


INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS The Legacy Makers How Great Leaders Leave More Than Results











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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS The Legacy Makers How Great Leaders Leave More Than Results











Inanagewhereindustriesaretransformingfasterthanever,the
conceptofexcellencehasevolvedfarbeyondtraditional benchmarksofsuccess.It’snolongeraboutperfectionor profitalone—it’saboutpurpose,adaptability,andhuman connection.In2025,excellenceisdefinedbythosewholeadwith clarity,compassion,andcourage,settingastandardnotjustfor performance,butforimpact.Fewembodythismoderndefinition morepowerfullythanRanjitPhillipose,SeniorVicePresident–Operations,GoaatTheIndianHotelsCompanyLimited(IHCL).
Phillipose’sleadershipjourneyisaninspiringportraitof consistency,evolution,andglobalperspective.Fromhisbeginnings asayoungfront-officeexecutiveattheTajCoromandelinChennai tooverseeingIHCL’sexpansiveportfolioinGoa—comprisingover 30propertiesandthousandsofteammembers—histrajectory speakstoarelentlesspursuitofexcellencethroughlearningand adaptability.Hisexperiencesacrosscontinents—fromLondonto Dubai,theMaldivestoNewYork—reflectadeepunderstanding thatexcellencetodayisnotstatic,butdynamicandever-evolving.
WhatmakesPhillipose’sstoryparticularlyresonantin2025ishis people-firstphilosophy.Inanerawheredigitaltransformationand automationdominateconversations,heunderscoresthathuman connectionremainsattheheartoftrueleadership.Hisbeliefthat “youareonlyasgoodasyourteam”exemplifiestheinclusive, empatheticapproachthatmodernorganizationsneedtothrive.It’s thisabilitytonurturetalent,empowerteams,andleadwith authenticitythattransformsworkplacesintocommunitiesof purpose.
EquallyimportantisPhillipose’scommitmenttosustainabilityand responsiblegrowth—valuesdeeplyalignedwithIHCL’sVision 2030andESGframework.Hisfocusonsustainabletourism,local communitydevelopment,andethicalleadershipreflectstheshift towardlong-termstewardshipovershort-termgains.Indoingso, hesetsabenchmarkforwhatitmeanstobuildalegacyrootedin accountabilityandforesight.
Aswenavigatethecomplexitiesofapost-pandemic,digitally connectedworld,leaderslikeRanjitPhilliposeremindusthat excellenceisnotafinishline—itisacontinuousjourneyof curiosity,resilience,andreinvention.Hisstoryisatestamenttothe factthatin2025,excellenceisnotdefinedbyhierarchy,butby humanity.






