Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” This quote by John C. Maxwell, the famous American author, speaker, and pastor, perfectly symbolizes the evolution of the role of a business leader in recent years. Gone are the days when subject matter expertise was the only prerequisite for an executive’s success.
Along with chalking out efficient organizational strategies, it is highly imperative for today’s business owners and leaders not just to possess niche skill sets and effective leadership and managerial traits, but also to be drivers of change and mentors to team members companywide. Thus, there has been a heightened demand for leadership and executive coaching services in recent times.
Among the myriad coaches and trainers currently operating in this dynamic arena, one individual who stands out due to his vast cross-functional expertise across industries is Kedar Vashi. A highly distinguished executive coach, leadership development expert, and keynote speaker, Kedar possesses over three decades of experience across diverse domains such as Sales, Human Resources, Consulting, Learning and Development, Talent Management, and Employer Branding, spanning Banking, Packaging, Consulting, Training, and FMCG verticals.
Having trained top-level business leaders across India, the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Uruguay, Guatemala, and Russia, he has garnered immense repute as one of the most sought-after leadership and executive coaches based in India.
Laying the Foundation Stone
Kedar’s journey as a successful Executive Coaching expert has been significantly enhanced by his stints at Dale Carnegie Training and Coca-Cola. Beginning his career at Dale Carnegie as a Facilitator, Kedar quickly gained recognition for his impact-driven training and rose to the role of VP – Trainer Development and Delivery, where he coached and mentored facilitator teams across India.
He later moved on to Coca-Cola, where he leveraged his experience to design, develop, and deliver high-impact leadership sessions for senior leaders across various geographies. This earned him the reputation of a trusted coach and mentor among numerous CXOs within Coca-Cola, a distinction that continues even today.
“Having spent a considerable part of my career in the L&D space and having coached innumerable C-suite executives, including during my tenure as Chief Learning Officer at Coca-Cola, I gradually felt the need to provide my expertise to a wider audience and not be limited to individuals within a single organization, while also giving back to the community. Thus, after a fruitful 15-year stint, I moved out of Coca-Cola and started my own boutique leadership development and coaching practice,” says Kedar.
Expertise-Driven Coaching Programs
Drawing from the extensive knowledge and expertise gained at Coca-Cola and Dale Carnegie, Kedar’s primary areas of practice today include Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Storytelling Workshops, Leadership Journeys, and Keynote Speeches. Some of the major programs he offers include the CXO Storytelling Masterclass, Inspirational Leadership Program, Transformational Leadership Program, Train the Trainer, AI-Proof Leadership, and Curated Leadership Journeys.
Designed specifically for senior executives, the Storytelling Masterclass combines creative exercises, elements of dramatics, and personalized coaching to help individuals become more impactful and inspirational storytellers. Similarly, the Inspirational Leadership Program enables already successful functional leaders to further hone their people management skills, empowering them to lead, inspire, and motivate their teams for improved performance.
True to its name, the Transformational Leadership Program enables individuals to elevate themselves through a thoughtful amalgamation of self-leadership, people leadership, and results leadership principles. Going a step further, Kedar has created his signature Train the Trainer Program, where he utilizes his patented “Learning Effectiveness” model to empower
both aspiring and experienced facilitators. This program has proven immensely beneficial for organizations seeking to build an in-house pool of facilitators capable of developing a sustainable and skilled workforce.
“My mission is to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them grow, while staying rooted in the core values of empathy, insight, and empowerment. Since every individual faces unique challenges, I strive to create a safe learning environment where participants can speak freely and be heard without judgment.
Along with sharing my insights, I encourage them to develop their own, based on their life experiences, careers, backgrounds, and circumstances. Most importantly, I help them build self-confidence so they feel empowered to take charge of their lives and make a meaningful difference,” adds Kedar.
Result-Oriented Approach to Coaching
Unlike many coaches or trainers who lack operational experience, Kedar’s coaching strategy is strongly influenced by his background in sales, which has instilled in him a sharp focus on solving client problems. Rather than relying on a single tool or methodology, he employs a blend of individual coaching, group coaching, leadership journeys, and curated workshops to ensure tangible outcomes.
The most satisfying aspect of my work is meeting, hearing from, and receiving messages from highly successful coachees long after our original engagement, sharing how they continue to apply the learnings from our association to advance their careers
He also defines clear KPIs, including observable behavioral change under pressure, improvements in decision quality, the quality of conversations across the organization, business outcomes linked to leadership behavior, and the sustainability of change over time. Additionally, Kedar deploys 360-degree feedback mechanisms both pre- and post-intervention, enabling him to measure the impact of his coaching at an individual and organizational level.
Recalling an instance that highlights his coaching approach, Kedar shares, “I recently conducted a year-long coaching intervention for senior leaders from one of the world’s largest F&B companies. Instead of a rigid, one-to-one-only approach, I used a combination of coaching methodologies and addressed multiple problem areas to ensure holistic development. Where deeper expertise was required, I also brought in external subject-matter experts to add greater value. As a result, participants demonstrated significant improvement early on, and over 30 percent were promoted or assigned international roles within a short period after completing the program.”
Star-Studded Coaching Journey
Backed by his cross-domain expertise and industry best practices, Kedar has worked with an elite clientele that includes Marico, Ford Motors, Schindler, Henkel, ABN AMRO, Standard Chartered, PwC, Microsoft, Alfa Laval, Tata Motors, Godrej, Cognizant, Cipla, ICICI Prudential, Tata Projects, Lactalis, DBS Bank, and many others.
He has also received numerous awards and recognitions, including the “Training Leadership Award” from the Asia Pacific HRM Congress, the “Best Training and Development Professional Award” from the World HRD Congress, and the “Superior Trainer Award” from Dale Carnegie Training. Additionally, Kedar was invited as the Indian expert by the Association for Talent Development (ATD) to co-author the book Destination Facilitation – A Guide to Training Around the World, alongside leadership experts from across the globe.
Reflecting on the road ahead, Kedar states, “I started this practice not with the objective of building a large business, but with a purpose-driven vision to make a difference in people’s lives. Going forward, my goal remains simple: to continue making a meaningful difference for more people. That is how I choose to measure my success.”
Key Certifications
•Organizational Learning in Action Certification – IMD Business School (Switzerland)
• Certified Master Trainer – Dale Carnegie Training (USA)
• Certified Training Director – Langevin Learning (Canada)
• Workplace Coaching Certification – Noble Manhattan (UK)
• Certified MBTI Practitioner – The MyersBriggs Company, Asia Pacific
• Certified ROI on Training Professional – Jack Phillips ROI Institute (USA)
• Certified Design Thinking Professional – Luma Institute (USA)
• Core Essentials Certification – Coach U Australasia
Client Testimonials
• I attended a Global Leadership Program in Atlanta facilitated by several international trainers, and Kedar stood out among the best. His rare combination of authenticity and deep expertise makes his impact as a leadership coach extraordinary, and his ability to connect with participants makes him an inspiring presence in any room.”
Rajneet Kohli, CEO, Britannia Industries
• “Kedar’s leadership coaching sessions are not just impactful; they are transformative. His ability to simplify complex leadership concepts with authenticity and ease truly sets him apart. The insights gained continue to add value long after the sessions end. Kedar will continue impacting lives for many decades to come.”
Ashok Suvarna, CEO, Birla Money
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read more...
.jpg "Technology in Cancer Care: A story of evolving paradigms")
.jpg "Bringing Shop Floor to Manufacturer's palm: Smart Factory Solutions for tomorrow")
