New Delhi, March 30 -- Think footwear, and Bata instantly comes to mind, a legacy brand that has flourished across India for close to a century. When Gunjan Shah took over as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in 2021, he knew his role at Bata India would require a deep understanding of the organisation, while making the most of his professional experience.

"What is distinctive about leading a company of Bata's scale is the depth of responsibility. Decisions tend to have a wider and lasting impact on people, partners and the organisation as a whole, which calls for greater thoughtfulness and balance. It encourages a certain independence of judgement, holding the larger picture even as you engage closely with teams across t...