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Therearesomeprofessionswhicharepainstakingly
constructed,emerginglikeskyscrapersfrom meticulouslydesignedblueprints.Thereareothers thatstartwithawhisperofchance,evolvingintheeasy, unhurriedsenseofastreamcuttingitscourse.Ranjit Phillipose'slifefitscomfortablyintothelattercategory.He isSeniorVicePresidentOperationsofIndianHotels CompanyLimited(IHCL),Goa.Whatstartedashis mother'soffhand,lunchtimeremarkaboutgoingforan interviewwithTajHotels,aforkintheroad,becamean incrediblethree-decadesojournthatcrisscrossedcontinents, cultures,andcrises.Heisnowagiantinhospitality,witha titanportfolioofmorethan30hotelsandnurturing2,800 loyalassociatesthroughGoantourism'scolorfuland dynamicterrain.
Hislifetestimonyisnotsimplyaresumebutalessonin convertingoff-the-cuffmomentsofopportunityinto meaningfulaction.Itisanaptprecedentofviewing opportunity,welcomingchallengeswithopenarms,and havingtheinnertenacitytoconvertthecommonactof serviceintotheextraordinaryspiritofexcellence.
TheUnplannedBeginningandtheApprenticeshipofthe FrontDesk
In1993,freshoutofuniversity,Philliposewalkedintothe interviewroomatTajCoromandel,Chennai,withoutan inklingthathewaskeepingafatefulappointment.There wasnograndcareerroadmap,yetfromthatfirstday,the rhythmofhospitality-thebustlinglobby,thegenuinesmile exchangedwithastranger,thequietprideofcreatingan unforgettableexperience,drewhiminwithanirresistible gravitationalpull.
StartingasaFrontOfficeExecutive,hewasthrustintothe crucibleofservice,arolewhereonemustseamlessly balancebeingthefirstpointofcontactandthelastlineof defensefortheguest.Thoseearlyyearsbecamehis enduringfoundation,etchingtheprinciplethattrue excellenceinhospitalitydoesn'trelyontheatricalgestures butoncountlesssmallmomentsexecutedwithsurgical precisionandgenuinewarmth.IHCLbecamemorethan justanorganization.Itwashisrigorousschool,hisfamily, andhishome,providingtheessentialspacetogrow,tolead, tostumble,andtoriseagainwithrenewed,focused purpose.
Thetrajectorythatfollowedspokevolumesabouthislatent ambitionandsheerversatility Aftersixsuccessfulyearsin Chennai,Philliposeexpandedhisworldmap,venturinginto internationalwatersin1999,joiningStJames'Courtin London.Hisglobalportfoliorapidlyexpanded,takinghim tokeypositionsinoneoftheworld'smostdemanding markets:theUnitedStates.HeservedasDirectorofRooms atThePierreinNewYorkandlaterasHotelManageratTaj Boston.Eachroleofferedakaleidoscopeoffresh perspectives,distinctoperationalchallenges,andnew dimensionstohisfluencyinhospitality'suniversal language.
Crucially,whatdistinguishedhimduringtheseformative yearswashisstrategicvisionthatextendedbeyondthe dailyoperationalreports.Hebecamethego-toleaderfor establishingnewfrontiers,spearheadingpre-openingtask forcesinchallenging,high-stakeslocationslikeMumbai, Seychelles,andMauritius.Openingahotelisnotasimple ribbon-cuttingevent;itisacomplexsymphonyrequiring meticulousfinancialplanning,profoundculturalsensitivity, andtherareabilitytoforgehigh-performing,cohesive teamsfromdiverse,disparatebackgrounds.Phillipose masteredthisintricateartearly,settinganexemplary standardthatwouldclearlydefinehislater,moresenior achievements.
Thenextphaseofhiscareersawhimtransitionintothe delicateworkofmanagingthebrand'smosticonicassets.In 2009,heundertookwhatmanyregardedashismost ambitiousassignment:GeneralManagerofthemajestic TajFalaknumaPalaceinHyderabad.Heoversawthe ambitious$50millionrestorationofthebrand'sfourth heritagehotel.Thepalace,amonumentofopulenceand royalhistory,demandedmorethanmanagement;itrequired reverence,ahistorian'svision,andthedelicatemanagerial balancebetweenpreservingcenturies-oldheritageand meetingtheabsolutehigheststandardsofmodernluxury Underhisastuteleadership,Falaknumatransformedintoa vibrant,livingtestamenttoIndia'sregalpast.
Seamlesslypivotingfromheritagemanagementtoluxury resortexpertise,hemovedtotheidyllicshoresofthe Maldivesin2012asGeneralManagerofTajExotica ResortandSpa.Here,surroundedbyturquoisewatersand pristineisolation,Philliposesharpenedhisfocusoncreating
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deeplyimmersiveluxuryexperiences,understandingthat trueluxuryisasmuchaboutthepreciouscommoditiesof spaceandsilenceasitisaboutimpeccableserviceand physicalsplendor.
HisreturntoIndiabroughthimtoGoa,whereheservedas AreaDirectorandGeneralManagerofTajExotica ResortandSpa,managingfourproperties.Goa,withits uniquesyncreticblendofIndianandPortuguesecultures, itslaid-backcharm,anditsincreasingtourismcomplexity, becametheperfectgroundforhisevolving,comprehensive leadershipphilosophy.
TheDubaiChapter:Crisis,Courage,andan UnwaveringConviction
In2016,Philliposeembarkedonwhatbecamehisdefinitive chapter TakingthehelmasGeneralManagerofTaj Dubaiinthecity'sprestigiousdowntowndistrict,hefaced theimmediatechallengeofestablishingadistinctiveIndian luxurybrandinthenotoriouslycompetitiveMiddleEastern market.

