Q. How did your time at INSEAD shape your approach to leadership and management?
I believe when you start feeling too comfortable in your shoes, it's a sign that you need to shake things up. INSEAD was that wake-up call for me. It reminded me of the power of going back to the basics. Revisiting the fundamentals brought incredible clarity to my thought process and helped me realign my approach to leadership and management.
But INSEAD did not just refresh the fundamentals, it added layers of context. The global perspective, the exposure to diverse cultures, and the holistic view of life and business shifted a lot within me. The learning was deeply application-oriented. I picked up practical hacks that genuinely expanded my bandwidth and helped me strike a better balance between personal and professional life.
What stayed with me the most are the values you naturally absorb at INSEAD. You begin to appreciate the significance of big goals and the crucial role of small, consistent efforts in achieving them. The experience also gave me a strong network of like-minded leaders, a support group that continues to grow and evolve with me.
If I had to sum it up, INSEAD demystified leadership and management. It made things simpler, clearer, and a lot more human.
Q. Your role at Reliance Jio is incredibly impactful. Could you share how you became part of the Jio story, and what drew you to the organization at that time?
I had the privilege of working with Reliance during the foundational phase of its Retail business. Being part of the core Human Resources team for the launch of Reliance Retail was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. It was a rare opportunity to build something at scale, from the ground up, and witness the transformation of an entire industry.
My association with Reliance Jio began very early, back in 2012, when the idea was still taking shape. There were three things that drew me in – vision, purpose, and the immense scope for learning. The organization’s vision to improve the quality of life for people across India was incredibly inspiring. I could sense the magnitude of what was being attempted and the once in a lifetime learning opportunity that came with setting up a new age digital organization from scratch.
Looking back, it has truly delivered on its promise. The journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, full of innovation, scale, and impact.
Q. You've had the opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi — could you share what that experience was like and what leadership insights you took away from it?
Meeting the Prime Minister of your country is a rare and deeply humbling honour. I had the privilege of experiencing this a few years ago when I was invited to meet him at his residence. The entire interaction was extraordinary. Despite his immense responsibilities, he made me feel like he had all the time in the world for our conversation.
Later that evening, I saw on the news that he had already attended four high-level meetings that day and was scheduled to meet global leaders abroad the very next morning.
During our meeting, I had the joy of presenting him my book, Nothing About Business, a heartfelt collection of micro stories.
After accepting it warmly, he smiled and said something I’ll never forget, “Tell your wife that the Prime Minister gave you a hug.”
Q. You've inspired many through your TEDx and public speaking engagements — what role has public speaking played in your professional journey, and how can young professionals build that confidence?
I studied in a Hindi medium school and, in those early years, I struggled with speaking English. I still remember the time I went on stage during a school assembly for an impromptu speech. I completely fumbled and felt like I had made a fool of myself. But I never gave up. I kept trying, kept learning, and kept pushing myself to improve. Over time, those small steps turned into big strides.
Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve delivered five TEDx talks and spoken at hundreds of events, confidently sharing my thoughts with audiences across the world.
Q. What motivated you to write The Storytelling Leader, and how did you approach the writing process?
I was born in a house full of books, and from a young age, I dreamed of writing one of my own. But as life moved forward, that dream quietly slipped into the background. It wasn’t until after my time at INSEAD that I began writing again.
I knew writing a full book was a huge undertaking, so I started small, with short stories. To my surprise, people really connected with them.
Encouraged by the response, I compiled those stories into a book titled Nothing About Business. The book received a lot of love and appreciation, and soon, I was approached with multiple offers to write more. That journey led to writing several books and contributing to a few others.
The Storytelling Leader is the sequel to Nothing About Business, featuring 99 microstories drawn from real experiences. These stories have resonated with millions on LinkedIn, reinforcing my belief in the power of storytelling to inspire, connect, and lead.
Q. What qualities or mindsets should students and fresh graduates develop today to be future-ready professionals in the corporate world?
The foundational skills of comprehension, clear communication (regardless of language), analytical thinking, and digital fluency are what truly make someone future-ready. For students and fresh graduates, the key is to build knowledge and sharpen skills in areas that genuinely interest them.
When you pursue something you’re curious about, passion follows naturally. And when you're passionate, hard work doesn’t feel like a burden. It becomes a joy. Learning becomes deeper, confidence grows stronger, and every step brings you closer to your goals.
Bio
Bio
Harjeet Khanduja is an international speaker, author, poet, influencer, inventor and an HR leader. He is also known as RK Laxman of Business. He is currently working as the Senior Vice President HR at Reliance Jio. He has 4 published patents and authored 7 bestseller books.
Harjeet has been a LinkedIn Power Profile, TEDx speaker, Guest Faculty at IIM Ahmedabad, Board Member of Federation of World Academics, Global Thought Leader, Global Digital Ambassador. Harjeet features in Top 200 Global Leadership Voices and ET Top 20 HR Influencers.
Interviewed by Hannah Gauhar
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
){kind=link}
0 Comments