ADCLOD Podcast with Social Impact Leaders

Ashank Desai Centre for Leadership and Organisational Development | IIMA

In this podcast series by Ashank Desai Centre for Leadership and Organisational Development (ADCLOD), IIM Ahmedabad, we engage in conversations with leaders, changemakers, and founders from the social sector who have created meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of communities through their work. Through these conversations, we capture insights, experiences, and lessons from decades of leadership. The series explores the diverse insights on leadership approaches in the social sector, offering listeners a deeper understanding of what it takes to drive sustainable social change.

  1. Aug 26

    Rajendra Joshi on Building Saath & Social Change | EP.13 ADCLOD Podcast with Social Sector Leaders

    Welcome to Episode 13 of the ADCLOD Podcast with Social Sector Leaders, a podcast series by the Ashank Desai Centre for Leadership and Organisational Development (ADCLOD), IIM Ahmedabad, highlighting the journeys, leadership philosophies, and impact of individuals driving social change across India. In this episode, Prof. Neharika Vohra, Chairperson of ADCLOD, speaks with Rajendra Joshi, founder and managing trustee of Saath Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad, an organization working with low-income and informal communities across India. Rajendra has spent over three decades building community-led approaches to livelihoods, healthcare, education, financial inclusion, housing, and urban development. Rajendra reflects on the origins and evolution of Saath, from its early work with communities in Ahmedabad to building partnerships across communities, government, civil society, and the private sector. He shares insights on participatory leadership, community ownership, trust-building, and why involving people in decision-making and implementation is central to creating sustainable change. The conversation also explores Saath’s approach to inclusive development and its shift from simply providing services to building institutional and market capabilities. Rajendra discusses why he believes communities should be seen as participants and market actors rather than beneficiaries, drawing on Saath’s work with artisans, informal workers, nano entrepreneurs, and underserved communities. Rajendra also reflects on governance, talent development, peace-building, partnerships, and the lessons he has learned over more than three decades of institution-building. He shares his advice for young people who want to work in the social sector and create visible, sustainable change. Join us for an inspiring conversation on grassroots leadership, inclusive development, social entrepreneurship, community ownership, and the power of institutions to create lasting social impact. #ADCLOD #IIMAhmedabad #SocialImpact #RajendraJoshi #Saath #SocialEntrepreneurship #GrassrootsLeadership #InclusiveDevelopment #UrbanDevelopment #CommunityLeadership #SocialInnovation #Leadership #InclusiveCities #SocialSector

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In this podcast series by Ashank Desai Centre for Leadership and Organisational Development (ADCLOD), IIM Ahmedabad, we engage in conversations with leaders, changemakers, and founders from the social sector who have created meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of communities through their work. Through these conversations, we capture insights, experiences, and lessons from decades of leadership. The series explores the diverse insights on leadership approaches in the social sector, offering listeners a deeper understanding of what it takes to drive sustainable social change.