Leadership rooted in humanity and diversity creates lasting legacies: ISB Dean Dr. Madan Pillutla at XLRI Jamshedpur

XLRI hosts international conference on respect in business and leadership

Jamshedpur, January 13: XLRI – Xavier School of Management, in collaboration with the JRD Tata Foundation for Business Ethics, organized a transformative three-day International Conference on Respect in Business and Leadership from January 9 to 11, 2025. The event highlighted the integration of respect into leadership and business practices, promoting ethical frameworks for a sustainable and inclusive global future.

The inaugural ceremony on January 9, 2025, was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Soni Sinha, Chief Ethics Counsellor at Tata Steel, who remarked, “Respect is not a mere principle but a binding force that harmonizes organizational success with social good.”

Prof. Dr. Madan Pillutla, Dean of the Indian School of Business and Chief Guest, emphasized, “Leadership that respects humanity and diversity will always transcend profit-driven motives to create lasting legacies.”

Other notable speakers included Prof. Sanjay Patro, Dean (Academics), XLRI, described respect as “the invisible currency that fuels ethical leadership,” and Fr. Donald D’Silva SJ, Dean (Admin-Finance), highlighted the significance of daily actions in fostering respect.

A major highlight of the conference was the launch of Fr. Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ’s book, Ethical Leadership and Sustainable Practices, where he noted, “Sustainable leadership rests on the unshakeable foundation of respect.”

On January 10, XLRI introduced EthicoSphere, a pioneering platform to promote ethical leadership in academia and industry. Dr. Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, delivered the keynote, stating, “The shift from compliance to value-driven governance is essential for sustainable progress.”

Fr. George Sebastian, Director of XLRI, emphasized, “EthicoSphere is an initiative where integrity meets innovation, creating a blueprint for ethical ecosystems across industries.”

Complementing this, Soni Sinha remarked, “Platforms like EthicoSphere encourage us to confront systemic challenges and find ethical solutions that align with global priorities.”

Prominent speakers, including Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani (IIM Raipur), Prof. Pawan Kumar Singh (IIM Tiruchirappalli), and Prof. Sriram Narayanan (Michigan State University), emphasized respect as a cornerstone of innovation and sustainable leadership. Industry leaders like Praveen Kumar (Microsoft) and Saurav Kumar (Amadeus Labs) highlighted the role of respect in fostering trust and collaboration.

As the conference concluded, XLRI reaffirmed its commitment to shaping ethical leaders and fostering respect in global business practices. The legacy of EthicoSphere aims to inspire ongoing research and collaboration, ensuring a sustained focus on ethics and respect in leadership. XLRI plans to host EthicoSphere Dialogues annually, inviting thinkers and practitioners to share insights and best practices.