Ascent From Humble Origins to Corporate Leadership with Raj Gupta
The Indianness Podcast | Insights from Indian Business Leaders, Indian Founders & High-Performing Indian AmericansShow Notes
On this episode, I'm thrilled to welcome Raj Gupta, Former Chairman of APTIV PLC; Former Chairman and CEO of Rohm and Haas; Past Chairman of the American
Chemistry Council and the Society of Chemical Industry America Section; and Former Chairman of Avantor Inc.
Raj recounts his inspiring journey from a small Indian village to leading a global corporation. He discusses the profound impact of his upbringing, the challenges and milestones of his career, and the values that have shaped his leadership philosophy.
Key Takeaways:
(01:21) The influence of Raj's parents on his upbringing. (05:11) The importance of well-rounded development in Raj’s early life. (10:29) Raj reflects on the tragic murder of his mother and its impact. (16:49) The career and resilience of Raj's brother in the Indian Navy. (25:24) Raj's approach to overcoming personal and professional biases. (31:19) The strategic collaboration between IIT Bombay and Cornell University. (39:07) Job market challenges during Raj’s early career in the US. (43:05) Raj's decision to pursue an MBA in finance at Drexel University. (01:12:09) Raj's out-of-the-box thinking and approachable leadership style. (01:19:13) The legacy Raj hopes to leave through family and mentorship.
Resources Mentioned:
Raj Gupta - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-gupta-10b99241/ "Eight Dollars and a Dream: My American Journey" by Raj Gupta - https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Dollars-Dream-American-Journey-ebook/dp/B093YX9D9H/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Eight+Dollars+and+a+Dream%3A+My+American+Journey&qid=1699458204&sr=8-12250720 Harvard Business Review article - https://hbr.org/2014/12/overcome-your-biases-and-build-a-great-team Sanjay Puri - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaykpuri/ Alliance for US India Business - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-for-us-india-business/
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