1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

I'm leading a school and most challenging is to influence and lead children and teachers. It's very different from a corporate or factory set up. Here all are live wires and each day brings new challenges to you, so you need to be on the edge all the time. You need to have 360 degree flexibility and availability for the residential school set up to lead and achieve its vision and mission.

2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Basically I'm an engineer and was working in Apollo Tyres. But I was teaching English to my friends and others at my village that motivated me to enter this field. I started studying to become an educator after my marriage and studied 6 years after that. I started as a Computer Teacher and at present working as a Campus Director in one of the reputed residential schools of Gujarat now. Whatever position or place I've worked or working, I always try to give more than what is in JD. That has helped me to grow and reach a new level every time.

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

Normally I'm the first to wake up at home and even first to reach the office and last to sleep at home and leave the office as well. My routine is very simple, before office time, I spent with family at home with all the normal routines others are following. At the office , whatever my work I make a note of it for that day in the initial 10 mins. After office time, I play or spend time with resident children on the playground. Then in the evening, I go out with my family to bring whatever is required for home even for milk also if nothing is brought. That's just a feeling of going out and spending some time. We do have a tradition to do family prayer at 8:30pm that we practice everyday. After that we watch tv together. Everyday after 9pm I visit the hostel and meet students. If any work is required to do at home I do it between 10 to 11 pm. At 11 pm I go to sleep.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

When I was working on preparing a presentation for my principal in previous school, I come across a video representing "Service Leadership". It showed a person when having a google can able to see other person's problems or sufferings. It taught me when you work with others you need to think of them and for them and you need to take care for your team.

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?

When I started working in a leadership role I was not sure how I would be able to perform but the growth mindset concept helped me a lot from the book "Mindset" from Dr. Carol Dwek. It helped me to boost my confidence and even looked into the failures or mistakes.

6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

I believe that a leader is one who leads. I'm the one who needs to set an example and ask my team to put their best. Even I need to identify the best in my team members and prepare them to perform at the best. Many times your team member(s) doesn't know their own potential. It's a leader's role to push them or draw out that from them.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

When for the first time my institution won an award regarding Top 20 Boarding Schools of India that is the time I feel very proud and meaningful. I was the one who worked to put all the data and answered all the interview questions but when the award was received I was able to see the happiness and gratitude in my team.