Learning Leadership from the Best: Novartis’ Immersive Experience with Mumbai’s Dabbawallahs

Novartis partnered with FocusU to create a leadership immersion experience in Mumbai, designed to impart leadership lessons to a group of country heads under the guidance of their Global CEO. The chosen experience involved engaging with Mumbai’s renowned Dabbawallahs, known for their nearly flawless logistics despite limited formal education, exemplifying Six Sigma efficiency.

The day began with an introduction to the Dabbawallahs’ system, followed by teams splitting into groups to observe and document their operations. Participants followed Dabbawallahs through crowded routes, tracked the coding mechanisms used for organization, and interviewed customers about their experiences. This immersive activity allowed leaders to draw valuable insights into teamwork, reliability, and process efficiency.

The day concluded with teams reconvening to analyze their observations, creating a documentary that captured their learnings. Feedback from Novartis highlighted FocusU’s execution and its impact on fostering a “WOW” experience that resonated deeply with business relevance. The initiative left a lasting impression, blending cultural immersion with leadership principles applicable to Novartis’s global operations.