CXO Series: Suresh Narayanan inspires XLRI students with leadership insights
Jamshedpur, June 12: XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur, hosted an extraordinary session under its prestigious CXO Series, featuring Suresh Narayanan, Chairman & Managing Director of Nestlé India Ltd. On June 10, 2025, the respected corporate leader delivered a deeply reflective and transformative masterclass on “Leadership in Times of Crisis,” offering students first-hand insights from one of the most pivotal moments in Indian business history—the 2015 Maggi crisis.
In a packed auditorium of future leaders, Narayanan spoke with remarkable humility and clarity, distilling lessons learned during a time when Nestlé India was under intense public and regulatory scrutiny. Far from being a conventional corporate lecture, the session became a case study in authentic leadership, human values and resilient decision-making.
“Times of crisis reveal your true character and leadership abilities,” Narayanan emphasized, setting the tone for a session that merged business acumen with personal ethos.
Drawing on his experience of steering Nestlé India through unprecedented reputational turbulence, he outlined a precise framework for crisis response. The key pillars he presented were:
- Clarity over confusion: Clearly define the problem before acting.
- Prioritize assessment: Understand the scale and implications.
- Strategize actions: Track progress and determine next steps.
- Trust in facts, not assumptions: Build decisions on verified data.
- Define accountability: Assign roles to avoid ambiguity.
- Lead with reason, not emotion: Anchor responses in logic and truth.
The session struck a chord beyond management frameworks. Mr. Narayanan’s core message on authenticity and credibility in leadership—especially under pressure—was both a reminder and a challenge to the young audience. “Be visible, be vocal, be human,” he urged.
A powerful and symbolic moment came during the lamp-lighting ceremony, when Mr. Narayanan removed his footwear before stepping forward—a simple yet profound gesture that reflected his humility and respect, leaving a lasting impression on the XLRI community.
The event also carried personal resonance for many in the audience, who grew up seeing Maggi not just as a brand, but as a cultural touchstone. To hear the story of its turnaround from the man at the helm was both intellectually illuminating and emotionally stirring.
XLRI Jamshedpur expresses sincere appreciation to Suresh Narayanan for sharing his time, wisdom and lived experience with the next generation of business leaders. His commitment to values-based leadership stands as a testament to the kind of excellence XLRI aims to nurture—leadership rooted in integrity, empathy and purpose.
