LEADERSHIP Conversations with the Captains of Industry Leading With Passion and Focusing on That “One Thing”
About one year ago, Lakshmanan Chidambaram, who often goes by CTL, was appointed chief executive officer and managing director of Bristlecone, a pure-play supply chain services provider and Mahindra Group company. He brought more than three decades of experience in global technology services and business transformation. Along with his role at Bristlecone, CTL serves on the board of the US-India Business Council and has participated in the World Economic Forum and the WSJ CEO Council. Chidambaram, a bookworm and history buff, notes that the name “Bristlecone” comes from the bristlecone pine tree, which is the oldest surviving tree on the planet. “It’s many thousands of years old and has learned to adapt and thrive,” he says. The lessons of adaptability are particularly relevant to many supply chain professionals today. Increasing unpredictability as a result of geopolitical conflicts, tariffs, and advancing technology, among other changes, is compelling supply chain organizations, as well as the companies that advise and support them, like Bristlecone, to adapt. “The world needs our services and our expertise, and we need to learn and adapt and evolve as we shape the future of this company,” Chidambaram says. Here, he shares his insight on leading through disruption and change. IL: How can you help Bristlecone employees adapt to the current, ever-changing environment so they can provide the services and expertise your clients need? I think about this every day. Some parts of what we do will change dramatically, and we should be at the forefront. One step in preparing for the future is tripling our consulting practice. We believe that’s the tip of the spear, and we need consultants who can understand the problems our customers face and help determine how to solve them. The second part is using artificial intelligence. It’s a transformative technology, and it will play a role in every aspect of delivery to our clients. We have to do 30% more with what we have, which means every employee has to leverage AI technology. It all goes to the culture within the company. In good times and bad, culture is the one thing that doesn’t change and that differentiates you.
Lakshmanan Chidambaram (CTL), CEO and Managing Director, Bristlecone
A culture built on trust, the courage to do what’s right, and setting “big, hairy, audacious goals” guides Bristlecone CEO Lakshmanan Chidambaram through the unpredictable era of global supply chain disruption.
by Karen Kroll
10 Inbound Logistics • June 2026
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