Some conversations stay with you long after the microphones turn off.
In this episode of Leadership Odysseys, Kirsty sits down with Raj Nanra, CEO of SLE Worldwide Australia, for a powerful conversation about leadership shaped through lived experience, cultural belonging, resilience, and loss. From growing up as the child of one of Melbourne’s first Sikh families, to leading businesses across Asia for two decades, to building culture through human connection, Raj’s story reveals how leadership is built not in boardrooms alone, but in the moments where listening, empathy, and courage meet.
Raj speaks openly about the devastating loss of his 21-year-old son, Sachin to cancer, and how that grief became the catalyst for purposeful action. In response, he founded the annual You Can Charity Golf Day in partnership with the Sony Foundation, mobilising his industry community to support young Australians facing cancer. Over the past four to five years, these events have raised close to $250,000 to fund youth cancer programs and provide tangible support to families during their hardest seasons. What emerges is a story of choosing to transform pain into service and leadership into something that extends far beyond business.
This episode explores the human side of leadership: culture as behaviour, presence over performance, and the deep power of staying curious about people.
Raj grew up learning to speak with anyone, without judgement, background bias, or status filters. That lesson still defines how he builds teams today. Culture, he believes, is not written on walls. It is shaped by daily behaviour, attention, and genuine conversation.
Asia taught him how connection earns trust
Twenty years across China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and beyond taught Raj that leadership begins with curiosity. Learning names, languages, foods, and customs became a bridge to trust. His willingness to listen before leading turned short assignments into long partnerships and shaped his approach to people-first leadership.
Listening is a leadership discipline
Raj draws a clear line between leaders who speak and leaders who listen. He prefers presence over performance, relationship over hierarchy, and dialogue over distance. From meeting every staff member personally to prioritising uncomfortable conversations, listening became both his cultural strategy and leadership edge.
Turning grief into impact
The loss of his son Sachin changed everything. Supported by his industry community, Raj chose to respond with purpose rather than retreat. By founding the You Can Charity Golf Day alongside the Sony Foundation, he created a practical way to support adolescents and young adults with cancer, raising nearly $250,000 to fund programs that care for families as they walk through the most difficult chapters of life.
Purpose comes from action, not sentiment
For Raj, giving back is about more than fundraising totals. It is about showing up with time, care, and presence. Whether supporting families facing the long road of treatment or donating simple items that restore small moments of joy, leadership, he says, is measured by how you help when no one is watching.
Raj’s odyssey reminds us that leadership is ultimately human work.
Culture grows through conversation.
Trust is built through listening.
Purpose is forged when pain meets service.
His story shows leadership matters most when leaders lift others, even while carrying their own moments of challenge.
Connect with Raj Nanra: LinkedIn
Connect with SLE Worldwide Australia: Linkedin | Website
Sony Foundation Australia: Website | LinkedIn | You Can Golf Day
This episode is brought to you by: Naturally Glutenfree
Connect with Kirsty Gee: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
