Name: Dr. Krishna Kumar

Title: CEO- GreenSignature

Organisation: GreenSignature Services Private Limited

Dr. Krishna Kumar is the CEO of GreenSignature, a globally acclaimed ESG rating and sustainability research organisation. As a visionary leader, Krishna empowers businesses to enhance their sustainability branding, streamline ESG activity management, and implement DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies effectively.

A renowned mental health and wellness entrepreneur, Krishna Kumar combines his expertise as a psychologist, mindfulness master coach, and professional trainer to serve individuals and organisations across 35+ countries. His work spans organisational wellness, emotional intelligence, career coaching, and sustainability consulting, making him a sought-after advisor for business transparency and corporate responsibility initiatives.

Krishna holds multiple credentials as an RCI-licensed rehabilitation professional, researcher, and educator in mindfulness-based interventions, behavioural wellness, alternative therapies, and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). As a chartered advisory member for leading organisations and a trusted personal consultant to top-tier business leaders worldwide, Krishna drives impactful solutions for business credibility, organisational sustainability, and ESG compliance.

His expertise helps businesses build trust and transparency, strengthen brand reputation, and achieve measurable success in ESG and DEI initiatives, aligning with the core mission of GreenSignature to advance global sustainability and ethical business practices.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope Krishna's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

As a leader, building trust starts with practising transparency in everything I do. I believe in keeping things in black and white, ensuring clarity for all stakeholders—employees, customers, and partners—rather than creating ambiguity or leaving room for assumptions. Trust is earned when people see consistency between words and actions. For me, that means delivering on commitments, being upfront about challenges, and providing solutions that reflect fairness and integrity.

With employees, I emphasize open communication and shared ownership of goals. People perform at their best when they know their contributions matter and their voices are heard. I encourage dialogue, value feedback, and ensure recognition for their efforts. Transparency fosters a workplace culture where trust becomes second nature.

For customers and stakeholders, trust is built through ethical practices, measurable outcomes, and an unwavering focus on accountability. Whether it’s about business processes, sustainability initiatives, or delivering results, I make sure that stakeholders have clear insights into what we stand for and how we operate. This approach ensures that we’re not just ticking boxes but creating genuine, lasting value.

The world is demanding greater accountability and clarity, whether in business transparency, sustainability, or diversity and inclusion practices. I see this not just as a responsibility but as an opportunity to lead by example. When stakeholders realize that you operate with integrity and clarity, trust becomes the natural outcome. At the end of the day, I believe honesty is the strongest currency any leader can have.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

For me, VISION is the ability to see beyond the present, to anticipate where the world is heading, and to align your business purpose with what truly matters—transparency, trust, and impact. It’s the unwavering belief in a better future and committing every action to achieve it. VISION is not just words framed on a wall; it’s a roadmap that guides decisions, inspires teams, and resonates with every stakeholder you serve.

MISSION, on the other hand, is action-oriented. It’s the ‘how’ behind the ‘why.’ If vision is the destination, the mission is the journey—how we show up, deliver value, and earn trust every day. In business, mission means walking the talk, turning commitments into measurable results, and holding ourselves accountable for every promise we make.

In the real world, living your vision and mission looks like this: staying transparent, keeping things black and white with all stakeholders, and not getting lost in ambiguity or buzzwords. It means listening to your clients, aligning solutions with their real challenges, and staying grounded in ethical practices and long-term impact. In my experience, businesses that champion this clarity, whether in sustainability, diversity, or ESG management, are the ones that create trust, credibility, and enduring value.

Ultimately, a clear vision and mission build a bridge between intention and reality. It’s how we ensure businesses aren’t just talking about sustainability or transparency but actually leading it, living it, and making a tangible difference.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

Empowering people starts with clarity and trust. As a leader, one of the most impactful things you can do is to ensure your team has a clear understanding of the organisation's vision, their roles, and how their contributions align with the bigger picture. When there is transparency in communication and decision-making, people feel more connected and accountable.

It’s essential to create an environment where feedback flows both ways. Leaders should actively listen to their teams, value diverse perspectives, and provide growth opportunities. Empowerment also means trusting your team to take ownership of their work while offering support when needed. This balance between guidance and autonomy builds confidence and fosters innovation.

Another critical element is leading by example. Integrity, fairness, and consistency in actions build trust. I personally believe in a "black and white" approach—being clear, straightforward, and ethical with all stakeholders. When your actions consistently reflect your words, you not only earn respect but also inspire the same behaviour in others.

Lastly, empowerment thrives on celebrating successes, big or small. Acknowledging contributions fuels motivation and reinforces a culture of collaboration and achievement. Empowered individuals drive better outcomes, and when they see their efforts making a tangible impact, they become the strongest advocates for the organisation’s mission.

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

My father has been the first and most impactful mentor in my life, shaping the very foundation of how I approach leadership, business, and personal integrity. He used to tell me, *“If you don’t trust what you do or sell, you can’t win people, nor can you sell it. When you don’t trust its impact, you’re merely scamming yourself and others.”* These words have stayed with me throughout my journey as a leader, entrepreneur, and coach.

