The Generous Leaders and Mentors

It was mid 80’s and I had just finished the finals of my graduation and urgently required a job, of any kind, to support my family. I was about 20 years old and the only ambition was to get a monthly salary of Rs. 1000/- for no specific reason though. This had nothing to do with my qualifications or requirement, it was just that I felt Rs. 1000/- was a respectable salary. I applied for a job of a medical representative with an organization launching in East India and I applied for a MR position in Calcutta (it was not Kolkata then). I was elated and tensed on getting the call letter and had no idea of what an interview looks or feels like. This was a decade before internet was launched in India and even calculators were out of my reach (financially). The day of the interview approached and the venue was a 4-star hotel in Calcutta. Dressed to the best of my ability, I reached the venue and found about 100 aspirants waiting for the interview. Most of them looked more capable than me, at least I felt so at that point. The next piece of information, that the interviews were scheduled for the next 2 days too and similar number of aspirants were expected every day, made me (guess many of us) tensed and started thinking of the future applications that I must do. However, I was called in due time and the interview was fine. I was called for the final round a few days later. I was just walking out of the interview cabin when the interviewer (Mr. KV Santhanam) followed me through the door. He came by my side and put his hands on my shoulder to say “My son, when you come for the final interview do not fold your shirt sleeves and sport a tie”. I promised to follow his advice. I got selected later but did hardly, at that point in time, realize the depth of the gesture of KVS and its impact on building influence on people.

Over the next decade in the industry, I remembered the gesture of KVS several times. I learnt that the foundation of any winning relationship is “wanting good of others”. Trust, honesty everything comes later. One genuinely needs to breathe welfare of others to build lasting winning relationships. I am sure this is a natural behaviour in our family life (hopefully), but not as common in our social and professional spheres. We probably get into mental obstacles and try to figure out who to help and how to help. These are logical questions but the more important aspect is the helping or supporting mind which is always ready to help. This mind hardly asks questions or seeks answers, it is always keen to go out and help others. Sometimes these minds are called stupid but that does not deter them. They little care of such remarks and also help them – the people who makes such comments. Sounding too altruistic? May be, but I have seen some of them in my life.

“You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving”

The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish”

-Kahlil Gibran

The giving / helping mind is the strength behind a growing humanity and developing world. I would limit my piece to the industry and my seniors and try to have a rear view of the journey, to find how people found me to help. After KVS, it was another person in my next job and by that time I had been promoted to the next grade. The marriage of my sister was fixed and, naturally, the major financial responsibility of this marriage was upon me. I tried to do my best in adding the to my meagre savings and could well calculate that I had to borrow from people to keep up to my responsibility. One day in office, after my field work, a friend, Jatin Bhansali, came to me and put his hands across my shoulder (sounds familiar, isn’t it?) and talks me out of the office. Standing in a road-side tea stall, he urges that I take a loan of 25K (a big sum for me) from him and pay him back whenever I can. I was not prepared and had never asked him for a loan. He is the person who helped me without any expectation or reason. My sister’s marriage sailed smooth and I also could pay him the money back, but shall never be able to pay back the worth of the help in my life.

“It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding”

-      Kahlil Gibran

One summer afternoon I was called to office to meet by my the-then region head. Such urgent calls, in those days, generally indicated for some errors committed by me or my team. However, I reached the office and Mr. Arup Ratan Chattopadhyay asked me to go home and leave for Bangalore by the night train. I had no reservations and the journey was of more than 40 hours. I was crestfallen but had to follow. I struggled but could make it to Bangalore to attend the specialty team meeting where I was inducted into the team and was given the charge of the region. ARC knew what he was up to and even at the cost of being ruthless (the travel part) he almost forced me to get into the role. He also knew that this role will report to the HO and not to his office. He is another soul who helped me to get into an unknown but very rewarding trajectory of my career.

The first few months of reporting to the GM – Marketing, Mr. Uttam Kaul, was uncomfortable as I was comfortable reporting to ARC whom I could meet physically and seek guidance in person. Here started my days of afternoon calls (landline of course) and fax messages. UK was a flamboyant manager. His smart looks and impeccable communication always amazed me. I started learning the art of verbal communications from UK. His ease in communication with key business leaders was amazing and I started copying him and then learnt to follow him. The copying was an immature act but I must say that I was in awe. UK inspired me to speak well, dress well (compared to what I was) and he ensured that I learn some basic table etiquettes (he taught me in person) too. He had immense trust on all of us and allowed us to express our thoughts without any inhibition. The specialty area of pharmaceuticals started looking more interesting because of UK.

I have always found people who have helped me grow and sustain and that too without asking. Without them the lazy and reluctant me would never have been able to work and live till date. I can go on with such examples till the pages stop and I find these people every day while I walk this earth. But I can’t resist mentioning a few more helps and the souls who held my hand.

In the mid-90s I was working in Calcutta and was responsible for the business activities of Eastern and Northern India. A person joined the organization as the chief and comes to visit my region. He travelled with me to Bihar and Delhi as well. The visit was a booster for me but was uneventful. But the person, Dr. Subhash Phaterpekar, left an indelible mark on my mind. He visited my home and had a meal with us. Dr. SP was mandated to overhaul the business and bring more purpose, visibility and of course improve revenues / profits. A position to head the sales activities of the country was created and there were several people with relevant experience in the queue, both internally and from the industry. Dr. SP ensured that I got a fair chance in this interview and I was called by the senior management. He gave me the required guidance and I was selected for the position. Once again, I see this as a person who voluntarily came forward to help. It’s not that I was the best guy around, but the preference given to the internal candidate and the point that the chief wanted to keep his faith on him in spite of the fact that he lacked the necessary exposure, speaks volumes of his leadership traits.

