Vedantic vision in leadership: The adaptive CEO

In an increasingly complex business environment, CEOs are called upon not just to manage but to truly lead through transformative vision.

This workshop uniquely combines the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita with contemporary insights from Adaptive Leadership from the work of Ronald Heifetz at Harvard, offering a profound blend of spiritual depth and practical leadership strategies.

Over three meticulously designed sessions spread across nine months, participants will delve into self-mastery, system understanding, and the application of Vedantic principles to everyday leadership challenges.

Key benefits

• Enhanced self-awareness: Deep insights into personal leadership styles and intrinsic motivations through the reflective practices of Vedanta.
• Strategic adaptability: Tools and strategies to navigate complex corporate landscapes and lead transformative change effectively.
• Holistic leadership skills: A balanced approach to leadership that incorporates self-mastery, responsibility, and a profound understanding of the interplay between personal actions and organizational dynamics.
• Sustained personal growth: Continued development through structured homework, follow-up sessions, and supportive learning pods.

Who should attend

This exclusive workshop is tailored for CEOs from diverse private, public, or non-profit sectors who seek to transcend traditional leadership paradigms and embrace a role that harmonises personal values with corporate objectives.

Programme coverage

This structured outline is designed to succinctly convey the unique value of the workshop, appealing directly to CEOs looking to enhance their leadership effectiveness through a blend of age-old wisdom and modern techniques.

• Session 1: Exploration of personal and organizational systems through the lens of the Bhagavad Gita and Adaptive Leadership frameworks. Key activities include setting personal intentions, understanding the dynamics within one’s organisation, and initiating a journey towards personal energy and mind mastery.
• Session 2: Focused on deploying oneself effectively within the organisation to mobilise change and align with larger corporate and personal dharma. Participants will engage in deep reflections on their life purposes and the strategic roles they play within their companies.
• Session 3: Integration of all teachings and practices from previous sessions to fully embody the principles of Vedantic Leadership and Adaptive Leadership. The session culminates in crafting a sustainable personal and professional growth plan.

Outline of the sessions

Session 1: Mastery of self and system

• Friday (3:30 PM – 9:00 PM): Introduction and grounding in the principles of Adaptive Leadership, based on the seminal works of Ronald Heifetz at Harvard. Setting the stage with an understanding of one’s personal leadership context and the systems within their organisation. Initial explorations will include interactive group discussions and reflections on personal leadership challenges and intentions.
• Saturday (9:00 AM – 9:00 PM): Deep dive into the ‘System of my organisation’ and the ‘System of the self’ through guided discussions, case studies from the Bhagavad Gita, and Adaptive Leadership principles. Participants will engage in activities designed to map out the informal structures and dynamics within their organisations, followed by introspective sessions focusing on self-awareness and self-mastery. The day includes practical exercises such as meditation and pranayama to enhance focus and self-regulation.
• Sunday (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Consolidation of learnings from the previous days with a focus on setting actionable intentions for personal and organisational change. The session concludes with a structured reflection and planning for inter-session activities and practices.

Session 2: Deploying change and mobilising systems

• Friday (3:30 PM – 9:00 PM): Recap of inter-session progress followed by an introduction to deploying oneself to better mobilise the system. The evening focuses on understanding and discussing the alignment of personal purpose (Dharma) with organisational goals, facilitated through reflective exercises and peer discussions.
• Saturday (9:00 AM – 9:00 PM): A thorough exploration of how leaders can influence and mobilise their organisational systems. This includes workshops on strategic decision-making, leadership in action scenarios from the Gita, and practical Adaptive Leadership applications. Activities are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of actions within corporate ecosystems.
• Sunday (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Integration of personal leadership insights with organisational strategies. The session emphasises setting clear visions for leadership roles and responsibilities, culminating in a commitment to specific, actionable strategies for enhancing corporate and personal alignment.

Session 3 (September 2025): Integrating and advancing leadership practice

• Friday (3:30 PM – 9:00 PM): Review and deepening of the core concepts from the Bhagavad Gita and Adaptive Leadership. This session revisits the teachings and their practical applications, assessing progress made and recalibrating goals for future development.
• Saturday (9:00 AM – 9:00 PM): Comprehensive integration of all teachings and practices. This includes group simulations, peer coaching, and advanced leadership scenarios that challenge participants to apply their learnings in real-time, complex situations. The day is structured to solidify the Adaptive Leadership framework alongside Vedantic insights into daily leadership practices.
• Sunday (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Final reflections and forward planning. Participants create detailed personal and professional growth plans, ensuring the sustainability of the transformational leadership practices. The workshop closes with a ceremonial commitment to continued learning and leadership excellence.

This expanded coverage ensures that participants have a clear understanding of the schedule and depth of content that will be covered, emphasising the comprehensive nature of this transformative leadership programme.