The Law of Leadership: How Dr. G.V. Rao is Rewriting the Rules of Influence and Impact

From courtroom victories to global diplomacy, India’s Senior Advocate, Dr. G.V Rao crafts a legacy of principled power and progressive thought

By all conventional measures, Dr. G.V. Rao is a towering figure in India’s legal landscape—a Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, Vice-President of global peace forums, and the recipient of two international doctorates. Yet, his real impact lies beyond titles and accolades. Dr. Rao represents a different breed of leadership: one that is anchored in values, committed to public service, and acutely aware of its moral responsibility.

In a time when many leaders chase influence through visibility, Dr. Rao wields it with quiet, deliberate conviction. His leadership is not a show of dominance, but a demonstration of depth.

“I faced numerous challenges in my professional journey, often stemming from individuals who, either deliberately or due to limited vision, created obstacles for high performers. These impediments delayed success and recognition. However, I consistently pursued progress on multiple fronts, without waiting on stalled or obstructed matters. The key is maintaining momentum through strategic and well-timed efforts.”

An Alphabet of Ethics

At the core of Dr. Rao’s leadership style is a personal doctrine—an A-to-Z value system. Each letter symbolizes a principle that governs his life and work: “A for making the world a better place, B for helping the deserving, C for supporting good causes…” and so on. “Z,” perhaps appropriately, represents the imperative to “stay cheerful and keep your head high.”

This framework is not just theoretical. It is reflected in the way he mentors juniors, manages clients, contributes to global policy, and navigates the public stage. It’s a holistic code—a blueprint for what he terms “value-based, purposeful leadership.”

His professional choices, from never soliciting work to prioritizing honesty and humility, underscore a refusal to compromise on integrity, even under pressure. “Command respect,” he says, “but never demand it.”

Inspiration Through Immersion

Rather than motivating through directives, Dr. Rao believes in immersion. He brings his team into the center of his work, ensuring that success is experienced collectively. “Inspiration is not handed down—it is transferred through participation,” he says.

He encourages young lawyers and professionals to study the lives of great leaders, read books that have inspired him, and reflect on real-world experiences. Sharing accolades and rewarding initiative are part of his leadership arsenal. “When you make people feel they are part of something meaningful, you don’t need to motivate—they become self-driven.”

Resilience by Design

Leadership inevitably comes with its share of challenges. For Dr. Rao, the obstacles were often systemic—“deliberate or unenlightened roadblocks” placed by those threatened by performance and progress. But he didn’t allow them to define his trajectory.

His approach was simple: don’t rely on one channel for success. “I learned early that making consistent progress on multiple fronts was the only way to outpace delay and disruption,” he shares. It is this strategic multitasking—executed with precision and discipline—that became the foundation of his resilience.

From National Courtrooms to Global Platforms

While Dr. Rao’s core profession is law, his aspirations and actions extend well beyond. He is actively involved with the United Nations, WTO, UNESCO, International Criminal Court, and other international organizations, bringing legal expertise to bear on global governance challenges.

His role as Vice-President of the Indian Society of International Law, Chairman of the National Council for Arbitration and Mediation at ASSOCHAM, and President of the Education Law and Policy Association of India puts him at the heart of policy development. These roles, he says, allow him to “blend legal intellect with institutional reform.”

What stands out is not just the breadth of his engagement, but the philosophy that drives it: service through leadership. “I want my work to outlive me. I want to solve problems today in a way that benefits generations tomorrow.”

Mentoring the Future, Preserving the Past

Education and mentorship are not afterthoughts in Dr. Rao’s world—they are integral. He has served as visiting faculty at premier institutions such as IIM Lucknow, Amity Business School, and JECRC University, and has lectured at over a dozen legal and management institutions.

His chambers in Delhi are more than a workplace—they are incubators for the next generation of ethical legal professionals. “When young lawyers come to me, I see potential, but I also see responsibility. They’re not just learning law; they’re learning values.”

He credits much of his own evolution to mentors such as Soli J. Sorabjee, K. Parasaran, Ram Jethmalani, and his father, Dr. G.V.G. Krishnamurty, former Election Commissioner of India. “These were men of towering intellect and integrity. They shaped how I think, how I lead, and how I serve.”

Beyond Indian stalwarts, Dr. Rao draws inspiration from international figures like Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, and H.H. Dalai Lama. This blend of global and domestic influences forms the cultural and intellectual foundation of his mentorship.

A Legal Mind with a Global Conscience

Dr. Rao’s leadership is inseparable from his social conscience. To him, the legal profession is not just a service—it is a sacred trust. “People come to a lawyer with more than just their problems—they come with hope,” he says. “The least we can do is honor that trust with competency and compassion.”

He has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection long before it became fashionable. A founding member of LAW-E (Lawyers for Environment), Dr. Rao has supported initiatives related to solar and wind energy, population control, and sustainable urban development for over four decades.

He sees environmental responsibility not as an optional agenda, but as a central pillar of ethical leadership. “Supporting sustainability is not a choice—it is a duty, particularly for those in positions of influence.”

His awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflects his global orientation and strategic alignment with contemporary policy priorities.

A Legacy Written in Service, Not Statues

When asked about the legacy he wishes to leave, Dr. Rao doesn’t speak of landmarks, buildings, or institutions. He speaks of people.

“I want to be remembered as someone who made life better—one person at a time. A client, a student, a peer. That’s leadership to me.”

His ideal legacy is not one of power or popularity, but of impact rooted in empathy, courage, and logic. He envisions a world where leadership is not defined by authority, but by action—where influence is measured not by headlines but by lives changed.

“I want to be known as someone who led without prejudice, who respected science, embraced reason, and remained deeply human.”

The Takeaway for Today’s Leaders

In a hyper-competitive age of personal branding, media manipulation, and fast fame, Dr. G.V. Rao is a case study in authentic authority. His life reminds us that leadership, when rooted in values and expressed through service, transcends industries and generations.

He shows that it is possible to rise without compromise, to influence without arrogance, and to lead without abandoning conscience.

As India and the world continue to redefine what leadership looks like, perhaps it is time we looked not just at those who climb fastest—but those who climb ethically, and who, in the process, build ladders for others.

Dr. Rao has done precisely that—and in doing so, has not just upheld the law, but also the greater law of leadership itself.