Herapidlyachievedthisbysuccessfullyblendingthe brand'sprofoundIndianheritageandessencewithessential MiddleEasternelements,transformingTajDubaiintoatrue force.Itsswiftsuccessearnedsignificantrecognition, includingthetitleofFavouriteBusinessHotelatthe Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards in2017.Hefurther cementedIHCL'spresencebyplayingapivotalroleinthe openingofTajJumeirahLakesTowersin2019.
Butitwas2020thattrulytestedhismettle.Whenthe unprecedentedsilenceofCOVID-19descendedupon Dubai,thecity'shospitalitysectorstaggered.Ownership wantedtoshutterthedoors,layingoffstaff,butfor Phillipose,theguidingprinciplewasnon-negotiable: protectinglivelihoodscamefirst.Afterintense,rigorous discussions,theownersagreedtostayopenonadaunting condition:thehotelcouldnotincuradditionalcosts.
Philliposeandhisleadershipteamsworkedtirelessly, dissectingeverycostcenter,creatingasustainableoperating modelwhileprioritizingsafety.


Theyensuredseniormanagementtookpaycutswhilethe salariesoffrontlineassociatesremaineduntouched,even helpingtoprovidegroceriessostaffcouldsendmore moneyhome.Thisdecisiontobravelystayoperational duringthelockdownbecametheirgreateststrategic masterstroke.Astheonlyluxuryhotelfunctioning,they hostedlong-stayingguestsstrandedinthecity Whenthe IndianPremierLeaguemovedtoDubai,TajDubaibecame theautomaticfirstchoice,withPhillipose'steampioneering andexecutingthefirstsuccessful bio-bubble concept for sportsteamsduringthepandemic.Bytheendoftheyear, theyhadnotonlymettheircommitmentbuthadgenerated aprofitwithoutasinglelayoff.Thatdefiningyearetched thelegacyofTajDubai-apowerfultestamenttocourage, compassion,andunwaveringconvictioninthefaceof collapse.
Phillipose'sexcellencehasgarneredprestigiousglobal recognition,includinghisfeatureinForbesMiddleEast Top100Travel&TourismLeaders2023andseven consecutiveyearsonthe Hotelier Middle East Executive Power50List.Theseaccoladessymbolizethecollective successoftheteamshebuiltandthevalueshechampions.
InhiscurrentroleasSeniorVicePresidentofOperations forIHCLGoa,Philliposeoverseesadiverseportfolioof over30properties.Here,hehasensuredthatluxuryis definedbyresponsibility.Underhiscommand, sustainabilityisacorepillar:TajCidadedeGoawasthe firstwithintheIHCLportfoliotoearn Green Key Certification.

GuidedbyIHCL'sPaathyaframework,hehaswoven consciouspractices,fromwaterconservationtocultural collaborationswithGoanartists,intothefabricof operations.
HisinfluenceactivelyshapesGoa'sbroaderecosystem.He isakeymemberoftheGoaChamberofCommerceand IndustryandtheConfederationofIndianIndustry,andheis apartoftheGoaTourismBoard.Throughthesestrategic platforms,headvocatesforsustainabletourism development,infrastructureimprovement,anda comprehensivevisionforGoatoleverageitsrichcultural heritage,uniquegastronomy,andimprovedconnectivityto attractamorediverse,high-valuetravelerbase,moving beyonditssimpleidentityasabeachdestination.
Forthoseaspiringtoleadershiprolesacrossanyindustry, Philliposeofferswisdomdistilledfromthreedecadesatthe top.Leadership,heemphasizes,isnotabouttheauthorityof atitlebutaboutinfluence,trust,andtheprofoundabilityto inspireotherstowardacompelling,sharedvision.
• Self-Awareness:Startbyleadingyourself.Clarityon one'svalues,strengths,andlimitationsgivesevery decisionconviction.
• Resilience:Challengesareinevitable.Thebestleaders viewthemasopportunitiestolearn,adapt,andemerge stronger.
• TheHumanElement:Neverlosesightofthepeople. Treateveryteammemberwithrespect,empowerthem, andallowthemtothrive.
• StayCurious:Inarapidlyevolvingworld,continuous learningkeepsaleaderrelevantandeffective.
• LeadershipisaPrivilege:Itcarriesaheavy responsibilitytoupliftothers,actethically,andleave thingsbetterthantheywerefound.
Hissimplemantraforprofessionalsuccessis: Be consistent, stay grounded, and let excellence be your everyday habit. Yet,headdsacrucialdimensionofbalance: Do not take life too seriously, remember to pause, breathe, and truly enjoy the journey. Hisadvicetoaspiring innovatorsistotakerisks,explorenewideas,andnever fearfailure,because"thatiswhererealgrowthand transformationbegin.Lifeistooshorttoplayitsafe."


