Bala V. Sathyanarayanam, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Greif Inc., is a leader driven by the principle of service. His goal extends far beyond achieving personal milestones; he strives to create a lasting impact on the people he works with, equipping them with the tools and guidance to thrive in their careers long after his direct influence ends. For Bala, success is about fostering alignment—ensuring that global colleagues, roles, and responsibilities converge to support organizational goals and Greif’s overarching purpose of delivering exceptional service to customers. “Success in a global organization is about alignment,” he explains. “Aligning our global colleagues, roles, and responsibilities to our company goals and priorities helps deliver sustainable success.”

Bala’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Inspired by the values instilled by his parents, he learned early on that true fulfillment lies in serving others. This principle, they taught him, not only boosts mental health and emotional well-being but also enhances self-esteem. “If you serve others,” Bala shares, “the benefits will pay itself forward.” These lessons have shaped his career, prioritizing the empowerment of others over personal ambition. His time as an Eagle Scout and other leadership roles during his school and college years further reinforced his ethos of always being prepared to help others succeed in ways they may not have envisioned for themselves.

At Greif Inc., Bala’s role is integral to the company’s mission of redefining the packaging and containers industry. Founded in 1877 and headquartered in Cleveland, Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, with a presence in more than 44 countries. The company provides a wide range of solutions, from steel, plastic, and fiber drums to intermediate bulk containers, containerboard, and specialty products. Guided by its vision of delivering the best industrial packaging and customer service in the world, Greif’s success is built on its core values of ethics, diversity, and sustainability. Bala plays a key role in shaping Greif’s human resources strategy, ensuring it aligns with the company’s global priorities. His vision is to enable a world-class, diverse, and engaged workforce that drives innovation and competitiveness. However, for him, HR is not just about recruiting diverse talent. It’s about creating opportunities for growth, retaining high performers, and nurturing a culture where employees can thrive. By developing platforms for learning and advancement, he ensures that Greif’s workforce remains future-ready.

Through his leadership, Bala exemplifies how servant leadership can create meaningful change. His approach not only contributes to Greif’s success but also inspires those around him to achieve their potential, embodying a legacy of service that will resonate for generations.

Building a Workforce That Drives Success

Bala’s role goes beyond traditional HR functions, involving collaboration with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Leadership Council, and the Board of Directors to design organizational structures, implement change, and anticipate future needs. Through his strategic vision, he ensures that Greif’s workforce is not only prepared for today’s challenges but is also equipped to deliver long-term value to its customers. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the principle of prioritizing people. He believes that recognizing employees’ contributions fosters motivation, which ultimately translates to better customer service and business success. Reflecting on this, he shares, “If we take care of our employees, the employees will take care of our customers, and if we take care of our customers, the customers will take care of our company.” This simple yet profound approach drives his efforts to create an environment where employees feel valued and empowered.

Describing himself as a “Relator,” Bala thrives on building meaningful relationships. He is comfortable working with people at all levels and takes deliberate steps to foster an atmosphere of trust and camaraderie. For Bala, leadership is not just about achieving targets but also about the small, intentional gestures that create balance and connection. A smile, a helping hand, or a genuine inquiry about someone’s well-being, he believes, can strengthen teams and relationships. His approach emphasizes that leadership is most fulfilling when it serves others, and he champions the idea of being a servant leader who brings out the best in people. His ability to combine strategic foresight with a people-centric approach defines his role at Greif. By creating an environment that values relationships and supports employees, he ensures that the organization is not just prepared for success but is also grounded in a culture of care and collaboration.

Shaping a People-Driven Vision for Global Success

Bala is committed to creating a world-class, diverse, and engaged workforce that drives the company’s global vision. His role goes beyond the traditional boundaries of HR leadership, positioning him as a strategist and an internal catalyst for change. By fostering innovation and encouraging the organization to embrace new ways of thinking, he plays a critical role in aligning Greif’s workforce with its long-term goals. His mission as a global HR leader extends well beyond managing the present. His focus is on building the foundations for sustained success across Greif’s global operations. He envisions a future where his efforts not only drive organizational growth but also contribute to the development of thriving communities in the countries where Greif operates. This vision is guided by his belief in leveraging the collective strengths of the company’s executive leadership team, including open-mindedness, a bias for action, a passion for continuous learning, and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

Under Bala’s guidance, Greif’s workforce is empowered to make a meaningful impact on customers worldwide. By fostering a culture that values engagement and excellence, he ensures that the company remains well-positioned to provide legendary customer service while maintaining a strong connection to the communities it serves. Bala’s leadership exemplifies the power of strategic vision and people-focused innovation in building a brighter future for both the organization and its global stakeholders.

Leading with Purpose and Servant Leadership

For Bala, serving as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) involves navigating complex challenges with a focus on alignment and innovation. A key aspect of his role is ensuring that global teams, roles, and responsibilities are aligned with the company’s broader goals. This alignment not only supports long-term organizational success but also ensures customers receive exceptional service. Bala recognizes the importance of fostering a positive employee experience, particularly in a global context where cultural differences and regional expectations add layers of complexity. Additionally, the ongoing digital transformation of workplaces presents another challenge, requiring careful attention to delivering a personalized and effective digital employee experience. Through these challenges, he remains driven by his commitment to the company’s mission, emphasizing employee engagement, personal recognition, and a leadership philosophy rooted in service.

Describing his leadership style as “Servant Leadership,” Bala places service to others at the core of his approach. He focuses on creating a meaningful impact by helping individuals and teams gain clarity, find purpose, and pursue their goals with determination. His ability to energize key initiatives and inspire hope reflects a dedication to nurturing both individual and organizational growth. This approach not only enhances employee well-being but also contributes to the company’s success by fostering stronger connections between employees, customers, and the organization as a whole. His commitment to servant leadership serves as a guiding principle in his work, reinforcing the belief that the most effective leaders are those who empower others to achieve their fullest potential.

Championing Leadership and Innovation for Lasting Success

For Bala, success lies in cultivating a motivated, diverse, and engaged workforce that aligns with Greif’s global vision of delivering exceptional customer service. As a strategist and an organizational activist, Bala’s leadership approach goes beyond day-to-day management. He prioritizes long-term sustainability, embodied in Greif’s “Build to Last” strategy, which focuses on fostering innovation, leadership development, and organizational resilience. He underscores the critical role leaders play in driving engagement and aligning teams with strategic goals. He emphasizes the importance of deepening connections with colleagues, sharing best practices, and creating an environment where collaboration thrives. Regular one-on-one meetings are central to his approach, providing a platform for addressing individual concerns while encouraging independent problem-solving.

At the heart of Bala’s philosophy is a belief that effective leaders must balance strategy with activism. They should not only plan for the future but also take proactive steps to foster innovation and inclusivity. Bala advocates for creating workplaces where employees feel empowered and supported, ensuring that personal and professional lives coexist harmoniously. His focus on leadership engagement and development reflects a broader vision—building a workforce that is not only equipped to navigate present challenges but is also prepared to drive lasting global success. By nurturing a culture of innovation and inclusivity, Bala helps pave the way for Greif’s continued growth and its commitment to excellence.