Ajai Puri, Ex-COO, Bharti Airtel India & SE Asia
- Ajai is the Ex-Chief Operating Officer of Bharti Airtel India and Southeast Asia.
- He has been the longest serving member of the Airtel management board, and he has served as the chairman of the cellular operators Association India during 2020 to 2022.
Podcast
Overview
A deep dive into Ajai Puri’s leadership journey across FMCG, media, and telecom—uncovering his principles on humility, people-centric leadership, building high-performing teams, and shaping ethical cultures. From Airtel’s rise to his impact as a mentor and board member, Ajai shares timeless lessons and his commitment to giving back through SVP.
00:32- About Ajai Puri
- Ajai is the Ex-Chief Operating Officer of Bharti Airtel India and Southeast Asia.
- He has been the longest serving member of the Airtel management board, and he has served as the chairman of the cellular operators Association India during 2020 to 2022.
07:43- How do you define mentorship and use it to develop future leaders?
- Mentorship is defined by consistent role-modeling—your behavior, values, ownership, and humility become daily lessons for everyone observing you.
- It involves demonstrating entrepreneurial thinking, risk-taking, and continually pushing for growth, which inspires others to aim higher.
- True mentorship removes hierarchy, making people feel safe, respected, and empowered—whether through simple actions, humility, or working alongside them in real situations.
13:21- What challenges do boards face in balancing shareholder interests, long-term sustainability, and independent directors’ needs?
- Balancing shareholder interests and long-term sustainability is not a conflict—both align when the focus is on building a strong, enduring business model.
- The real challenge lies in managing expectations of large, short-term–focused investors versus long-tail shareholders who benefit from sustainable growth.
- Boards must actively navigate these differing time horizons while ensuring independent directors can uphold governance and long-term value creation.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Ajai Puri: LinkedIn
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Profile
- Ajai is the Ex-Chief Operating Officer of Bharti Airtel India and Southeast Asia.
- He has been the longest serving member of the Airtel management board, and he has served as the chairman of the cellular operators Association India during 2020 to 2022.
