The year 2026 marked ten years of DNA of Leadership, a leadership development initiative of Global Talent Company headed by renowned management leader D.K.Bakshi. Over the past decade, the programme has focused on strengthening leadership capabilities across sectors, with particular relevance to human resource leaders navigating organisational change, workforce transformation, and evolving people strategies.
The milestone edition of the programme was held on 9-10 February 2026 at Radisson Blu Plaza. The sessions were designed around the realities of today’s business and workforce environment, which continues to be shaped by disruption and uncertainty. Discussions reflected on the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organisational structures, hybrid work models, and employee expectations. The programme also addressed the implications of rapid technological change, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and automation, on roles, skills, and leadership behaviours.
The inaugural session was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Kiran Bedi, with Guest of Honour Shri Anupam Kher and special guest Dr. Sandeep Marwah. Esteemed panelists including Suresh Tripathi (Independent Director, Jakson Green), Geeta Jadhav (President & CHRO, SRF Limited), Sanjeev Sharma, and Preemita Singh (President & CHRO, Havells), contributed insights drawn from diverse domains of leadership and governance. From an HR perspective, the programme highlighted how leadership has moved beyond traditional management to become a critical enabler of organisational resilience and sustainability. Sessions explored how leadership decisions influence trust, engagement, performance, and culture, particularly during periods of transformation. Emphasis was placed on the responsibility of leaders to align business strategy with people practices while responding to external pressures such as geopolitical shifts and economic volatility. Panel discussions formed a key component of the programme, offering practitioner-led insights into leadership, governance, and workforce management. These conversations drew from experiences across corporate, institutional, and social contexts, providing participants with multiple perspectives on leading people through complexity and uncertainty.
Since its inception, the initiative has engaged senior professionals from a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, infrastructure, automotive, energy, education, and the social sector. Participating organisations have included Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Havells, Larsen & Toubro, SRF, PTC India, Victura Automotive, Neolite, NBCC, SMS, JSW MG Motor, Caparo, SSIM, Sulabh International, Shri Ram Pistons, Ambedkar University, and Manav Rachna University. The diversity of participants has enabled cross-industry dialogue on leadership and people management practices. The learning design combined reflective discussions with immersive experiences, encouraging participants to examine their own leadership styles and decision-making approaches. The programme underscored the importance of self-awareness, ethical judgement, and consistency in leadership actions, especially as organisations manage change at scale. For HR leaders, the discussions reinforced the role of leadership development as a continuous process rather than a one-time intervention. As DNA of Leadership enters its second decade, the initiative is expected to continue addressing leadership development through the lens of changing workforce dynamics, emerging technologies, and the growing emphasis on purpose-driven and people-centric organisations. For HR professionals, the programme reflects the increasing integration of leadership capability with talent strategy, culture building, and long-term organisational effectiveness.