Today,asPhilliposesteersIHCL'sGoaoperations,hisfocus remainsonfosteringinnovation,drivingsustainability,and celebratingculturalandculinaryexcellence.Heis balancingthedemandsofathrivinghospitalitybusiness withtheinherentresponsibilityofpreservingtheunique charmthatmakesGoaspecial.
Lookingback,hefeelsimmensegratitudeforthejourney. Whatstartedasacoincidencebecameaprofoundcalling. Evenafterthreedecades,hewalksintoeverypropertywith thesamevisceralsenseofpurposeandexcitementhefeltas ayoungexecutiveatTajCoromandel.
AsIHCLworkstowarditsambitiousVision2030,leaders likePhilliposearethearchitectsshapingthatfuture.His career,fromfrontofficeexecutivetoseniorvicepresident, fromsinglepropertymanagertoregionalstrategist,isa testamenttothepowerofshowingup,committingfullyto excellence,andremainingopentolearning.Inacomplex, metrics-drivenindustry,Philliposeremindsusthatthetrue measureofsuccessliesnotintitles,butinthesmiles created,thestandardsupheld,andtheempathetic,purposedrivenculturenurtured.
Theaccidentalhotelierwhowalkedintoaninterviewroom threedecadesagohasbecomeoneoftheindustry'smost essentialandpurposefulleaders.Hisjourneycontinues, drivenbythebeliefthateveryguestmatters,everyteam membercounts,andeverysinglemomentholdsthe potentialtocreatesomethingtrulyexceptional.That,in essence,istheenduringlegacyofRanjitPhillipose.









Intoday'scorporatelandscape,successismostly
measuredthroughfigures—profitmargins,quarterly reports,andperformanceindicatorsbeingthemain topicsofdiscussionintheboardrooms.Metricsare necessaryforaccountabilityandprogress,buttheydon’t demonstrateleadershipeffectivenessentirely.Infact, leadershipthatisreallytransformativegoesbeyond numbers;itembracespeople,purpose,andsustainable development.
Mindovermetricsisthebeliefthatthemostenduring outcomesaretheoneswhereleadersfacilitatemeaning, engagement,andinnovationinsteadofjustrunningthe businessbythenumbers.
Itistruethatmetricsareneeded;however,theyarenot enough.Theyonlymeasuretheresults,notthereasons. Moreover,theyportrayperformance,notpotential.Leaders whoareoverlyfocusedonnumbersmaylosesightofthe humanandculturalaspectsthatarecrucialfortheir continuedsuccess.Ifdecisionsarebasedonlyonthe
rationalecomingfromthemetrics,organizationsmight succeedintheshortterm,butcreativity,morale,andtrust willbetheirvictims.
One’smindbeingovermetricsdoesnotentailtheexclusion ofdata-rather,itprovidesthecontextforit.Numbersfor suchleadersaremerelysigns,notunchangeabletruths. Whiledealingwithdata,theyalsolookforthequalitative accompaniments.Theyunderstandthatbehindevery percentageandproductivityratiothereisateamofpeople whosemotivation,well-being,andevensenseofpurpose arethedecisivefactorsthatdeterminetheresults.
Empathyis,undoubtedly,thecornerstoneofleadershipthat caninspirerealgrowth.Thegreatleadersrealizethatthe resultofbusinesscomesfromhumanperformance,and humanperformanceisalwaysbasedonconnectionand, especially,meaning.Thus,whenemployeesrecognizethat theyareseen,heard,andvalued,theycangivenothingbut theirbesttotheorganization.Suchemotionalinvolvement cannotbemeasuredbyanymetric,yetitis,mostofthe time,thefactorthatdifferentiatesgoodandoutstanding results.

