India has lost one of its most internationally recognized business icons, Ratan Tata. His legacy is captured well in a BBC obituary, which highlights how he transformed the Tata Group with a mission that went beyond business—to improve lives. Peter Casey, author of The Story of Tata, encapsulates it well: Tata built on an ethos of “capitalism to philanthropy,” leading with the belief that business should ultimately make people’s lives better.
My own appreciation for the Tata Group and Ratan Tata's leadership style came later in my career. As my regular followers know, after years in the corporate world, I founded Venturis Group Inc and embarked on a path of purposeful entrepreneurship, guided by the principles of Ikigai - the Japanese concept of finding your life's purpose. (You can read more about my journey in previous blog post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stroke-purpose-ikigai-story-product-market-fit-gaurav-vaid-fkhrc/?trackingId=BAFcJStgyGkJG95O7bmA9A%3D%3D).
In my search for role models and organizations that embodied these principles, the Tata Group kept rising to the top. Ratan Tata's style of business leadership and his emphasis on community impact stood as shining examples of what I advocate: a style of leadership driven by purpose, not just profit. Ratan Tata led by example, focusing on creating meaningful impact rather than flaunting wealth or pursuing personal gain—quite different from the silicon valley “tech bro” mentality prevalent among many business leaders today.
As stated in the BBC article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd5835mp4ko.amp announcing his death: A profile published in the Economist magazine in 2011 called Tata a "titan", crediting him with transforming the family group into "a global powerhouse". "He owns less than 1% of the group that bears his family name. But he is a titan nonetheless: the most powerful businessman in India and one of the most influential in the world," the magazine said.
Even as a child, I unknowingly witnessed the Tata Group's ethos through their memorable "We also make Steel" ad campaign. It showcased a thriving community alongside glimpses of steel production, leaving a lasting impression of an organization focused on nation-building, not just profit.
Years later, with a deeper understanding of Ikigai and "organizational narratives," the campaign's brilliance became clear. It was a perfect example of an organization pursuing its Ikigai – focusing not just on what they make, but on their positive impact on society. Their later campaign, "We also make tomorrow," further emphasized this commitment.
While the earlier campaign predated Ratan Tata's leadership, the central ethos was undoubtedly shaped by him and his mentor, JRD Tata. For a deeper dive into the Tata Group's advertising history, I highly recommend Karthik Srinivasan's insightful article (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tata-steels-new-campaign-we-also-make-tomorrow-karthik-srinivasan/).
While Ratan Tata's passing is a significant loss, his legacy of purposeful leadership continues to inspire. His impact goes beyond one man, creating a ripple effect that benefits both employees and society as a whole. In his own words, he advocated for an entrepreneurial spirit that is "innovative, creative, and creates an impact, not just in the money value but the impact that it creates on the larger humanity."
This is the mindset we strive for at Venturis Group Inc. We are passionate about co-creating with other entrepreneurs who share our values of building great products while making a positive difference.
Ratan Tata may be gone, but his leadership serves as a beacon for all who seek to build businesses with purpose. Let us honor his life by reflecting on his greatness and integrating his values into our own journeys.
Honoring Ratan Tata's legacy - business leadership style that the world needs more of