How do the best CEOs think, prepare, and leave a lasting legacy?

Shiv Shivakumar, former CEO of PepsiCo and Nokia reflects on decades of leading some of the most iconic companies. He shares insights on what makes a great leader, from the mindset required to the qualities that define people with a fighter’s instinct.

Shiv explains why commitment and curiosity often matter more than degrees or pedigrees, and why only about 7% of those who aspire to be CEOs actually become one. He also discusses how to navigate co-founder disagreements, knowing when a company needs you, and how to hire the right people for lasting impact.

Through stories from his own journey leading companies across sectors, Shiv highlights why unit economics, honest market sizing, and investing in innovation rather than cutting prices are critical for founders. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding culture, asking the right questions, and building trust in shaping a company’s success.

Whether you are an aspiring founder, a manager, or simply curious about how leadership works in practice, this conversation with one of India’s most experienced CEOs is for you.

0:00 – Trailer
0:55 – 3 qualities of people with a fighter’s instinct
2:40 – The biggest sin of a CEO: Past forward
5:51 – How a CEO of 20 years prepare using data?
7:56 – Why the information pyramid today is upside down
8:55 – If it doesn’t surprise competition, it’s waste of time
9:53 – The art of asking great questions
10:28 – Brands shouldn’t age: keep your core, but stay relevant
12:28 – Why Shiv calls himself a Brand person?
13:40 – Rich buy brands for vanity, poor for security
15:03 – Manyavar: Nationalism reflected in buying choices
17:15 – The Suta story
18:10 – Clothing Industry is waiting for innovations
19:28 – Brand person vs. Manufacturing person
21:27 – Why only 7% become CEOs
23:08 – CEOs Shiv admires
23:47 – Be the best prepared person in any room
24:09 – Always stress-test your assumptions
25:04 – Sending letters to great professors of the 90s
29:32 – Opportunities in India vs. abroad
36:59 – Understand culture before joining any company
40:11 – What young people should expect from work?
41:04 – People who leave a legacy
42:49 – How to hire the right people?
45:43 – Be a full-number, not decimal-point manager
46:25 – Never hire for degree or background
48:54 – Building relationships for the company’s interest
51:07 – How co-founders should handle disagreements?
52:56 – Be honest about your addressable market
54:00 – Founders overestimate idea, underestimate rigour
54:30 – ID Fresh: Founder & Opportunity
57:06 – The business model in publishing needs to change
58:58 – Is ghostwriting alright?
1:02:00 – The old model of distribution: Nokia Story
1:04:09 – Why CEOs should work across industries?
1:09:12 – When you need the company vs. when it needs you
1:15:31 – Future hiring: soft skills first, train hard skills

-------------
India’s talent has built the world’s tech—now it’s time to lead it.
This mission goes beyond startups. It’s about shifting the center of gravity in global tech to include the brilliance rising from India.
What is Neon Fund?
We invest in seed and early-stage founders from India and the diaspora building world-class Enterprise AI companies. We bring capital, conviction, and a community that’s done it before.
Subscribe for real founder stories, investor perspectives, economist breakdowns, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re doing it all at Neon.

-------------
Check us out on:
Website: https://neon.fund/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theneonshoww/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beneon/
Twitter:

Send us a text

How a 20-Year CEO Thinks, Prepares & Leaves a Legacy | Shiv Shivakumar, Ex-CEO Nokia & PepsiCo

The Neon Show