Chanel's CEO Leena Nair bats for compassionate leadership, says every voice is important. Watch

In a LinkedIn post featuring a snippet from her interview, Leena Nair highlighted her dedication to empathy-driven leadership

Leena Nair, Chanel’s first Indian-origin CEO, recently spoke at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, offering insights on her leadership philosophy. Nair, who holds a degree in electronics from Walchand College and an MBA in HR from XLRI Jamshedpur, rose from humble beginnings in Kolhapur to global influence, including her prior role as the first female and youngest Chief Human Resources Officer at Unilever.

In a LinkedIn post featuring a snippet from her interview, Nair highlighted her dedication to empathy-driven leadership, stating, “Compassionate leadership was one of many topics discussed during my "View From The Top" interview at Stanford University Graduate School of Business.”

Nair’s philosophy centres on what she calls “collective intelligence,” where every voice holds value rather than only the loudest ones. “We don’t see enough role models like that,” she added. “So, for me, it really matters that I set a brand of leadership that’s about compassion and empathy.” Her focus on inclusive leadership ensures diverse perspectives are represented and that people are heard, a core part of her management at Chanel.

The official YouTube page of Stanford GSB praised her resilience, describing her journey as a tale of overcoming barriers and shattering conventions. “Leena shares her inspiring journey of ‘firsts’ from growing up in a small town in India to becoming the first woman of colour CEO of a major luxury brand,” noted the channel’s caption.

Nair’s ascent to leadership has been marked by numerous achievements. Before Chanel, she was the youngest and first female Chief Human Resources Officer at Unilever. Recognised in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women’s list in 2021, she is a respected figure in global business leadership.

In her conversation with Ayesha Karnik, "View From The Top" host, Nair reflected on the valuable lessons in resilience she has gained throughout her career. She advocated for a culture where leadership models compassion and empathy, setting a new standard in the industry.

Reflecting on her rise and continued commitment to positive leadership, Nair emphasised that, above all, her goal is to remain a role model for inclusive and empathetic leadership, qualities she believes are lacking in traditional corporate frameworks.