In an era of disruption as the new normal and innovation as the currency of success, few leaders are in a position not just to keep up but to reinvent the race. Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi, the change agent of Adani GCC, is a rare personality among individuals like these.
Over a professional life of approximately 30 years, Dr. Rastogi has evolved from one who was focused on people, attending to their needs, to becoming one of the most creative leaders in the GCC space. Under Dr. Rastogi’s leadership as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the company has become more than just a shared services provider. But as an epitome of enterprise reinvention, it has become a place where technology meets the human touch, and efficiency blends with experience.
From Dreams to Strong Direction – A Leader’s Origin Story
The trajectory of Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi was not the result of a map but rather self-realization and a sheer goal. “Transformation is not an option – it’s an imperative,” he says, leaning forward in his chair fiercely.
Originally wanting to be a CFO, Dr. Rastogi quickly discovered that his comparative advantage lay in his ability to connect with people and execute tasks effectively. His foray into India’s first-ever GCC was purely profitable; what began as a career turn unexpectedly became his calling.
Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi has been a key player in the successful evolution of the GCC for the last 32 years, building large, complex organizations in terms of both size and value.
“It dawned on me that GCCs would be the obvious nerve centres of enterprise transformation and that foresight has been pretty well vindicated,” he says.
Now, his path serves as a roadmap for transformational leaders of every stripe.
Future-Ready Enterprise - The Adani GCC Philosophy
The underlying philosophy that has inspired Adani GCC’s spectacular growth is to build individuals and let individuals build the future. His approach isn’t about managing processes but rather about driving purpose.
“We are building the mother of all GCCs,” he says of the Adani Group, whose sprawling, multifaceted ecosystem of listed entities and diversified businesses has virtually turned the country’s greatest natural resource into a monopoly.
The ‘All New’ Adani GCC was imagined to level the market, reorganize, and inspire new ways of functioning within the Adani Group. But it soon evolved into something more — a digital-first, talent-led transformation engine.
“Everything we do is rooted in people. At our ‘Talent Factory,’ we’re not just filling roles; we are developing leaders, innovators, and change agents, based on the belief that impact isn’t a task, it is an outcome,” says Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi
This unwavering belief in human capital as the driving force behind change is the cornerstone of the company’s rapid growth.
Redefining Value – Unique Strengths in a Crowded Market
Adani GCC is a beacon of light in an industry predominantly viewed through the narrow prism of cost-effectiveness. What sets it apart?
“We are not just the shared services arm. We are the transforming centre of the Adani Group,” Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi adds.
The GCC delivers with its operational interconnectedness, digital depth, and tireless agility. Be it finance, HR, techno-commercial, or enterprise technology, Adani GCC is not looking to optimize, but rather to make radical changes. A mix of size, speed, and approach has positioned Bharti Airtel as a beacon for digital reinvention, not only in India but worldwide.
Leading with Empathy, Empowerment, and Excellence
Leadership, in Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi’s view, is not about control; it’s about connection.
“My style is both servant leadership and collaborative execution. We lead from the front, but we listen from the ground,” he shares.
By creating purpose and meaning in the performance, he has built a high-trust environment where you can create solutions, take risks, and own your outcomes. The result? A highly motivated, future-ready workforce that’s not only aligned with the company’s objectives but also personally invested in its vision.
Team building at Adani GCC is not confined to onboarding; it’s a continuous cycle of mentoring, learning, and growth. “We are training them not only to carry out but to lead,” Dr. Rastogi insists. It’s as if colleges are afraid that the children of privilege will only invest their time if they receive a tangible return on it.
Integrating, Not Balancing – Experience and Efficiency in Harmony
Increasingly, in the contemporary industrial landscape, the trade-off is seen as one of operational efficiency versus customer focus, not at Adani GCC. “We don’t balance, we integrate,” Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi says. Adani GCC prioritizes experience by integrating digital intelligence at every touchpoint, where each outcome is not just an output but an engine for enhanced experience.
“It’s technology as an enabler, not as a goal,” he says, summing up the ethos of its approach. The outcome is a consistent linkage between business outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
Tech-Novation at the Core – Digital by Design
Technology is not an add-on for Adani GCC; it is the architecture. From AI and automation to predictive analytics and cloud infrastructure, the enterprise has brought “digital by design” to the heart of its operations.