I remember a particular instance early in my career when I faced a tough decision. I was working on a project with a team that promised big results but lacked the authenticity I value. Financially, it seemed like an opportunity too good to pass up, but something didn’t sit right with me. My father’s words rang loud in my mind: *“Trust what you do.”*

I walked away from that opportunity, despite the pressure, and invested my time in building solutions I deeply believed in—ones that would benefit businesses, people, and the planet in meaningful ways. That decision became the cornerstone of my leadership philosophy. It taught me that trust, transparency, and credibility are not negotiable. They are what drives long-term success, builds relationships, and earns respect.

Today, as the CEO of GreenSignature, those values continue to guide me. Whether it’s helping organisations achieve true transparency, implement meaningful **ESG strategies**, or embrace **diversity, equity, and inclusion**, I believe in every solution I offer. My father’s lesson taught me that trust in what you do is the greatest asset any leader can have. It’s not just about selling a product or an idea—it’s about standing behind it with unwavering belief and letting that belief inspire others.

True leadership, for me, starts with that trust. When your actions align with your values, you don’t just lead—you create an impact that lasts.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

As a leader, I’ve always believed that effective leadership is as much about what you avoid as it is about what you choose to do. One of the key practices I follow is resisting the urge to micromanage. Empowering my team to take ownership of their roles not only fosters innovation but also allows me to focus on the bigger picture—strategic decision-making and long-term goals.

Another discipline I maintain is saying “no” to distractions that don't align with our core values and mission. In an era of constant noise, it’s easy to lose focus, but staying true to the principles of sustainability, transparency, and equity ensures that every action adds meaningful value.

I also prioritise clarity in communication and delegation. This avoids unnecessary overlaps and ensures the team is aligned in purpose. For me, mindfulness plays a significant role in this. By practising mindfulness daily, I sharpen my focus and make more intentional decisions that resonate with our mission of fostering trust and sustainability for businesses.

As the CEO of GreenSignature, my focus is on creating a culture where transparency and accountability thrive. This approach not only sustains the organisation but also builds lasting relationships with businesses that rely on us to enhance their ESG and DEI initiatives. By leading with clarity and intention, I ensure my energy is spent on actions that truly matter, both for our organisation and for the global impact we aim to achieve.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

Planning is the backbone of progress, and I believe that a clear roadmap ensures consistent growth and impactful outcomes. For me, planning is not just about checking tasks off a list; it’s about aligning actions with purpose.

At the start of each week, I focus on setting clear priorities. I assess ongoing projects, connect with my team to align on deliverables, and ensure we’re working toward immediate milestones. Flexibility is key—there’s always room for unexpected opportunities or challenges, but I believe in having a guiding plan that keeps us focused.

When planning for the month, I adopt a more strategic view. I review the progress of key initiatives, evaluate whether we’re on track with organisational goals such as ESG research timelines, DEI implementation programs, or sustainability projects, and recalibrate if needed. This period also allows me to identify any gaps, improve processes, and collaborate with stakeholders across multiple geographies.

On an annual scale, my focus is vision-driven. I look at how we can bring greater value to businesses through transparent solutions, sustainability research, and fostering trust. This involves identifying emerging trends, expanding GreenSignature's reach, and empowering organisations to grow with ethical, responsible practices. Long-term plans are where we embed innovation and scalability while ensuring our mission remains intact.

Throughout all this, I keep space for people and purpose—whether it's my team’s well-being or the success of clients we work with. Planning for me is an ongoing commitment to excellence, with a sharp focus on the bigger picture: helping businesses build credibility, trust, and a sustainable future.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

As a leader, especially when you're starting out, it’s natural to feel like you must carry everything on your shoulders. Delegating isn’t about letting go of control; it’s about trusting the process and the people around you. I’ve learned over time that failure isn’t a full stop—it’s just a pause where you reassess, re-align, and get back up to do it differently.

If you’re struggling to delegate, ask yourself: Is it fear of mistakes, or is it a reluctance to trust others with your vision? Often, the solution lies in taking small steps. Start by delegating tasks that allow room for growth—not just for your team but also for you as a leader. Failure will happen; it’s inevitable. But here’s the truth: failure teaches consistency, and consistency leads to success.

Early in my journey, I tried to do everything myself, believing no one could execute like I could. But what I learned was that you can never scale or sustain success if you don’t learn to empower others. Delegation is not just task distribution—it’s a tool to create a culture of trust where people are motivated to bring their best to the table. Your role as a leader is to guide, inspire, and sometimes step back so others can step up.

At GreenSignature, when we help businesses align their ESG strategies or DEI goals, we emphasise one thing: small, consistent actions lead to sustainable change. The same applies to leadership. Don’t give up because you struggled the first time. Let go of perfectionism, face the discomfort, and start again. Success belongs to those who keep showing up and refining their process, even after failure.

Delegation might feel messy at first, but it’s where true leadership begins. Remember, as you grow, so does your team—and when you win, you win together. Consistency and trust are what will ultimately set you apart as a leader.