Gulur Venkatesh (GRV): While all the 10 Tenets of Leadership Capital are integral to how we operate and lead at Reliance Retail, two tenets particularly resonate with me: People Capital and Integrity Capital.

People Capital speaks directly to the essence of my role as a leader in the HR function. It's about creating an environment where individuals can thrive, grow, and contribute their best. From launching structured career development initiatives to fostering mental well-being through dedicated support systems, I see People Capital as the bedrock of a strong, sustainable organisation.

Integrity Capital, on the other hand, forms the moral compass for everything we do. Honesty and uprightness are non-negotiable, and I've always believed that trust—built on a foundation of integrity—is the most valuable currency in leadership.

Whether it's ensuring transparency in policies or leading by example, this tenet ensures that our decisions remain ethical and fair. These two tenets, in harmony, shape how I lead, support teams, and contribute to Reliance's broader vision of building a better future.

Could you share a few examples of 10 Tenets in action?

GRV: The 10 Tenets of Leadership Capital come to life in multiple ways across Reliance Retail. Here are a few examples that highlight their implementation:

1. People Capital: We prioritise creating meaningful opportunities for our employees. For instance, the Skill Schools Initiative equips pre-certified, role-ready talent for our businesses. This not only ensures job readiness but also provides individuals with sustainable career paths, embodying the value of "One Team."

2. Integrity Capital: Integrity is integral to how we conduct ourselves. For instance, our recruitment and talent management processes are designed to be meritocratic and transparent, ensuring fairness and building trust within the organisation.

3. Technology and Innovation Capital: With the scale of Reliance Retail's operations, which span across geographies and touch millions of lives daily, everything we do must be supported by a strong bedrock of technology. Whether it's our business operations, analytics, HR Management or advanced supply chain systems that ensure seamless operations, technology is the foundation that enables our growth and innovation.

4. Empathy Capital: During the pandemic, we rolled out mental health support initiatives like webinars on stress management and enhanced access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This reflects our commitment to understanding and addressing the emotional needs of our workforce.

5. Community Engagement Capital: Through the Reliance Foundation, we've touched millions of lives by investing in education, healthcare, and disaster relief. In Reliance Retail too, every store reaches out to the community around them in the catchment to ensure a spirit of goodwill through volunteering activities on issues of community interest.

6. Achievement and Capability Capital: Our learning ecosystem, featuring platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and RR-University, encourages employees to invest in self-development. This helps them build competencies, take ownership of outcomes, and achieve excellence.

7. Trust and Cooperation Capital: Collaborative projects such as cross-functional task forces to implement key initiatives, like the rollout of digital training certification for store managers, demonstrate how teamwork and trust drive success. These examples illustrate how the tenets not only guide our leadership philosophy but also shape tangible outcomes that reflect Reliance's values and aspirations.

How can colleagues imbibe these 10 Tenets to build their leadership capabilities at Reliance?

GRV: Colleagues can imbibe the 10 Tenets of Leadership Capital by integrating them into their daily work and personal growth journey. Here's how they can approach it:

1. Integrity Capital: Make honesty and uprightness your guiding principles. Always act ethically, even when faced with challenges. Leadership begins with trust, and trust stems from integrity.

2. People Capital: Focus on collaboration and empathy. Take an active interest in the growth of your team members by mentoring, sharing feedback, and recognising their contributions. Remember, building “One Team" starts with small, consistent actions.

3. Relationship and Trust Capital: Build meaningful connections within and outside the organisation. Be dependable, keep commitments, and always communicate transparently. Mutual respect fosters stronger relationships and earns trust.

4. Cooperation Capital: Embrace teamwork. Look for opportunities to collaborate with peers and contribute to shared goals. Being open to diverse perspectives can lead to innovative solutions and deeper cooperation.

5. Empathy Capital: Enhance your emotional intelligence by actively listening and understanding others' viewpoints. Small acts, like being available for a colleague or appreciating their efforts, can go a long way in building empathy.

6. Achievement and Capability Capital: Set clear goals for yourself and invest in skill-building. Use resources like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and R-University to enhance your knowledge. Take ownership of your growth and seek feedback to align your capabilities with organisational needs.

7. Technology and Innovation Capital: Stay curious about technological advancements and find ways to incorporate them into your work. At Reliance, scale and innovation go hand in hand, so embrace tools and platforms that make your processes smarter and more efficient.

8. Community Engagement Capital: Participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives or volunteer opportunities driven by the Reliance Foundation. Contributing to the community reinforces the value of "We Care" and builds a sense of purpose. By consciously reflecting on these tenets and aligning them with day-to-day actions, colleagues can develop a wellrounded leadership style that not only enhances their individual performance but also contributes to Reliance's broader vision of excellence and care.

Can you share a few insights from your journey as a leader?

GRV: My journey as a leader has been a continuous process of learning, evolving, and striving to create impact. Here are a few key insights that have shaped my leadership philosophy:

1. People first, always: One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that investing in people is the cornerstone of sustainable success. Whether it's creating structured development programmes or fostering a culture of empathy, I've seen that when people feel valued, they consistently outperform expectations.

2. Integrity as a non-negotiable: Integrity is not just about being honest—it's about consistency between words and actions. Leading by example, being transparent in decision-making, and standing by ethical principles have been pivotal in building trust across teams.

3. Adaptability is key: In a dynamic environment like retail, change is the only constant. I've learned to embrace change, whether it's adopting new technologies, pivoting strategies, or recalibrating talent management frameworks to align with evolving business needs.

4. Ownership mindset: Taking ownership of challenges and outcomes has been a defining aspect of my leadership journey. It's about instilling a sense of accountability— not just in myself but also in my teams—while empowering them to take pride in their contributions.

5. Empathy elevates leadership: Leadership is not just about results; it's about understanding people, their challenges, and their aspirations. Whether it's a tough decision or a celebration of success, empathy ensures that every action strengthens the bond between the leader and the team.

6. Leveraging technology and innovation: As a leader in an organisation of this scale, I've realised that technology is not just an enabler but a critical pillar for success. Whether it's enhancing workforce management systems or driving operational excellence through innovation, staying ahead of the curve has been crucial.

7. Community and purpose matter: One of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey has been contributing to Reliance's initiatives that make a tangible difference in society. Knowing that our work impacts millions of lives gives purpose to everything we do.