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

How to communicate clearly both upwards, laterally and with the team. Cultural differences abound in all companies and understanding them and fitting in with the right level of communication is the biggest challenge.

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

Climbing the ladder one step at a time and working really hard. Often attitude is more important than aptitude. Started off as an articled clerk at 18, picked up Chartered Accountancy and Certified Public Accountant qualifications along the way. Worked in 7 different countries and had different stints. Tried to maximize my learning from even the shortest stint.

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

I have an active To Do list which gets refreshed everyday and of course my manager's priorities become the top most priority. During the day I work on India related work and towards evening I switch to US related work.

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

Empathy towards fellow living beings, humility and disregard of our achievements and titles and gratitude for what we have specially in Covid pandemic times

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?

I am a voracious leader and no one book has influenced me. However I would recommend "Autobiography of a Yogi'' - Steve Jobs read this book multiple times from the age of 18 and it had a profound impact on him as did many other technology leaders like Mark Benioff. It is amazing how a book by an Indian Yogi written some 70 years ago is still relevant in these challenging times. It is a constant at my work desk.

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

By willingly sharing your knowledge and experience with all colleagues and leading by example

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

How ambition can fructify which I learnt at close quarters when iGATE acquired Patni, a company 3-4 times its size using a mix of PE investment, almost junk bonds and very little of its cash. A great story and I was lucky to play a significant role in this