On the Right Side of History: Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar on Democratizing AI

Episode notes

Join host Elizabeth Freedman for a candid conversation with Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant, as he shares a behind-the-scenes view of what it truly takes to lead a global enterprise of over 350,000 employees. Ravi talks about the duality of leading in the present while staying relevant for the future, the concept of "strategic patience," and how influence is what truly drives transformation at scale. Ravi reflects on the underestimated value of roles that build influence, the importance of psychological safety in driving AI adoption, and how today’s leaders must be interdisciplinary, adaptable and ready to unlearn. You’ll explore: What being a CEO actually entails Why “strategic patience” is critical in high speed markets The underrated power of sphere of influence Why the next CEO should own the future, not the past This conversation is about learning to navigate complexity, build trust at scale and stay grounded in purpose. Thanks for listening to Executiveland, until next time visit Elizabeth’s website ! Ravi Kumar’s Links: | • Free C-Suite Readiness Assessment • Website: • Forbes Column: • LinkedIn: • Twitter X: @‌esuiteleader

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