When promoted into the higher echelons of the industrial ladder, most employees would gradually become detached from their company’s lower tiers and their former work relations. However, this is not the case for AXA Philippines’ President and Executive Managing Director, Rahul Hora. His uncompensated, out-of-the-office interactions with staff members, and his inclusive, successful leadership style makes Hora truly deserving to be one of Asia’s Outstanding Leaders.
Since AXA Philippines’ birth 19 years ago, it has grown exponentially, moving four times faster than its highly competitive industry, and becoming Philippines’ second largest insurance company. This rapid growth can be attributed to their innovative, agile mindset, which brought on a major business shift to online services and increased prominence in the rapid paced market. They are also able to provide a complete suite of insurance products to their clients, a feature only the top five insurance companies could offer. This transformational, successful change was instigated by Hora himself upon his arrival as a Chief Agency Officer in 2009.
With his adaptability, foresight and plethora of experience in Insurance and FMCG, Hora gradually rose through the ranks, joining the Board of Directors in 2012. In 2015, he became the Chief Officer and further boosted the organisation, leading their 1,200 full time employees and 4,000 agents towards a more customer centric approach while focusing on digital transformation. His presidency in 2016 has only further boosted the company’s highly regarded reputation, with the organisation breaking its annual premium income records twice last year accompanied by the introduction of a new range of products with 100 percent customer satisfaction.
The key to the 44-year-old’s leadership skills is his inclusive, open mindset. He has arranged AXA Philippines’ organisational infrastructure to take on a democratic approach, focusing on decentralised decision making, transparency and inclusive collaboration. The institution also offers their staff several opportunities, such as overseas projects, state-of-the-art facilities and online training courses that mould and develop them into future industry leaders. Hora is heavy involved in the Human Relations department where he ensures the development of his employees and forms an established relationship of trust and respect with each one of them, even if it means taking time off his busy schedule. The system empowers his employees, bringing not only improvements in efficiency and production, but also developing the company’s future leaders.
Hora explains that by practicing openness to his staff and their differing perspectives, regardless of age, experience or background, he obtains a deep understanding of the true workings in his own company on both a macro and micro level. Hence, he is able to snuff out issues early, and open doors to unexpected opportunities. Hora believes that this element is vital to his inclusive leadership strategy, and is a necessary skill for top leader executives.
Such leadership skills is mainly attributed to his role models: his father, Vinod Kumar Hora, and Shikha Sharma, former Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Prudential, and current CEO and Managing Director of Axis Bank. From his father, the graduate of St Stephen’s college learnt soft skills such as integrity, being results-orientated, and diligence, regarding them as important as technical skills in his work ethic. He has also picked up qualities displayed by Sharma such as her risk-taking ability, willingness to learn and work-life balance. Although his formal education in Physics, Math, Chemistry and Management was essential to his success, much of his skills came from the workplace.
Hora is the prime example of an encouraging leader who listens and pays heed to the opinions and needs of his employees. Despite achievements and awards his company receives, Hora humbles himself, stating, “If I touch one life in a positive way, if I am able to overcome my own challenges and have them resonate with others, I would consider myself successful.”
