In a thought-provoking address to the students of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, spoke about the importance of navigating uncertainty and creating new paths in business and life. Sharing his insights with future business leaders, Adani highlighted that the real world often presents challenges that have no historical precedence.
“Success Lies in Building New Pathways”
Adani noted that traditional business models can break down when faced with unique and unprecedented situations. “I have learnt and still continue to learn that the real world is made up of moments that have no precedence,” he said. “When these unprecedented moments come, when the business models break down and when the road ahead is unmarked, I have realised that success is defined by being able to make your own story.”
Leadership and Courage Over Conformity
He encouraged students to focus not just on implementing established models but to have the courage to build new ones. “History is not made by how well we execute existing models, it is made by our courage and leadership to build new pathways,” he added, underlining the critical role of innovation and adaptability in leadership.
Adani’s Message Resonates with the Next Generation
The session was met with keen interest by the students and faculty, who appreciated the emphasis on originality, bold thinking, and leadership. His words are especially relevant in today’s rapidly changing global business environment, where resilience and creativity often determine success.
Corporate Leaders as Mentors
The talk was part of IIM Lucknow’s continued efforts to bring industry leaders to campus, offering students real-world perspectives beyond textbook knowledge. Events like these aim to inspire the next generation of leaders by sharing journeys marked by challenges, failures, and innovation.
