We need to redefine success: Coca-Cola Senior Director Aarti Sharma advocates spiritual leadership in business

XLRI hosts first spirituality conclave, urges lasting positive impact

Jamshedpur, February 15: The XLRI Spirituality Conclave 2025 concluded successfully at Fr. Tome Auditorium, Xavier School of Management, with a call to integrate spirituality into business leadership. The event, organized by the Centre for Spirituality, XLRI, in collaboration with international partners, brought together scholars, corporate leaders, and thought leaders to explore the role of spirituality in ethical decision-making and sustainable corporate practices.

Delivering one of the most impactful addresses of the conclave, Aarti Sharma, Senior Director at The Coca-Cola Company, West India, emphasized the need to redefine success in business. Speaking on “Redefining Success: The Spiritual Edge in Business,” she highlighted that spirituality is not about retreating from material goals but about engaging with them more meaningfully and ethically.

“We need to redefine success,” she asserted, “not just as financial gain but as the ability to create lasting, positive impacts in our organizations and communities.” She cautioned that the relentless pursuit of profit often leads businesses away from their moral and social responsibilities, and the antidote lies in leadership rooted in spiritual wisdom.

Sharma outlined three key principles for integrating spirituality into business leadership:

1. Authenticity in Leadership – A spiritual mindset fosters self-awareness, enabling leaders to act with integrity.
2. Empathy and Human-Centric Decision-Making – Businesses must prioritize genuine human connections to build motivated teams.
3. Resilience Through Mindfulness – Mindfulness helps leaders navigate uncertainty and make wise decisions.

Her speech set the stage for engaging panel discussions, reinforcing the importance of spirituality in corporate strategies.

Panel Discussions: Exploring Spirituality in Business

The conclave featured three thought-provoking panel discussions:

• Panel 1: Drawing from Wisdom Traditions – Led by Fr. Alwyn Rodrigues, SJ, this discussion examined insights from Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and indigenous traditions.
• Panel 2: Dancing to Diversity – Chaired by Dr. Fr. Vincent Pereppadan, SJ, this session explored how spiritual perspectives enhance leadership and workplace inclusivity.
• Panel 3: The Paradox of Human Flourishing – Led by Dr. Fr. Joseph Mathew, SJ, this panel discussed how spirituality helps individuals and businesses balance success with fulfillment.

Earlier, the event commenced with a solemn prayer and lamp-lighting ceremony, led by Dr. Fr. Donald D’Silva, SJ, Dean of Administration & Finance, XLRI. Key addresses were delivered by Dr. Fr. Somy M Mathew, SJ (CSIF, JCSA, New Delhi), Dr. Fr. Marianus Kujur, SJ (Director, XISS, Ranchi), and other distinguished speakers, each offering unique perspectives on spirituality in business.

The valedictory session, chaired by Dr. Fr. Somy M Mathew, SJ, reflected on key takeaways from the conclave. Certificates of participation were distributed by Dr. Fr. Joseph Mathew, SJ, and Dr. Fr. Vincent Pereppadan, SJ, in recognition of panelists and attendees.

Fr. Kuruvilla Pandikattu, SJ, chief organizer of the event, expressed satisfaction with the conclave’s success. He emphasized its role in bringing together 30 insightful presentations and 70 engaged participants, reinforcing the interdisciplinary dimension of spirituality.

“This event has shown us that spirituality is not confined to religious traditions but serves as a bridge between diverse disciplines, fostering holistic decision-making in business and leadership,” he remarked.

With discussions on mindfulness, ethics, and leadership, the conclave reinforced the relevance of spirituality in today’s corporate world, urging business leaders to embrace a more values-driven and responsible approach to success.