Bain Capital India Chairman Amit Chandra on Sacrificing Short-Term Profits for Better Outcomes Bain has an apprenticeship culture where learning and leadership go hand-in-hand, says Chandra(Pexels (Image used for representational purposes)) The idea of ​​giving was instilled in Amit Chandra by his mother and sister. Although money was scarce for the middle-class family, he volunteered his time and contributed his skills instead. Over a period of time, Chandra grasped the concept of ‘giving while living’ after meeting leaders like Venkat Krishnan, founder of GiveIndia, understanding the teachings of Guru Nanak and reading about American businessman Chuck Feeney. This formed the idea of ​​philanthropy early in his career. “Between my wife, Archana, and I, we didn’t have much spare income after paying for accommodation, but given how much the scope of others shaped me, I wanted to start giving back early,” says Mumbai-based Chandra, 57, chairman, Bain Capital India, and founder of ATE Chandra Foundation. They started by supporting education as a cause, and have now partnered with organizations like Akanksha Foundation. By the time Chandra launched Bain Capital India in 2008, the couple had decided to give away most of their income to support and engage with other NGOs. A few years later, they founded the ATE Chandra Foundation with their friend, Anuj Bhagwati, and once Bain Capital India found its feet, Chandra decided to devote more time to social causes. Balancing the two roles was possible by setting clear priorities and building strong teams that function with trust and autonomy. “Bain has an apprenticeship culture where learning and leadership go hand in hand. I have been a huge beneficiary of that and I am grateful that the colleagues I hired 17 years ago are now running the office and taking the franchise to the next level,” he says. Chandra believes that India is in the golden age of philanthropy, where it will move from a few individuals to CSRs, professionals and entrepreneurs in the coming time. “The day we start celebrating a giving list as much as a rich list, building social infrastructure as much as a big house, we will start to see change in how people use their wealth,” he says. Chandra talks to Lounge about mentoring and the importance of grooming leaders for the future. View full image Amit Chandra Who do you consider your mentor? I have been blessed with a number of people who have guided me from time to time. Hemendra Kothari, Noshir Soonawala and the late Narayan Vaghul have all been great mentors over the years. I drew a lot of inspiration from Guru Nanak’s teachings and Chuck Feeney’s journey. One big insight you worked on with your mentor’s guidance? Always do what is right, no matter the cost. This is something that all my mentors emphasized. This sometimes meant sacrificing short-term gains and other times incurring major short-term pains. But it has always served me well in the long run. What does being a mentor mean to you? How do you mentor your colleagues at work? I have always believed that one of the biggest indicators of a leader’s success is how many other leaders they have groomed. Just as others have generously invested in me, I see it as my responsibility to do so for as many as possible. One of the greatest satisfactions is to see so many who have worked for me over the years in positions of high responsibility. Few things compare to that. What does your morning schedule look like? I hear Shabads from the Guru Granth Sahib and finish reading news from around the world. What are some of the productivity principles you follow that have made your professional and personal life much easier? I make it a point to rarely keep anything pending for more than 24-48 hours. I delegate extensively and monitor closely. What is the one positive work routine you have developed during the pandemic? Recommend resources for doing completely aspirational work while out of the office. Any book or podcast you would recommend about mentoring and growth? A book I highly recommend is How Would You Measure Your Life by Clayton Christensen. How do you relax? Do you pursue any serious hobbies? I like to spend time with my family, dog, listen to music and travel to the mountains. Monday Motivation is a series in which business leaders discuss their mentors and their work ethic.