Some CEOs on best leaders lists brag, but C Vijayakumar from HCLTech starts with people, values, and culture. That's his leadership style in a nutshell.
Humility at the top
C Vijayakumar called being on the Fortune India's Best CEOs list, a humbling experience and immediately shifts the spotlight to HCLTech’s 2,25,000 employees across India and the world.
He sees it as a team win, not just his own. This shows he thinks of himself as part of something bigger.
Client value is key
Vijayakumar stays on track in tech by being client-focused. He believes everyone should focus on what clients need. That means making sure people, processes, and plans all work together to help clients and make a difference for them.
Culture starts at the top
If you ask Vijayakumar what a CEO should never delegate, he'll say culture. He thinks a leader has to own the culture, show it, and spread it around. That means setting an example, staying focused, and caring about people, not just results.
Timeless advice for next‑gen leaders
Vijayakumar's advice for new leaders is pretty simple: stick to values, help your clients, and take care of your people. In a time when everyone wants quick fixes, he goes back to the basics: be humble, focus on clients, own your culture, and be kind.
In a world that often praises individual stars, Vijayakumar's leadership style is a good reminder that lasting success comes from teamwork. He values being humble, putting clients first, building a good culture, and showing empathy, which is a solid guide for leaders of the future.
Job titles might change, but his main ideas – taking responsibility for the team's culture, caring a lot about how you affect clients, and bringing everyone along – will always be signs of real leadership.
