1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

To shake people out of their comfort zone or conventional way of working has always been interesting as well as challenging for me. To make them believe that there are different innovative ways of doing the same things or redefining SOP's has always been special for me .

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have always been a good worker and then a good leader. I have worked on shop floors for years and learnt how things work there. Even today when i visit factories, i can instantly form a connect with the common worker. Knowing the job at the grass root level gives me confidence and the team respects me for that.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I get up very early (5am). Play close to an hour of badminton, and leave for work by 8.30. I am back at 1700 and go to gym/walk for 45 minutes. I finish my dinner by 1930. This is followed by helping my son with maths/physics etc, help in little bit of cooking, reading books and completing important office work. i go to bed by 10 pm. By nature i am not a party person, so it becomes easier to follow this routine.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Once a year leaders of different regions meet and we discuss our sucess and failures with each other. Just by listening to their stories keeps me humble. Learning has no age and this process should never stop. Every failure is an opportunity to get better.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Autography by Lee Iacocca is my all time favourite book. The way he held on to his belief and transformed Ford by his sheer leadership is legendary. I would also recommend movie Invictus to everyone who wants to learns leadership traits.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

My advise will be , be a good listener and remain humble. Success, position etc are temperory. Being a good human is more important.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

There are a few programs we executed under impossible timelines when no one willing to believe we can pull it off. But at times when you have a team which is more like an extended family, magic happens.