What if the leadership skill that actually drives performance is the one most executives dismiss as soft?

In this episode, Rajesh Ramakrishnan, co-author of The Nurturing Quotient (Penguin) and former MD of Perfetti Van Melle India, joins Leah Cioco to unpack NQ: the third quotient redefining what great leadership looks like in a world burning its people out.

From the MILE framework to the four dimensions of nurturing self, this is a conversation about leading with both commercial rigor and genuine human care. If you're a founder or senior leader asking what kind of leader you actually want to become — this one is for you.

About Rajesh Ramakrishnan Rajesh is a transformative leader with over 30 years of experience across Reckitt, PepsiCo, and Perfetti, driving business and people growth across Asia. He served as Managing Director of Perfetti Van Melle India from 2018–2023, was awarded the ET Inspiring CEO (2022) and ET Ascent CEO of the Year (2023), and is currently a leadership coach, advisory consultant, and co-author of The Nurturing Quotient (Penguin, June 2025). Beyond the boardroom, he is an award-winning photographer who has held multiple exhibitions, an avid trekker who has reached Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp, and Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the co-founder of My Daughter Is Precious — a nonprofit that has supported the graduation education of over 100 girls across India.

📖 Grab the book: https://www.amazon.in/Nurturing-Quotient-Yourself-Leadership-Practical/dp/0143474871 

🌐 Rajesh's work: www.powerfulife.in 

🧘 Vipassana silent meditation: https://www.dhamma.org/en