As Global Capability Centers continue to evolve from operational hubs into strategic innovation engines, leadership approaches are also changing. In fast-scaling environments, the most effective leaders are those who recognize that sustainable growth comes from investing in people and enabling them to lead.
In this edition of GCC Pulse’s International Women’s Day leadership series, aligned with the theme “Give to Gain,” Rency Mathew, Managing Director – Sabre Bengaluru and APAC & ANZ People Leader at Sabre Corporation, reflects on the leadership choices that help organizations build stronger teams and future leaders.
For Rency, the essence of “Give to Gain” lies in how leaders share opportunities.
In a fast-growing GCC, ‘Give to Gain’ means recognizing that the meaning of true leadership is sharing opportunities.
As GCCs expand their global responsibilities, leaders must consciously invest in people before expecting outcomes. One of the most powerful things leaders can offer, she believes, is trust through ownership and responsibility.
When employees are trusted with decision-making authority and meaningful opportunities, they move beyond simply executing tasks to actively shaping solutions. That shift not only builds confidence but also accelerates capability development and encourages innovation across teams.
According to Rency, creating an environment where teams feel empowered to experiment, take calculated risks, and learn quickly has helped strengthen both resilience and accountability within the organization.
This approach also signals a broader leadership mindset — that leadership is not about gatekeeping decision-making power but about enabling others to grow into leadership roles themselves. Over time, this builds stronger collaboration and creates a culture capable of sustaining long-term growth.
Building Stronger Women Leadership Pipelines
While many organizations recognize the importance of gender diversity, Rency believes the real shift comes when organizations move from intent to deliberate action.
Mentorship plays an important role, but sponsorship is often the true accelerator of leadership growth.
Leaders need to actively advocate for talented women, ensure they gain visibility in strategic projects and global forums, and create opportunities for them to participate in key decision-making environments.
She also emphasizes the importance of clear promotion criteria, flexible career pathways, and leadership development programs that encourage sponsorship.
When organizations intentionally create these opportunities, they not only improve gender diversity but also strengthen leadership teams with broader perspectives and more innovative ideas.
For Rency, inclusive leadership is not just about representation; it is about creating systems that allow future leaders to emerge and thrive.
Also in this series: Sirisha Voruganti on scaling high-performance teams through trust and empowerment.
Part of GCC Pulse’s ‘International Women’s Day 2026 Leadership Series’, featuring insights from women leaders across the GCC ecosystem on the theme “Give to Gain.”
