Global mindset, global success at Tata Consultancy Services

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to exemplify how Mr Surya Kant, President of North American, UK and European Operations in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), leads and grows a complex global company by adopting and operationalizing a global mindset.Design methodology approach - This paper applies a social constructionist interview method, which focuses upon the reflectivity of the research in critically constructing meaning from qualitative data collected through personal interviews. The paper links information gleaned from a semi-structured interview with Mr Kant to a theoretical discussion of the construct of global mindset. In so doing, it demonstrates the paradox of complexity in global leadership and illustrates the applicability of theory in global leadership practice.Findings - This paper aids in making the case for the application of an inductive qualitative methodology by showing that inductive approaches to business research have, as their base, the lived experiences of people operating in a business context. The paper found a close link among the theoretical constructs of global mindset, paradox theory, complexity, leadership and global business, and their use and applicability in driving a global corporation.Originality value - In making explicit the links between theory and practice, this paper illuminates the practical application of academic literature and theoretical constructs in the arena of global business and global leadership, thereby bridging the oft-cited theoretician-practitioner-bifurcation in business research.