Vishal Sikka’s Journey: From SAP to Leading Infosys as CEO
A Whirlwind Transition to Leadership
Vishal Sikka’s career took a dramatic turn in May 2014 when he abruptly resigned as SAP’s head of products. Just months later, he was preparing to assume the role of CEO at global IT giant Infosys, effective August 1st.
The Path to Infosys
- Left SAP in May after 12 years with the company
- Initially planned to take the summer off to consider options
- Received and accepted Infosys’ CEO offer in June
- Will lead a company with 160,000+ employees worldwide
Why This Appointment Matters
Sikka’s appointment represents a significant moment for India’s IT sector:
Compensation Benchmark:
- $5 million base salary
- $7+ million total annual package
- Highest paid IT CEO in India at the time
Leadership Perspective: In a blog post, Sikka reflected how his rapid transitions mirrored the disruptions large organizations face - potentially giving him unique insight into leading Infosys through transformation.
Sikka’s Vision for Infosys
During conversations that summer, Sikka shared his ambitious outlook:
Software as a Catalyst for Change
- Believes in technology’s power to improve the world
- Sees Infosys’ cross-industry presence as an innovation platform
- Advocates for “amplification” over simple augmentation
Preparing for the Challenge
- Spent pre-start time deeply understanding Infosys’ operations
- Acknowledged need to stabilize before implementing changes
- Expressed enthusiasm for the company’s “positive energy”
The Road Ahead
While Sikka recognized the scrutiny he would face, he approached the role with characteristic optimism:
- Planned to leverage his product development expertise
- Aimed to expand Infosys’ capabilities beyond traditional services
- Remained committed to meaningful organizational transformation
As Sikka himself put it: “A great change is coming.” His journey from SAP to Infosys leadership marked the beginning of a new chapter for both the executive and the company he was preparing to steer into the future.
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