The key difference, however, is how these films humanize this technology. “We’re not trying to run after trends; we’re actually trying to architect the future,” Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi says. Whether it’s our real-time digital dashboards aiding decisions or smart processes empowering agility, Technology at Adani GCC is always with a purpose and empathy.
This mindset, which fuses innovation with intention, is what Dr. Rastogi calls technovation.
Transformative Projects That Define Legacy
There are numerous achievements under Dr. Rastogi’s helm, but one initiative, in particular, stands out as a testament to the transforming DNA of the GCC. What the company has done is take that greenfield view of its business service and digitize the whole value chain. Based on the 4Es of Efficiency, Effectiveness, Experience, and Excellence, this intervention unified, accelerated, and informed across the Adani conglomerate.
The result was not only a more agile company but also a model for how business units within a conglomerate can collaborate effectively.
Nurturing Talent, Elevating Potential
At Adani GCC, the workforce is not just a resource; it’s the reason. “We don’t just hire talent – we nurture it,” Dr. Rastogi states proudly. The company’s talent development framework encompasses continuous learning platforms, mentorship programs, and feedback loops that extend beyond the annual review.
This people’s first culture has formed a growth environment that allows our people to thrive, and their ambition is encouraged and rewarded.
“Growth here is not a target – it’s a promise,” he shares.
By equipping staff with decision-making capabilities and empowering leadership, Adani GCC guarantees not just a scalable future but also a sustainable one.
Triumph Amidst Crisis – Turning Adversity into Advantage
Rather than waiting for uncertainties to arise, Adani GCC is taking a scenario-based approach to develop a strategy that is robust in various future scenarios. Their collaborative-based work model ensures they can operate in even the harshest situations, and intelligent automation means they can scale up or change course at any moment. This skill was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic but isn’t confined to public health crises; a key part of how the company is constructed is its agility in responding to geopolitical, technological, and economic shifts.
The COVID-19 outbreak was a test of strength for companies worldwide. It was a moment of sorts at Adani GCC. “We went to full remote work culture in less than 72 hours,” Dr. Rastogi remembers.
However, in the face of it all, productivity remained high, creativity flowed freely, and morale was high. That agility was no accident; it was the result of a culture deeply infused with clarity, accountability, and adaptability.
“Our risk posture is not reactive – it’s proactive,” Dr. Rastogi explains. It’s an attitude that treats disruption as a foregone conclusion and braces itself for it as a given. Based on this trust, Adani GCC is not only able to withstand change; it is ready to embrace change and grow.
This is something we call proactive resilience, which guarantees that the business will remain capable of creating value for the Adani Group and beyond, regardless of what external reality presents to it.
Planning for the Unpredictable – Resilience by Design
The only constant is uncertainty, and Adani GCC is well-equipped to handle it. Response-ready through scenario-based planning, intelligent automation, and a distributed operating model.
“We design for disruption as if it were already here,” Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi says. Adani GCC doesn’t react to crises; it predicts and plans so that they don’t just work but work effectively when the pressure is on.
Advice to Entrepreneurs – Lead with Soul and Scale with Purpose
For entrepreneurs navigating a volatile world, Dr. Rastogi’s message is clear: “The future belongs to the bold.”
He teaches start-ups to tackle real problems, remain curious, and view technology not as a threat to jobs but as a tool to create multiple values.
“Technology is not the enemy of employment – it’s the pathway to a value-based future,” he says.
The trick, he says, is building companies that scale with purpose and soul.
Looking Ahead – A Vision to Shape the Future
What is in store for Adani GCC under the stewardship of Dr. Rastogi in the future? An audacious, inspiring vision, i.e., to be the world’s most trusted transformation partner. Key to the strategy is scaling by sector, infusing AI-first capabilities, and creating a workforce that is purpose- and impact-driven.
“We don’t just help the future — we shape it,” Dr. Rastogi says. In an industry dominated by shared services, Adani GCC is here to offer something altogether scarcer, i.e., a shared vision.
The Legacy of a Transformational Leader
Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi’s tale is not only one of personal evolution but also of institutionalizing change. His approach to leadership, innovation, and people is a masterclass in how to build an organization that is not just resilient but revolutionary.
As industries struggle with intricacy, leaders like Dr. Rastogi illustrate the point that the true divider isn’t about technology or capital but rather clarity of purpose and dedication to people.
And it is in that clarity that the power to shape the future rests.