Marut Bhardwaj
Leadership, unmasked. Humanity, restored.
I’m Marut Bhardwaj—leadership development expert, keynote speaker, and the author of Leadership Unmasked.
For over 25 years, I’ve worked with global organizations to help leaders unlearn
performance myths and relearn the wisdom of human connection, trust, and courage.
But this isn’t just my profession. It’s my calling.
A Life in Leadership
My journey began not in corporate boardrooms, but in moments of deep
reflection—watching teams crack under pressure, watching high performers burn out, and
noticing how the most “successful” leaders often felt the most alone.
I saw that something vital was missing in the way we were taught to lead. That “something”
was being human.
And so, I set out to rediscover leadership—not as a set of competencies, but as a path of
awareness, compassion, and courage.
I’ve since partnered with companies like Unilever, IKEA, Genpact, Bosch, Capgemini, CISCO,
Kimberly Clarck and Microsoft to facilitate leadership programs that invite leaders to come
back to who they really are—and lead from there.
My Beliefs
- Trust is the new currency of leadership. Without it, performance is transactional. With it, teams transform.
- Vulnerability is not weakness—it’s magnetic. It gives others permission to show up fully.
- Compassion and clarity are not opposites. Together, they fuel bold, wise leadership.
Why I Wrote Leadership Unmasked
This book was born from a quiet frustration—and a loud hope.
Frustration that despite all our leadership development, so many myths still persist:
“Leaders must always be in control.” “Empathy is a distraction.” “Results matter more than
relationships.”
Hope that if we name these myths—and replace them with deeper truths—we can create
workplaces that don’t just perform, but heal, grow, and inspire.
Leadership Unmasked is not a book. It’s a mirror for every leader who dares to pause,
question, and grow.
Former co-founder of a boutique brand consulting firm
Senior leader at Potential Project International
Certified in Mindfulness-based leadership and Conscious Coaching practices
25+ years of experience designing leadership programs across 20+ countries