BrightSpark with Mahendra Mehta | On being the best version of yourself

M and I started out as industry acquaintances, meeting casually as industry acquaintances do at expos and conferences.

Then, in late 2001, the allied pharmaceutical industry came together to establish an association for our industry - The Indian Pharmaceutical Machinery Manufacturer's Association or IPMMA as it is popularly known. When M took over as President of the association, I would quietly admire how he'd cogently steer the discussions in a fruitful direction at our association meetings. No mean feat considering our association consists of several strong, vocal personalities. He'd patiently and tactfully make his point, ensuring everyone was given an equal hearing. He made a big impression on me, and I made it a point to get to know him better.

M is a rare breed of second-generation entrepreneur. Though he inherited the business from his dad, he had no sense of entitlement that often comes with taking over the family business. He was passionate about growing Parle into a global force and went about his goal with his trademark patience and calm, taking nothing for granted.

Our friendship would have continued in the same vein if not for an unexpected opportunity a few years later. I had invested in Pacifab - a capsule filling machine manufacturer sometime before, and we were struggling. There were several reasons - it was a brutally competitive segment. I'd been approached with an offer to buy me out of the company. It seemed like a duplicitous offer with mal intent, and while I rejected it outright, it gave me an idea.?

I realised that M and Parle could be excellent strategic partners in Pacifab. Parle had years of experience marketing capsule fillers; their efforts had made a Korean brand a popular name in India. They were no longer with the company and it might be the best solution for Pacifab. I took this proposal to M, and the rest is a partnership for the ages.

M inspires confidence in everyone he meets. He is clear-headed and thoughtful. His quiet demeanour belies his razor-sharp mind. He is considerate, always open to multiple points of view.

His leadership style is so different from mine - he is tactful where I am direct, thoughtful where I can be impulsive, and he prefers to take his time deciding on things while I decide quickly. He has a hands-on approach to leadership; I'm more hands-off. If he doesn't have an answer, he'll hold off on offering an opinion and come back when he has a more informed perspective. He's the calmest person in any room, and I tend to go off ever so often. We work well even though we are polar opposites. We have a healthy respect for each other's leadership styles, deferring to each other's strengths and accommodating quirks.

During our Pacifab board meetings, I automatically take a back seat. If you know me, you know how much I hate being a passive participant, but with M, letting him take the wheel feels natural.

He's incredible with young people. I remember an IPMMA get together in Daman. My son Aamer, who was 14 at the time, accompanied me to the event. I asked him to participate in a session on management training. We were all already in the room when Aamer walked in. M, who was seated at the front, came to the back where Aamer was sitting next to me and welcomed him. He made Aamer feel so comfortable. It was an unexpected gesture and one no one would expect from the President of the association. But that's the kind of man M is - thoughtful and considerate of everyone.

I hope he starts a blog of his own someday to inspire young people. There's so much he has to teach. His answers below are just the tip of the iceberg.

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AK: What are the memorable milestones in your career journey?

MM: I joined the family business in 1993. There are so many milestones - the first tooling order I won on my own, my first international expo, the first agency we signed, the first CNC machine we bought, moving our factory from two galas to a single independent building, the first JV we signed.

AK: What do you like to do when you are not working?

MM: I try to divide my time between work and personal. My work hours are devoted to my businesses, our industry association, NGOs I support and my housing society. My personal time is shared with family, friends as well as a little me time. Over the weekend, I try to catch up with friends and extended family - it's the best stress buster.

AK: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received that you wish to share?

MM: The best advice I ever received came from my father. He said you can perform miracles with anything you choose to take on if you enjoy what you do and do it with passion. His words motivate me to choose whatever I take on, whether work or social activities.

AK: How do you define success?

MM: Success is a milestone, not a destination.

There will come a time when I may not have the energy to embark on a new journey - the next milestone. When that day comes, I will look back at all that I have worked for and accomplished and all my learnings along the way. If my reminisces bring a smile to my face, that is a success.

AK: What's the mantra you would like to offer to the youth and your peers?

MM: My mantra is to enjoy the effort and let the results come organically. IF you enjoy the journey, it is already half done. Results should not motivate or dishearten you but encourage you to focus on your efforts and push harder. You may decide a change in path is warranted, and that's okay. None of us is born perfect, and there is no such thing as perfection. What there is, are incremental improvements. Strive to be the best version of yourself.

As far as young people are concerned, I would say, be patient as things need time to fall into place. Don't force it.?