Leadership Journeys [161] - Vaibhav Mittal - "Music keeps me stable, it keeps me sane, it gives me creativity"

Choosing Leadership with Sumit Gupta

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this engaging interview with Vaibhav Mittal, a dynamic entrepreneur hailing from Punjab, India, we delve into the intriguing world of family business, entrepreneurship, and the delicate balance between passion and responsibility.

Vaibhav shares captivating anecdotes from his journey, from counting cash at the family business to studying entrepreneurship at Babson College in the US.

His insights dispel misconceptions about the easy life of a business heir, emphasizing the daily hustle and the need for continuous growth.

Discover how his love for music influences both his personal and professional life, offering unique lessons in teamwork and patience.

Join us for a candid conversation that uncovers the challenges of leadership, the importance of empathy, and the powerful role of passion in shaping a fulfilling career.

You can find Vaibhav Mittal at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaibhavmittalindia/
• https://twitter.com/vaibhavmittal_

In the interview, Vaibhav Mittal shares

• "Being in the family business is like fun because you get to hear about the business problems on the dinner table or on the breakfast table, and you keep getting exposed from a very young age."
• "In the late nineties, a gentleman confronted me while counting cash behind the counter, implying that sitting there with a lot of cash wasn't suitable for someone my age. I clarified it was a responsibility given to me by my father, not just a means to feel wealthy."
• "You're fortunate to be born into a family business, but you have to work hard every single day. If you don't, someone will take over all the wealth, and it will deplete. Every day is a hustle; you have to learn and grow as a person and professional."
• "Studying at Babson College, the world's top entrepreneurship school, instilled the feeling of being an entrepreneur. However, the real journey made me question the glamour of startups, emphasizing the importance of profitability over just being a founder."
• "The next 10 years are uncertain, but my fundamental job is to justify whatever work I do, learn and grow, and ensure that each business venture is not only profitable but also able to sustain and grow."
• "Passionate about music and organic/natural products, my dream is to explore these areas in business. Music, for me, is not just a hobby; it keeps me stable, sane, and creative, offering valuable lessons in teamwork and patience."
• "Music has taught me to work with different styles of people, similar to the diverse backgrounds of those in my workplace. It's an ecosystem that connects people toward a common goal of productivity."
• "Challenges include getting the best out of people from diverse backgrounds, empathizing with their struggles, and keeping them motivated despite life problems. Impatience among the younger workforce is a common hurdle."
• "The dark side of wanting others to succeed is often misunderstood; people may perceive it as selfishness. Empathy and strong leadership sometimes lead to negative perceptions."
• "To tackle overwhelming situations, I introspect after a failure, motivating myself to learn and improve. If external circumstances lead to negative outcomes despite sincere efforts, I move on, staying clear and passionate about my work."