Last update:
The businessman and influencer Raj Shamani spoke about the ambition of generation Z, the evolution of leadership, the creative economy in boom and why the future will belong to those who work hard, remain authentic and generate influence individually.
RAJ Shamani on CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025. (Image: News18)
The Z generation is misunderstood as impatient or right, but the reality is much more nuanced, said the businessman, the motivating speaker and the social networks influencer Raj Shamani Dering for a lively fire chat in the CNN-News18 Leadership change: Z, Alpha and the next generationShamani discussed how young Indians are rewriting leadership standards, rejecting traditional hierarchies and building a culture of ambition and authenticity.
“We work harder than anyone, but only for people and causes in which we believe,” Shamani said, emphasizing that gene generation is deeply ambitious but very selective about where they invest their energy.
While recognizing that the new generation of criticism for looking for instant results, argued that speed is essential in a world where technology evolves rapidly. “The speed in one direction is good. You can no longer allow you to take bets of 20 years,” he said.
Reflecting on why generation Z seems to be constantly under the center of attention, Shamani explained: “We love the center of attention. We are not afraid to speak. Everything we think and do is public today, not limited to our alone Mohalla. “
He pointed out that Gene does not give the same value to the authority and the hierarchy as the previous generations. “A 13 -year -old boy can talk about a state -owned head of titles no matter,” he said.
In the future of leadership, Shamani predicted that rigid titles within organizations would disappear completely. “There will be no titles at all. From a higher C-Suite executive to the intern, everyone will simply build and solve things,” he said, that several new companies are practices in this model.
When asked if the experience is irrelevant, Shamani was sincere: “Experience is no longer the only way to win. There are also other ways and our generation has understood.”
When addressing the growing conversation about the mental health struggles of generation Z, it offered two explanations: constant exposure to the successes of others, which leads to unhealthy comparisons and an excessive emphasis on the idea of ”finding a purpose” too early. “You don’t find a phone waiting for it. You build and the purpose emerges on the way,” he said.
Sharing personal ideas, Shamani said that the feature of the One G gen z that had to unlearn was the desire for instant gratification. “Now I know that the things I want can take 10 years, if I work every day with the same ethics,” he said.
By staying relevant, he said: “I do not pursue trends or points of view. I simply concentrate on the learning and delivery value.”
While arguing how it differs from typical z habits, he joked: “I don’t take breaks. My diet is called ambition.”
According to the creative economy, Shamani said he is “starting” and left aside the concerns that today’s creators should be more cautious. “The influence always comes with scrutiny. That is the price between generations,” he said.
Looking at the brand and marketing, he predicted that the CMO of the future will also become influential. “The brand’s future will be built by people who can generate influence,” he said.
Speaking about his Podcast trip, Shamani shared that Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, is still one of his most memorable guests. Remembering the experience, he said he was beaten by the audacity and frankness of Jaischar. “There is a protocol that you must send questions in advance,” he explained. “But when I delivered the ready list, he simply broke it and said: Ask me anything.”
Shamani described the moment as a strange sample of confidence and spontaneity of a senior leader, as special in an environment where each word has weight.
Looking towards the future, Shamani revealed his guest list of Podcast Dream. He said that I would love to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his program, a conversation that believes that he would capture the spirit and aspirations of a new India. In the business world, he aspires to interview Mikesh Ambani, driven by a curiosity to understand the vision that Abani has for his children and the next phase of Reliance Industries. Among the celebrities, Shah Rukh Khan headed his list. “Shah Rukh Khan studio as a subject,” he said he has read more books on the superstar than on any other individual.
When asked how it faces difficult days (moments of stress, failure or low energy, Shamani summed up his philosophy with his characteristic sand: “Whether he has a great day or a terrible day, I go home and work harder.” He explained that he treats both the successes and the setbacks with the same discipline and focus, choosing not to get carried away by celebrations or be discouraged or discouraged by the setbacks.
Closing the session with an inspiring note, Shamani shared a thought that he said defines his approach to life and work: “Ambition is so high that I have forgotten that I am living the life of the dream.”
For him, ambition is not only a goal, but a way of life, a relentless persecution that keeps him punished and motivated, regardless of how high rise.