Topic: From Clerk to CEO: Reinvention, Opportunity Focus, and Building for the Next Century
Event: Global CXO Accelerator Summit 2025
Host: Dr. Mudit Saxena, Global CXO Leadership Coach
Guest: Sreekrishnan Keech, Managing Director & CEO, Karnataka Bank
Mudit Saxena
Welcome, Keech. You’ve been a leader for decades, but let’s go back to your roots. How did your journey begin?
Sreekrishnan Keech
Thank you, Mudit. It’s always a joy to meet young, aspiring CXOs. My journey began very humbly — as a clerk-typist at Bank of America in Chennai. That’s where I learned typing, which later helped me write press releases and strategic documents swiftly. But more than typing speed, it was clarity of thought that helped me grow. I believe that when your thoughts are clear, your writing and decision-making reflect that clarity.
Later, I pursued my management degree at LIBA, Chennai, while working. That education and my on-the-job learning helped me build strong foundations. Over time, I transitioned into larger roles, and today I lead a 101-year-old bank.
Mudit Saxena
You were part of HDFC Bank’s founding team. What made it special?
Sreekrishnan Keech
HDFC Bank was born in a unique era — when India’s banking sector was just opening up. We saw a gap: public sector banks had reach but lacked technology, while foreign banks had the tech but not the network. We decided to bridge this gap.
The environment was fast-paced — if you achieved 120% of your targets, that was just “doing your job.” You had to do 160–180% to be seen as a top performer. But it was also deeply fulfilling. We worked hard, learned constantly, and grew with the bank. That early exposure to innovation shaped my mindset for decades to come.
Mudit Saxena
You’ve worked with startups and 100-year-old institutions. How do you adapt your leadership?
Sreekrishnan Keech
I’ve been part of four startups — two commercial banks, one payments firm, and now Karnataka Bank, which we’re rejuvenating with a “Startup @ 100” mindset. It’s about bringing startup energy into a legacy institution.
Every role has taught me something. At startups, boundaries blur, and you wear many hats. At legacy organizations, you need to foster change without losing core strengths. In both cases, the goal is to add value — to customers, to your team, and to the organization.
I’ve learned that if you consistently deliver value, the organization grows — and you grow with it. That’s the fundamental rule.
Mudit Saxena
What are your key lessons for mid-career professionals aiming for CXO roles?
Sreekrishnan Keech
Great question. Here’s what I’d say:
- Think Big: Dreaming is easy. Executing is hard. You need both.
- Shift from Execution to Strategy: You can’t just “do” — you must start thinking at a macro level.
- Own the P&L: Whether you’re in tech or finance, start owning outcomes — revenue, cost, compliance, customer experience.
- Move from Functional Head to Business Head: This is the big leap. Own the entire vertical, not just your function.
- Create Value: For customers, for your organization, and eventually for yourself. If your work creates value, you will be rewarded.
I also recommend the 3–2–1 model: be in the top 3 in your business, move from #3 to #2, then to #1. That mindset drives excellence.
Mudit Saxena
You mentioned “opportunity focus” over “problem focus.” Could you explain that?
Sreekrishnan Keech
When you’re problem-focused, you stay internal. But when you’re opportunity-focused, you solve internal problems and create external value.
At HDFC Bank, we saw how stock exchanges went paperless. The challenge was matching fund flow with security flow. We solved that, and suddenly, the entire capital markets ecosystem started using our banking platform. One solution scaled across the industry.
Another example: UPI. The government built the rails, but players like PhonePe and Google Pay created the use cases. That’s opportunity focus — seeing beyond the immediate and building what scales.
Solve for one. Scale to many. That’s how opportunity-focused thinking works.
Mudit Saxena
So how do Mid-career professionals make this shift? From specialist to business leader?
Sreekrishnan Keech
The first step is to raise your hand. Take on responsibility beyond your job description. Say yes to new initiatives, even if they’re risky.
From ages 20–30, focus on learning. From 30–40, consolidate and expand your influence. From 40 onward, you should be driving strategic growth — not just executing but shaping the future.
Also, choose organizations that are growing and changing. That’s where you learn and contribute the most.
Mudit Saxena
What about tough times in your career? How do you deal with setbacks?
Sreekrishnan Keech
Careers are like Test matches — long and filled with ups and downs. One or two bad years don’t define you. Look at the big picture.
Sometimes it’s market forces. Sometimes it’s internal politics. Sometimes it’s timing. But you must focus on your long-term value creation. Reinvent yourself. Adapt. Align with the ecosystem’s needs. That’s the only way forward.
Audience Q&A Highlights
Q: Are mid-40s professionals really being replaced by younger hires?
A: That’s a myth. Yes, some firms optimize costs. But many still need mature, experienced leaders — especially as traditional businesses reinvent themselves. Reinvention is the answer.
Q: How do we start becoming opportunity-focused?
A: Observe trends. Solve for one client, then scale that solution. Think like a product manager. Use the UPI example — value lies in scalable use cases.
Q: How do senior leaders take better decisions under pressure?
A: Not every decision will be right. What matters is how quickly you correct course. Support your teams. Stay calm. Maintain your energy and discipline through routine — exercise, healthy eating, time for thinking.
Closing Reflections from Sreekrishnan
- Reinvent yourself — constantly.
- Shift from execution to strategy and value creation.
- Choose growth-focused organizations.
- Say yes to responsibility before it’s assigned.
- Deliver value consistently. You’ll be impossible to ignore.
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