Day 9: Aruna Jayanthi’s Global Services Architect (Because Scaling IT Services Across Cultures Takes More Than Projects—It Takes Purpose, People, and Pure Grit)

For the final day, meet Aruna Jayanthi, who rose from project manager to CEO of Capgemini India and global head of business services. She’s proof that service excellence in IT is about more than delivery metrics—it’s about uniting talent, client needs, and transformation under one inspired banner.

The Big Bad Roadblock: “How Do You Deliver World-Class Services Across 40+ Countries—and Still Build a Cohesive, Creative Culture?”

Aruna took charge at Capgemini when India’s IT industry was spiking in both opportunity and complexity. Managing thousands of employees over multiple geographies, she faced daily battles with integration, scaling, customer expectations, and driving true inclusion—when most global teams felt disconnected. Her challenge was not just operational but deeply cultural.

The Glow-Up Plan: Building Global Teams, Inclusive Leadership, Relentless Client Focus

Empowering Local Leaders:
Aruna broke the mold by pushing decision-making to regional managers, letting teams innovate and respond to client needs at lightspeed—never stuck behind distant process chains.

Championing Diversity, Every Day:
She led efforts to make Capgemini’s workforce one of the most diverse in the sector—not just with numbers but with culture, inclusion, and relentless support of women in tech services.

Continuous Customer Engagement:
Aruna’s mantra: partnership over transaction. She made Capgemini’s clients feel the presence, expertise, and value of the Indian services engine, no matter how far away.

Team Whisperer Moves
Her leadership style? Trust, transparency, and giving teams real ownership. She built internal networks for feedback, coaching, and shared success, energizing even the largest, most scattered teams.

The Leadership Masterclass: What Can Managers Steal from Aruna?

1. Empower Local Champions—Let Leaders Rise Where They Work
   Distributed decision-making unlocks client delight and innovation.
2. Weave Diversity Into Daily Practise
   It’s both a minimum and a multiplier—culture grows with every story shared.
3. Be Present for Customers—Globally and Locally
   Client engagement is not outsourced; leaders build partnerships personally.
4. Scale Inclusion and Feedback
   Internal networks drive learning and energy in rapidly growing teams.

How to Wear This Lesson in Your Management Style

• Start each week with, “Who am I empowering this time?”
• Build a culture of open feedback and genuine inclusion.
• Lead cross-regional projects where local talent holds the reins.
• Celebrate how diversity and teamwork fuel global delivery.

Aruna Jayanthi’s story shows IT services at their best are powered by real people—creating value, driving change, and ensuring every leader multiplies opportunity for those coming next.