Aleaderwhoemphasizesempathy, communication,andtrust,seesthebenefitsnot onlyofcollaborationbutalsoofproblemsolving,changemanagement,andcollective innovation.
Trustinginthisprocess,theymovefromthe stageofcontrollingresultstothatofcreating conditionsinwhichpeopleareabletothrive, and,thus,theinstinctandnoteffort,is performance.
Purposeisthefeaturethatindicatesdirectionin theworldinfluencedbynumbers.Asthemain decisionmaker,itgoesbeyondvaluesandvision asithasthecapacitytoleadorganizations throughdifficulttimes.Managersthateffectively deliverthecompany’smissionaretheoneswho excitethepeoplewiththekindofdedication whichisbeyondthelevelofcompliance. Employeesperceivethatinsteadofworkingfor resultstheyaremakingacontributiontothe commonmission.
Mosttraditionalleadershipmodelsconsidersuccesstobe synonymouswithscale—morerevenue,moreproduction, moremarketshare.Nevertheless,theleaderswhoarethe mosteffectivearetheonesthatrealizethatsustainable growthisnotmerelyaboutgettingbiggerbutalsoabout evolving.Realgrowthimpliesbeingflexible,learner,and tough.
Amindovermetricsleaderwoulddefinesuccessasthe broadeningofskillsandthedeepeningoftheculture.They askquestionslike:
• Areourteamsacquiringnewskills?
• Areweencouraginginnovationanddiversity?
• Arewetakinglessonsfromfailuresandmaking progresscontinuously?
Thesequestionsbringtolightaspectsofgrowthwhichare beyonddata’sreach.Theypointoutthatsuccessinthe long-termislessabouttheracefortargetsandmoreabout thedevelopmentofpeopleandthecreationofsystemsthat supportthecontinuousdeliveryofexcellence.
Amodernleaderisrequiredtokeepabalancebetween intuitionanddata,artandscience.Whilemetricsprovide usefulinsights,itistheleader’sintuitionwhichinvolves sensing,empathizing,andenvisaging—thatgivesthe insightsapropercontext.Asaresultjudgmentcallsformed bythecombinationofanalyticsandhumandiscretionare bothlogicalandcreative.
Thisverypointbecomesevenmorecrucialinsituationsof rapidchange.Thefactsmightshowwhatisgoingon,but oftenonlyinstinctcantellwhy—anditisthe“why”that providesleaderswiththeabilitytomovequickerandwith moredetermination.
Leadershipthatbringsaboutgenuinegrowthisnot characterizedbyrejectingmetricsbutratherbysurpassing them.Theconceptofmindovermetricstellsusthatwhile numbersdorepresentperformance,theyshouldnotbeseen asitsdefinition.Themosteffectiveleaderstreatdataasa toolratherthantheend—theyputpeople,purpose,and progressfirstineverydecision.
Whenleadersprioritizemindsetovermeasurementthey openthegatestothefullpoweroftheirteamswhichisthe fosterageofinnovation,trust,andresilience.Whatthey accomplishbythisisthebuildingofcompaniesthatarenot onlyfinanciallysoundbutalsopurposeful—wheregrowth isnotsolelyquantifiedinnumbersbutalsointhevigor, inventiveness,andhumansideofthosewhomakeit possible.






