New Delhi, April 29, 2025: The entire campus of IILM Lodhi Road pulsed with energy and intellect this Thursday as students, faculty, and dignitaries gathered to witness a defining moment in the university’s calendar — the conferment of the IILM Distinguished Global Thinker Award to Professor Ranjay Gulati, renowned Harvard Business School professor and a globally acclaimed voice in the field of organisational leadership.
A scholar who comfortably bridges the worlds of academic precision and real-world transformation, Professor Gulati is known for challenging business orthodoxy and elevating conversations around what truly drives performance. From his dual undergraduate degrees at Washington State University and St. Stephen’s College, to a Master’s from MIT Sloan and a Ph.D. from Harvard, his journey is one of deep academic rigour and fearless curiosity.
As the 14th honouree in a celebrated line of global thinkers, Professor Gulati took the stage with a powerful keynote on his groundbreaking book “Deep Purpose: The Heart and Soul of High-Performance Organisations.” What followed was no ordinary academic session. It was a wake-up call; a rallying spark for leadership that dares to feel.
In a talk that felt more like an awakening than a lecture, Professor Gulati spoke candidly about the real purpose that is not just performative but profoundly embedded into the DNA of leadership. Students leaned in, faculty took notes, and minds visibly shifted gears. “Why do great companies fail?”. That question sparked an intense exploration. From denial to overconfidence, strategic drift to cultural inertia, he laid bare the importance of strategy that any great organisation should have. Drawing from his conversations with global changemakers, Gulati illustrated how purpose isn’t a poster on the wall, but a pulse that must start from within. “At Microsoft, they asked every employee to define their personal purpose before aligning with the company’s. Because how do you live a shared purpose if you’ve never sat with your own?”
Citing a quote that dates back to 1200 BC, he left the room with a lingering reflection: “You are what your deepest desire is. As your desire is, so is your intention. As your intention is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.”
Setting the tone for the evening was a warm welcome address by Dr. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director General of IILM. “We are proud to build not just professionals skilled in strategy, but leaders grounded in values and purpose. Through this award, we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing institutions and individuals who touch minds, hearts, and souls”, he said. Adding gravitas to the event was the Chief Guest, Retd. Justice Hima Kohli who graced the occasion with her presence. Justice Kohli, known for her judicial leadership and advocacy of mediation, environmental stewardship, and family law, reminded attendees of the moral compass required in all fields of leadership.
The evening wasn’t just about honouring a thinker. It was about igniting a generation, one ready to lead with soul, not just strategy. From budding entrepreneurs to future policymakers, students left the session visibly inspired. As the evening proved, IILM continues to set the launchpad for leaders who are rewriting the rules with clarity, courage, and conviction. Beyond the award, the lecture reflected IILM’s core philosophy of preparing future leaders to drive with deep purpose and a strategic mindset to create lasting impact.
