curated as a series of podcasts - Unleashed Conversations - for you to begin the journey of reflecting on these issues.

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29 recent

April 29, 202632 min

Ep. 24: Building Faith in Self - Shaping Markets.

In this episode of Unleashed, the conversation moves beyond chasing titles to a more meaningful idea—building conviction to shape markets and create impact.Divya Momaya and Neha Shah, founders of MentorMyBoard, share how gaps in governance, compliance, and board readiness inspired them to build a platform focused on better directors, stronger boards, and more effective organizations. Their journey reflects the realities of building from scratch—navigating resistance, rebuilding platforms, investing personal capital, and earning credibility over time.Alongside, Guru Sowle reflects on building cross-border ecosystems—connecting networks, enabling collaboration, and translating ideas into influence across markets.At its core, this episode explores:Building faith in your own path despite uncertaintyCreating credibility before recognition followsStaying committed to ideas that others don’t yet see

March 6, 202635 min

Ep. 23: Building Faith in Self - Finding Your True Path

In this episode of Unleashed, we explore why so many professionals chase titles and recognition instead of building passion, impact, and self-confidence. We draw on stories of a young employee devastated by a missed promotion and a leader driven by family expectations. Our guests, Khurshed Batliwala, Rishikesha Krishnan, Debu Mishra, and Guru Sowle, discuss how societal pressure, especially in India, creates a fear of failure and low tolerance for mistakes. They also discuss how companies in India add organizational layers to meet the demand for frequent promotions. The conversation emphasizes giving yourself space to fail, focusing on contribution over labels, building personal credibility beyond brand names, and using meditation and yoga to strengthen self-belief, manage anxiety, and unlock full potential.

January 8, 202635 min

Ep. 22: Building Your Own Vision - Balancing Tradition and Innovation: Families and the Rise of Professionals

In this episode of Unleashed, we explore how multi-generation family businesses are successfully integrating professionals to scale their operations. Featuring insights from Rishikesha Krishnan, Sonu Bhasin, Sandeep Maini, Raju Shete, Krishna Shete, Ketan Patel, and Ravi Saxena, the episode delves into the challenges and strategies of grooming professionals, delegation, maintaining family values, and ensuring business growth. Our guests discuss their experiences with leadership transitions, maintaining trust, and building a strong organisational culture. Join us for an in-depth discussion on blending tradition with professional management for sustainable success.

November 20, 202539 min

Ep. 21: Building Your Own Vision - Transitioning and Working with the Next Generation

In this episode of Unleashed, we explore the seamless transition of leadership in successful family businesses from one generation to the next. Featuring Sonu Bhasin, a family business historian, alongside Krishna and Arjun Shete of the Planet Group, Ketan Patel of Troikaa Pharmaceuticals, and Sandeep Maini of the Maini Group, we delve into how the older generation facilitates the next-gen to take over and build upon their foundation. You will hear insights on overcoming generational gaps, fostering open communication, and the role of external work experience in preparing inheritors for leadership roles.

October 9, 202532 min

Ep. 20: Building Your Own Vision - Building Through Passion, Innovation, and Empowerment

In this episode of Unleashed, we dive into stories of passionate Indian entrepreneurs who have built world-class businesses. Featuring Sandeep Kumar Maini from the Maini Group, Raju Shete from Planet Group, Ketan Patel from Troikaa Pharma, and Ravi Saxena from Wonderchef, the episode explores their journeys, the challenges they faced, and their relentless focus on quality and customer satisfaction. We also discuss how some of these pioneers laid the foundations for long-term success, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

August 18, 202539 min

Ep. 19: Wearing Stakeholders' Shoes - Ensuring Sustainable Change in Communities

In this episode of Unleashed, we delve into the intricacies of sustainable change management in development sectors. Featuring discussions with Pavan Mamidi, Shiv Kumar, Dr. Y. Lingaraju, we cover a broad range of topics from building aspirations and ensuring adoption to managing multiple stakeholders and institutional ownership. Key insights include the importance of community ownership, addressing structural issues, and maintaining the dignity of the communities involved. Real-world examples, like ensuring HIV vaccinations for sex workers and iron supplements for pregnant women, illustrate the necessity of localized and adaptive solutions for effective change. We discover that trust, empathy, and co-creation are crucial components in the journey from invention to innovation.

August 1, 202541 min

Ep. 18: Wearing Stakeholders' Shoes - Innovative Change Management in the Development Sector

In this episode of Unleashed, we delve into the challenges and solutions in the development sector. We discuss stakeholder management, behavioral changes, and the implementation of large-scale projects with extraordinary leaders Dr. Y Lingaraju, Pavan Mamidi, and Shiv Kumar. Learn from their experiences in river rejuvenation projects, grassroots initiatives, and the crucial intersection of academic innovations and governmental practicality. Tune in for insights on how to effectively drive developmental changes with community ownership and stakeholder engagement.

February 6, 202536 min

Ep. 17: Wearing Stakeholders' Shoes - Building Stakeholder Commitment and Ownership

In this episode, I continue our exploration of change management with industry leaders Praveena, Pankaj, and Dan. We delve into how organizations can maximize the potential of new technologies and business models by focusing on two crucial aspects: helping stakeholders understand and embrace the full possibilities of change, and ensuring their active engagement throughout the transformation journey. Through real-world examples and expert insights, we discuss practical approaches to driving sustainable organizational change that delivers lasting value.

January 6, 202531 min

Ep. 16: Wearing Stakeholders' Shoes: Change Management in the Era of Business and Digital Transformation

Join us in this episode of Unleashed Conversations as we explore the intricacies of change management during digital transformation. I begin with sharing my experiences working with a large manufacturing company to integrate emerging technologies and improve operational efficiency. We talk about key challenges such as stakeholder buy-in, aligning with business objectives, and the necessity of parallel projects. I am joined by Pankaj Rai, Dan Powers, and Praveena Ravanavarapu, who share their expert insights on effective change management frameworks, aligning technology with business strategy, and the importance of comprehensive operational changes. Discover actionable strategies for ensuring that new technologies deliver their full potential.

November 13, 20244 min

Unleashed Insights 04: Eligibility to Rise to the CXO's Level

In this episode, Shashi delves into the essential qualities for transitioning to a CXO role. He explores the importance of mental toughness and emotional intelligence, discussing how candidates need to demonstrate capability at both operational and board levels. Shashi shares real-life examples and insights, emphasizing that being functionally and operationally strong isn't sufficient. Mental and emotional bandwidth are crucial for handling complex issues and managing diverse teams effectively. Tune in to understand the critical traits required for making it to the CXO level.