Mankind Pharma CEO Sheetal Arora on leading through listening and guidingry
Mankind Pharma’s CEO on mentoring with empathy and encouragement
At just 19, Sheetal Arora was thrown in at the deep end of operations at Mankind Pharma. Though a family-run enterprise, he started out in the frontline as a medical representative, taking on the responsibility of building sales, marketing and distribution.
“I spent time visiting doctors, chemists and distributors to understand how demand could be generated. Interacting with customers handed me feedback through which I could address negative sentiments. That period exposed me to ups and downs, laying the foundation for everything that followed," says Delhi-based Arora, 48, Promoter and CEO, Mankind Pharma Limited.
Among the many milestones he cherishes over the last three decades are when they first registered a turnover of ₹50 crore, launching an IPO and speciality divisions, and the acquisition of Bharat Serum and Vaccines. Yet, he considers his proudest achievement to be the culture he’s built at the organisation, rooted in humility, integrity and transparency that he believes has led to minimal attrition.
Through their CSR initiatives, they have worked on preventive care campaigns, strengthened primary health and wellness centres and provided access to basic healthcare for the underprivileged. They are also working towards building self-reliant communities through vocational training and livelihood generation, providing mid-day meal support and creating infrastructure for digital smart classrooms in over 430 government schools.
“What motivates me everyday is the purpose of serving life and the impact we have created through medicines that are affordable and accessible for millions of people," he says.
Arora talks to Mint Lounge about mentorship and why he believes in delegating work. Edited excerpts:
Who do you consider your mentor?
My father and my uncle, Ramesh Juneja, showed me the path of hard work, integrity and honesty by leading through example.
One major insight you worked on with your mentor’s guidance?
The most important lesson I learned from them is that people come first. Always think about your people, support them and serve them because ultimately, God supports those who help others.
What does being a mentor mean to you? How do you mentor your colleagues at work?
Mentoring is about listening and guiding. I focus on understanding team members, addressing their problems and helping them see ways to improve and grow. I try to add value to their learnings, show empathy and continuously discuss what’s next on a weekly or monthly basis. Leadership is about ensuring that the seniors support the juniors and vice-versa, and that everyone learns through encouragement and guidance.
What’s your morning schedule like?
I start my mornings early with exercise and yoga which help me stay energised and focussed. I then spend some time reading newspapers before preparing for the day and heading to work.
What are some of the productivity principles you follow that have made your professional and personal life much easier?
I believe in delegation rather than micro-management, empowering leaders at different levels to take the right decisions at the right time. Prioritisation and clarity of purpose are also central to my approach in both professional and personal life.
What’s the one positive work routine you have developed during the pandemic?
The foundation of hard work and humility has guided me throughout my life and the pandemic reinforced the importance of empathy and empowerment. We encouraged senior presidents, who lead large workforces, to spend 7-10 days in the field, working with frontline workers and interacting with their families. This built stronger bonds and reminded us to support each other at every step.
Any book or podcast you would recommend about mentorship and growth?
I recommend podcasts by Naval Ravikant. What resonates with me is his perspective to not overthink things. I often suggest his work to others as a great source for self-help and improvement, besides learning more about psychology.
How do you unwind? Do you pursue any serious hobbies?
I unwind by spending quality time with my family, travelling and maintaining my health through exercise and workouts.
Monday Motivation is a series in which business leaders discuss their mentors and their work ethics.
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