By Rahul Kishore
I have known Samar Singh Sheikhawat, Senior VP – Marketing at UBL Â for 44 years. On the human front, not much has changed. He continues to be as charming, friendly, warm and generous as he was then. Professionally of course he has evolved. It is not easy being surrounded by Kingfisher girls and keep your sanity. To me, he will always be the Kingfisher man. I began by asking him…
What is your biggest strength?
People skill. I get along famously with people, I’m great at getting them to work together and building consensus.
What’s your biggest weakness then?
Can’t stand lies and hypocrisy he says with a smile. I hate politicking at work and at a personal level. I let too many things bother me, I’m a bit of a control freak actually.
Hardwork or luck?
Definitely hard work! I am the most unlucky person around. Almost everything comes to me five years later!
Favourite CEO?
Jack Dorsey of Twitter. He’s a guy with his heart in the right place, is empathetic and doesn’t shy away from saying it like it is.
How would you like to live your life again?
Exactly the same way. Life only gets better as I get older, I’ve been a late bloomer. The 40s were brilliant and my 50s are even better. I’m like Beethoven’s symphony, slowly building up to a crescendo.
If a movie was to be made about you, who would you like to play you?
Samar thought for a very long time on this one. The guy who plays me would have to be as smart as me. Leonardo DiCaprio… he can play anything.
On a scale of 1-10 how weird are you?
About 7-9 at home and 2 at work. Normal is boring. I like meeting interesting people who have another side to them.
What didn’t you get a chance to include in your CV?
Game warden in Africa. I applied when I was 20 for the WWF in Africa. I was refused because I wasn’t a local.
Describe yourself in four words.
Altruististic, Sportsman, Philosopher, Â Thinker.
What’s your Superpower, Samar?
Perception. I can sense anything before it happens almost!
How often do you de-stress?
I hit the gym everyday, I listen to a lot of music. Since I travel a hell of a lot it feels good to be back home always. I like to hear my family in the background somewhere and that relaxes me. SAmars famil,y consists of a wife and a daughter.
Dream Job?
Teaching, at any business school or university. I’d make a good teacher…
If Bill Gates gives you 10 million US, how would you use it to improve the world?
I would educate women. Encourage the girl child, it would have a cascading effect on the birth rate. Infant mortality would reduce. Empower women, build more toilets for them.
Rate RK as an interviewer.
You asked the toughest questions I’ve ever had to answer. Some of them have been quite brilliant I would therefore rate you a 9/10.