Note to readers: Fit to Lead is a series of interviews with business leaders on their approach to fitness, leadership and navigating the new normal.
Cricket is a passion and Vinayak Pai, 56, the managing director and CEO of Tata Projects, was lucky and good enough to keep playing it consistently while rising through the corporate ladder. His enthusiasm for the game is evident even as we dodged the googlies hurled at us by a sketchy Internet connection. “I played table tennis, badminton and cricket in school. I continued to play cricket even after I started work in the numerous corporate tournaments we have in Mumbai. When I moved to Pune for work, I would travel back on the weekends to play the games. I did that for eight years,” reminisced Pai.
Pai started out as a design engineer and has had stints in Houston in the United States of America and in Den Haag in the Netherlands before moving back to Mumbai for his current role. Pai continues to enjoy sports such as badminton and golf and loves having a good time with friends, never missing the famous 19th hole after a round of golf. However, he is also mindful of paying attention to mental health. “While reflecting on being fit to lead, we should focus adequately on mental health as well. Post-pandemic, this issue is highly relevant given the complexity of the new normal and we should keep that at the top of our mind,” he said.
Playing cricket for many years has not only brought enjoyment, it has also taught him some important lessons. “Team sports taught me the importance of team and taking everyone together to win. I always try to incorporate this spirit at work. It also teaches you to take failure in your stride and learn from your mistakes.”
Edited excerpts from the interview:
Your fitness routine…
I regularly invest my time in yoga, walking, cycling, running, and golf. I start my day with a 45-minute to an hour-long session of yoga and wind down at the end of the day with either walking, running or cycling in the late evening. Overall, I end up doing about a 100 minutes of fitness activity per day. I do this for 365 days, even when I am travelling.
Favourite fitness activity…
Yoga. It significantly helps with physical fitness and mental calmness. It rejuvenates me to a great degree.
Vinayak Pai regularly plays golf.
The toughest?
Trekking. My wife is an avid trekker and it’s a great bonding to do something like this together. Also, trekking enables me to push boundaries and reinforces my belief that no matter how challenging and persistent difficulties may seem, with determined effort you will reach your goal.
The new normal for you…
I travel a lot to our project sites, meet our customers and spend time networking with our team and other stakeholders. While in office, most of my time is spent in meetings. At home, I love spending time with my wife and mother playing cards and carom.
Has your fitness routine helped you navigate the uncertainties of recent times?
I work for a company, that has a strong presence in building the nation and landmarks and is a part of group which has a century-old legacy and brand value. There is a huge responsibility of leading our people and leading them well in all aspects. This requires great control on my impulse and action to make right decisions in the most stressful circumstances, keeping my business acumen intact. Yoga has enabled me to cope well [with all my responsibilities] over the years.
The one change you would encourage your teammates to make to deal with the challenges of current times
We are living in an era where everything is fast paced. Things are changing at a breakneck pace especially in the corporate world. The corporate environment is dynamic and people are expected to put in longer hours. I would encourage everyone, to strike a balance between the personal and professional aspects of their lives. People should figure out ways so that they don’t need to compromise on their personal life due to professional [pressures] and vice-versa. It's important to find activities that you enjoy and that you can realistically fit into your schedule. Once you've found what works for you, try to stick to it in a disciplined manner.
Your leadership style…
A leader must be authentic. I always try to be myself and remain flexible and adaptable in most situations. My leadership style is based on self-awareness, transparency, and ethical behaviour. I believe in being honest, open, and genuine in my interactions with team members and foster a culture of trust and integrity.
Leadership lessons in your fitness journey…
When you are a leader, it is important that you are viewed by your people as someone who is energetic, effervescent, and ebullient. It is important that your enthusiasm is contagious. My exercise regimen coupled with my passion for fitness has helped me be eternally fresh and vigorous. I have played many team sports in my life which taught me the importance of team and taking everyone together to win. I always try to incorporate this spirit at work. It also teaches you to take failure in your stride and learn from your mistakes.
What impact does the image of a ‘fit leader’ have on a team?
Most of my teammates know my love for yoga and my passion for outdoor sports. I believe, a leader's energy, behaviour, and fitness can have a significant impact on the team. When a leader presents themselves as physically fit and healthy, they can inspire their team members to prioritise their own health and wellness… leading to a healthier and more productive work environment. This, in turn, can lead to increased trust and respect from team members, which can improve collaboration, communication, and overall team performance.
Has being fit helped you become a better leader and a better version of yourself?
Being fit has helped me remain calm and poised even in the face of adversities. Being fit has also earned me the reputation of being “always energetic.”
Goals and challenges for the next year
Professionally, my goal is to realise all the transformation targets we have set for ourselves at Tata Projects. The focus is on digital and sustainable aspects. I have also set a goal to coach and create a strong leadership pipeline. As for my personal goals, my goal is to take a break from my work every now and then. I will devote some time to reflect and ruminate.
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