Thiruvananthapuram: At the Seventh Edition of Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters 2026(MBIFL), the session on “Leadership Habits and the CEO Mindset” featuring Nitin Seth, Entrepreneur and former chief operating officer of Flipkart and Bharat Avalani, marketer, facilitator and communicator, moderated by Narayan Menon, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Wandertrails, reframed leadership as a lifelong journey rather than a positional label.

Bharat Avalani emphasised that leadership is not a mere term but a way of living. According to him, a leader must possess two fundamental qualities: “the courage to show up and the confidence to speak up in public.” However, he stressed that leadership begins inward. “The core idea of leadership is to handle yourself first, sort out your own mess, and only then help solve others’ problems,” he said.

Leadership, the speakers agreed, is deeply rooted in service, dignity, and character. Recalling former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Bharat quoted his philosophy, describing Annan as a “stubborn optimist.” While optimism is uncommon for a role that demands constant negotiation across diverse global interests, Annan embodied it with quiet resolve.

Bharat noted that a leader is not always the one who leads from the front. “At times, leadership also means knowing how to follow,” he said. There is no age barrier to leadership, and its presence can be found in everyday actions. Saving a small portion of one’s salary, instead of drifting through life, is itself a visible leadership trait.

Nitin Seth challenged the very idea of the word “leader”. “The concept of ‘leader’ is troubling. It is ego-centric. ‘Leading’ is a better word,” he observed. He argued that everyone carries latent leadership potential, though many may never discover it. Leadership, he said, is inseparable from life lessons and the ability to manage people within a complex ecosystem.

Team-building emerged as another critical theme. Seth highlighted that diverse teams are essential. “In a great team, people are different, but they move in unison towards a shared goal, despite differences in opinion,” he said. Importantly, leaders must practise what they preach. Doing what is instructed matters more than merely directing others.

Both speakers underscored the importance of recognising “moments of truth”. Life, they noted, is full of unexpected curves. How a leader responds defines their character. COVID-19 was one such moment that impacted every sector, and artificial intelligence is another force reshaping the world today.

Energy and communication were also highlighted as leadership drivers. Leadership spirit flows through positive energy, which must be shared deliberately. “Communication is how energy is transferred,” Bharat said, adding that leaders must remain mindful of those left behind despite privilege.

On a personal note, Bharat shared that he constantly reflects on what makes him happy or angry, analysing situations carefully because he values seeing smiles on others’ faces. Compassion, he said, changes how a leader views the world and sharpens their vision.

Addressing the CEO mindset, Seth warned against popular narratives that glorify success without substance. “The real leadership crisis today is integrity,” he said. Arrogance, ego-driven behaviour, and a reluctance to learn create delusional leaders in an ever-changing world. For long-term success, humility is non-negotiable.

Leadership, Seth concluded, works like concentric circles. “If you can manage yourself, you can manage others.”

Ultimately, both speakers agreed that leadership begins within, expands through service, and endures through humility.