True leadership thrives at the intersection of humility and conviction. CK Venkataraman, MD of Titan, showed this with grace after winning Fortune India’s Best CEO Award: “I am very humbled; it’s meant for everybody in the company, but they call one who represents them.” This humility is at the core of his leadership style, grounded equally in gratitude and responsibility.
Venkataraman believes some things are too important to pass on to someone else. “Any choice that affects our values, I can’t let someone else decide.” He respects these main ideas so much that they guide how he leads, making sure the company always does what's right, no matter the business pressures.
To stay sharp, Venkataraman has a simple but effective routine: “I get up really early.” This habit helps him get ready for the day's problems and stay calm as a leader.
Venkataraman tells new leaders to think about everyone involved first: “Focus on stakeholders first, the stakeholders will take care of shareholders.” This way of thinking is key to how Titan plans things and shows how leadership is changing.
Venkataraman has been a patient and forward-thinking leader, turning Titan from a watch company into a big lifestyle brand in India. They are selling jewelry, clothes, perfumes, and accessories. He's focused on India’s affluent population and opening stores in smaller cities, mixing high-end dreams with growth focused on India.
While others talk about tough times, Venkataraman wants “happy growth” and strength. He thinks leading is a long-term project of building a brand and keeping customers happy, which means you can get through problems like a pandemic without hurting your team or losing sight of what’s important.
The Fortune India Best CEOs Awards 2025 was a powerhouse gathering of India’s top leadership minds, with luminaries like Union Minister Piyush Goyal, KV Kamath, Sanjiv Puri, and CK Venkataraman sharing powerful insights.
Goyal talked about investing in deep-tech and how India is becoming a bigger player in global trade. KV Kamath stressed on how tech is a great leveller and pointed out how good digital finance could be.
The speakers said that being calm, hopeful, and focused on customers is key for leaders dealing with uncertain times. Devina Mehra and Prashant Jain talked about the CEO multiple, saying that building a long-term edge is better than just hitting short-term goals. The night was all about celebrating the leaders who are shaping India's tomorrow with their vision and strength.
