Systems change in action: Discovering the future of sustainable leadership in Mumbai

Mumbai—a city known for its vibrant culture, resilience, and complexity—served as the dynamic backdrop for this year’s Leadership Vanguard Exchange.

Within this vibrant setting, participants immersed themselves in systems thinking and sustainability, learning firsthand how collaborative innovation and purpose-driven initiatives can tackle global challenges. Through visits to one of Vikaasa’s Waste No More sites and Godrej Construction, a member of Xynteo’s Build Ahead coalition, they witnessed actionable examples of circular economy and regenerative practices in action.

The Exchange offered a powerful exploration of sustainability and leadership by taking participants on a journey across Mumbai. They engaged in immersive experiences that illustrated the potential of regeneration and cross-sector collaboration to address pressing challenges such as urban waste and construction’s environmental impact. This was eye-opening experience for the participants, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving sustainable growth. Immersive visits and engaging discussions helped participants expand their perspectives and understand how regenerative approaches can address complex global challenges. Mumbai became more than just a destination—it was a living classroom for sustainable systems change.

“The Leadership Vanguard has shown me how to tap into the hidden potential that exists within my business – helping me to find and connect people within the organisation that can collaborate on new business opportunities, better serve our customers, and deliver sustainable growth.”

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Exploring resilience in Mumbai

Participants explored Dharavi, one of the world’s largest informal settlements, to see how grassroots entrepreneurship and resourcefulness sustain its vibrant economy. The visit highlighted how informal economies drive local solutions to global issues through a range of manufacturing and trading businesses, all run from Dharavi. At the Koli Fishing Village, they witnessed the delicate balance between preserving cultural heritage and adapting to urban pressures, gaining valuable insights into resilience and regeneration. 

Waste No More: Circular economy in action

A key part of the Exchange was our visit to Waste No More, an initiative conceptualised by Xynteo’s Vikaasa partnership addressing India’s plastic waste challenge. Waste No More demonstrates circular economy principles by transforming waste into value through improved infrastructure, community education, and the integration of informal waste workers into the formal economy.

Participants saw firsthand how “Islands of Excellence” at the ward level model plastic waste circularity. These sites not only reduce environmental harm but also provide economic benefits to local communities. Waste No More exemplifies how circular models can transform waste into both social and economic value, offering a tangible example of regeneration that resonates globally.

Through this experience, participants deepened their understanding of systems thinking and leadership, equipping them to embed similar approaches within their organisations to drive both environmental and social impact.

Build Ahead: Driving sustainable construction

At the Godrej Construction Plant, participants explored the work of a member of our Build Ahead coalition, a multi-stakeholder initiative dedicated to decarbonising India’s construction sector. By bringing together industry leaders, Build Ahead is redefining construction through sustainable practices and regenerative design.

Godrej Construction, a member of this coalition, showcased innovative methods for reducing the environmental footprint of urban development by using building materials created from circular waste materials. This example, alongside others explored by the coalition, provides a powerful blueprint for how industries can move beyond simply reducing harm to creating a positive impact on society and the environment.

This visit offered participants a practical understanding of how large-scale industries can embed sustainability and regeneration into their operations, reinforcing the importance of applying systems thinking and collaboration to their leadership challenges. With this lens, participants also visited the Godrej Mangroves Area local to the construction site, maintained in order to provide a range of critical ecosystem services to Mumbai. 

Throughout the Exchange, participants also had the opportunity to hear from an inspiring lineup of speakers, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers. These sessions offered diverse perspectives on tackling sustainability challenges and provided valuable insights into the leadership needed for driving systemic change.

About Xynteo and its programmes

Xynteo is a global advisory firm and community dedicated to driving regenerative growth. Through programmes like Leadership Vanguard, Vikaasa, and the Build Ahead coalition, Xynteo connects leaders across industries to address complex global challenges and create sustainable impact.

For further information, follow us on social media (LinkedIn  I  Twitter), or Contact Us to find out how we can help your leaders and organisation create people and planet-positive impact.