Abstract Book of the 2nd International Conference on Leadership, Culture, and Talent Management
Year: 2025
[PDF]
Blueprints from the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Sectors That Shape Our World
Siddharth Kakkad
ABSTRACT:
In the world of aerospace and defence industries, historically built by men, for men, there are now women leading billion-dollar companies. Not just managing complexity, but redefining what leadership looks like under fire. Kathy Warden, CEO of Northrop Grumman, Phebe Novakovic, CEO of General Dynamics, and Leanne Caret, former CEO of Boeing Defence. These aren’t token names. They run systems that power nations, navigate defence contracts, and steer strategy across continents. Their success isn’t just corporate—it’s cultural. In a world obsessed with charisma and command, they lead with clarity, calm, and precision. In industries where failure isn’t measured in profit, but in lives, they make decisions without blinking. And while the boardrooms may look polished, the stakes are as real as war rooms. This isn’t about representation for the sake of it. It’s about what happens when the most unlikely leaders take control—and succeed. About how resilience, mentorship, and crosscultural fluency become strategic assets. And about how leadership, under pressure, tells us more about the future than any model ever will. Their stories don’t just defy convention. They quietly rewrite it. Not as exceptions, but as blueprints—for how to lead against all odds, shape a path where none existed, and turn resilience into a roadmap for others. In industries that are geopolitically vital and define the future—such as defence, AI, and sustainability—their journeys aren’t just inspiring. They serve as a playbook for those who follow.
Keywords: aerospace & AI, cross-cultural leadership, defence industry, resilience transformational leadership