Resilience in Leadership

The path to the top is rarely smooth, but Lupin's Vinita Gupta says women leaders must lead with conviction and a global mindset

- NEETU CHANDRA SHARMA

FOR VINITA GUPTA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lupin, leadership was something she grew into. Her vision was shaped over the years by the values she learnt watching her late father and founder of Lupin, Desh Bandhu Gupta, who built the company from a single-room operation into a global pharmaceutical giant.

"From him, I learnt that leadership is not defined merely by authority, but by the ability to inspire, empower and connect authentically," she tells Business Today.

Those early lessons continue to anchor her worldview and reveal why, even today, she begins most conversations by asking questions rather than giving directions.

FOR THE PEOPLE

Gupta does not speak of leadership in abstractions. Instead, she emphasises clarity, conviction and long-term thinking. “I strongly believe in the power of authentic engagement and the importance of listening, both of which are fundamental to my leadership philosophy,” she says.

Her leadership is not the charismatic style that dominates headlines. It is steady and measured, built on consistency, trust and the belief that teams thrive when they feel genuinely supported. “Ultimately, even the most robust strategy depends on the collective strength and alignment of the people who bring it to life,” she says.