Leadershipistypicallyquantifiedthroughoneofthe
numbers-forexample,revenuegrowth,market share,orshareholdervalue.However,themost exceptionalleadersdonotgodowninhistoryonlybecause ofthefigurestheyhavemanagedtoachieve,butrather becauseofthepeopletheydeveloped,thethingstheymade, andtheircontributiontothesocietywhichstillexistsafter theirdeparture.Theirbiggestcontributiontosocietybeyond thequarterlyobjectivesandmilestonesistheirlegacy-the permanenteffecttheyhaveonpeople,culture,andpurpose.
Inbusinessworldwhichischaracterizedbyrapidchanges, successismainlymeasuredbytangibleresults.Results matterandthustheyshouldbetakenintoaccount,however, theyareonlyafractionofaleader’sstory.Leaderswiththe highestimpactunderstandthattheirswaygoesfurtherthan justprofitsandperformancegraphs.Theirpriorityisto influencethesociety’svalues,developpeople,and implementmeasureswhichwillensurecontinuityoftheir workaftertheirdeparture.
Legacyisdefinitelynotsomethingwhichleaderscreate throughshowingtheirpower;ratheritisgrownthrough theirbeinggenuine,havingcompassiontowardsothers,and gettingsupportedbytheirforesight.Morethanbeing definedbyhowmuchleadersachieveduringtheirtimeat thehelm,itisactuallydefinedthroughtheextenttowhich theiractionscontinuetoinfluencetheorganizationafter theirdeparture.
Theleaderswhoarereferredtoas“great”paveawayfora futurethatwouldbestillthereevenaftertheyceasetheir individualroles.Theydonotsimplyreacttowhatis
requiredhereandnowbuttheythinkahead, visualizingwhatanorganizationmight becomeand,atthesametime,gettingother peoplewillingtowalkthatpathwiththem.
Thefuturealwaysremainsinthepresentonly ifitissharedbyall,everyoneagreeswithit, andithasitsorigininsomethinglikea commonpurpose.Leaderswhokeeptelling thesamestoryoverandoveragaincreatein othersthefeelingofajointmissionwhich cannotbeabandoned.Thevisiontheyhave becomestheorganization’sDNAwhichthen guidesdecisionsandbehaviorsforalong timeaftertheyarenolongerthere.

Employees,ifonecancallitthat,thendefinitelyvisionis theleader’splanandpeoplearetheoneswhowitha leader’sheritagebecomethebuilders.Leaderswhoare greatmakeittheirbusinesstodevelopothers,enable groupsofpeopletobeself-reliantintheirthinkingandto carryouttheiractivitieswithoutsupervision.Thefuture leaderswhomtheybringuparetheoneswhostrongly resemblethevaluesandprinciplesoftheleadersthrough whosementorshiptheycametotheirownsuccess.
Powerisnotgiventoothersbymeansofdelegationrather itisgivenbyshowingone’strust.Leaderswhoare successfulincreationofanenvironmentwhereemployees feelcomfortablementallyandemotionallysupport innovation,assistance,anddevelopmentamongthe employees.Suchgroupsofpeopleconstitute,infact,the leaders’mostlastingheritage,whichisproofthatthetrue valueofleadershipisinthewaymostefficientlyitcanbe multiplied.

Mentorship:PassingtheTorch
Mentorshipisanotherelementthatiscrucialforleadership tobeoflongduration.Theunderstandingthattheirgreatest effectisveryofteninthesuccessofotherpeopleis possessedbygreatleadersonly Andthus,theyshare knowledge,giveguidance,andthroughtheirownbehavior demonstrate,therebymakingexcellenceatraditionaswell.
Mentorship,theactofonebeingamentor,completely changesleadershipfromasingletoacollectiveissue, therebythelatterbeingpasseddownfromonegenerationto another.Itisanintergenerationallinkthroughwhichvalues, vision,andwisdomcontinuetoguidethefutureofthe organization.Bymentoring,theleaderswidentheirsphere ofinfluencesoitisfarbeyondthetimetheyareinpower andhencetheybecometheagentsoflong-termprogress andstability.
Conclusion
Metricsmaybetheyardstickforsuccess,butlegacyiswhat determinesthevalueofit.Leadersofoutstandingcaliberdo notbuildcompaniesthatgrowandprosperasa consequenceoftheirbeingthere,butbecauseofthe unchangingvalues,foresight,andethostheyhave embedded.
Apartfromprofits,theyuseotheryardstickstomeasure theirsuccesssuchasthatoftheirpeople,themoralityof theirdeeds,andthelegacyofinspirationtheycreate.
Inanutshell,leadershipisnotaboutthegoodthingsyouare rememberedforhavingdone,butthegoodthingsyou enabledinotherpeople.Thereallegacycreatorsdonot onlyleavebehindtangibleresults,butalsoamodeof thinking,alevelofhonesty,andasenseofpurposewhich keeponattractingevenlongaftertheyhavegone.







For Subscrip on: www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
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