In Y2K I was leading two specialty business units of a pharma company and my manager was one of the decorated and of course revered names of the country. To many he was not easy to approach but he was very kind to me. I will never forget his overwhelming support when I required to take a fortnight’s off and a salary advance for a planned surgery of my daughter. He made it a point to facilitate all the support and take regular feedback on the health of my daughter, post-surgery. How can I forget he calling me up to check whether I have sufficient funds even after the organization gave me the salary advance asked for? Thanks, Mr. KV Ouseph!

Mr. LG Murali is missed every day. He was my boss in a large organization where my role was not defined even after my joining (a series of events led to this). He carved out a small yet important role for me and with subsequent departure of the sales and marketing head, I was given charge. He was a friend, boss and an elder brother. He was a health freak and work outs were his passion. His evening round table parties (rum being his favorite) had helped me a lot to connect with the business which later I was to lead. Rest in peace, Boss!

Post working with LGM I was in the team of a leader who ensured that the team worked under her influence but not under her supervision. For the first time I felt the urge to report to that person even when she never insisted. I have several anecdotes to substantiate this but the fact that she still cares for me and takes the pain to tolerate my jokes and idiosyncrasies speaks volumes. Her capability to smile always and laugh even in tough times makes her so different. She lives in a different time zone but is always available to listen to my late-night calls and my pain points. She is more of a sister and friend today. I owe a lot to you Ms. Ritha Chandrachud.

There are some wonderful leaders who have influenced my learning and have been very kind to me. One of them is Mr.Jaspal Singh Bajwa. An elite leader and mentor that he is, his magnanimity and energy levels are simply unmatchable. I had several opportunities to share his time, and will always remember his kind support and the golden chunks of learnings in leadership. His Mon0900 and sessions on leadership will always inspire.

Mr. Ajay K Vij is a personality you don’t come across often. He was the CEO of the organization and was known for his meticulous approach, unmatched leadership skills, a large heart and sophisticated personality. His analytical skills and incisive questions, did catch me off-guard several times, but taught me to think differently and execute effectively. I have the deepest respect for him and will always be so. He carved out my role, post an acquisition to work for a different type of business, which I had never handled before. He was the co-promoter of that venture. This speaks volumes of his efforts to train me in other fields in healthcare. And I stand benefitted. Thanks Sir!

One day in 2012 I had a golden opportunity to occupy the corner office of a business headed by one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our nation. The selection was so sudden and sweet. I am not very sure whether I was ready for that position at that time. The only question Mr. Arun Kumar asked me, “what will bring you on board?” I managed to reply something but I knew the biggest opportunity here was to work closely with him. Then started the learnings, from one of the biggest divestments to several acquisitions, I had to learn to swim in an ocean of activities. He always ensured that I was well supported and led me to take difficult business decisions. I have had AK’s support always. He is a person who has a heart of gold and that’s so very visible. I have also seen him from very close personal quarters when he took care of his ailing friend. Hardly could one believe that he is a friend and not a brother. Very special sessions were when he invited us to his home. I shall never forget the warmth and personal attention that he exhibited those evenings. AK allowed and encouraged me to learn about several other aspects of the business beyond sales and marketing. The business reviews with him were challenging and I had to dive deep into details of other functions. This taught me a lot. AK’s help and support will always remain a very big pillar of my professional life.

A silent, assertive and wise mentor was Mr. Joe Thomas. He was my “go to” senior whether in terms of a situation or a subject. His capability to give a patient hearing was enviable. I could never achieve that. A thorough gentleman and a very sensitive person at heart, JT will always be a support to anyone who has known him, me included.

Mr. Mohan Kumar is a kind soul. He has always stood by me in times when I required a hand of support in tough times. He has something which is assuring yet challenging.

There are several other seniors who has shown me the path to walk and have selflessly supported me to achieve organizational, social and personal goals. I wish I could do better.

I would not like to complete this without mentioning of Mr. Sunil Unni Guptan, my mentor. I was fortunate to be selected by my organization to be mentored by a person as capable as Sunil. As expected, he remains my mentor till date and I do fall back to seek his time and hearing whenever I require. Thanks Sunil.

I have had the luck to either work with or have a ring-side view of the leadership skills of stalwarts like Dr. Anand Burman, Mr. Satish Reddy, Mr. Saumen Chakraborty, Mr. Prabir Jha, Mr. MV Ramana, Mr. Bhagwat Yagnik, Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Mr. Sujesh Vasudevan, Mr. Shyam Kante, Mr. Mats Henriksson, Dr. Satish Kulkarni and some other wonderful leaders and all of them have influenced my learnings.

I had a unique opportunity to work with Prof. Tarun Gupta, the doyen of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. I had approached him to help our marketing team and the line managers get trained under his guidance and get certified by NMIMS where he was the chair-person for pharmaceuticals study. The program was one of its kind and our teams were immensely benefitted. I had the luck to work with TG closely for about 2.5 years and was always overwhelmed with his personal touch and concern for my bell being. Many a times I used to feel embarrassed by his natural approach of considering me an equal. A lesson he taught me out of his classes which will always be with me.  The passion for teaching, the knowledge and the concern for his students makes him the tallest leader of our industry, ever. Albeit late, I consider myself fortunate to have enjoyed the guidance of TG. Rest in peace, Sir!

Another group of people who have taught me tremendous lessons are my team-mates. They are a group of troubling (me) geniuses. Most of them are more capable than me and have always challenged me to lead better. I shall discuss about some of them individually some other time.

Friends, I did not want to write a biographical piece. I am not worth it. But I wanted to capture all the people in senior positions who held my hand and walked me through the industry at ease. I would have never been able to grow without these supports.

“And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy,

nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.”

                                        -Kahlil Gibran, On Giving