Sanjiv is a Multi Award-Winning Leader, TED Speaker and Associate Fellow of Warwick Business School (WBS). His interests lie in developing human potential and recently featured on Fox News, Market Watch and CBS. Sanjiv is a "Thought Leader" who combines his life and business experiences. As Co-Chair of the WBS Global Mentoring Programme, he set about building bridges and challenging the status quo, to help build global communities. His awards include the Most Influential British Indian Leader in 2018 and the first-ever Alumni recipient of a CORE Award from WBS in 2019. Sanjiv recently took on the challenge of Chairing the European Region on the WBS Global Alumni Advisory Board to further develop and strengthen the global alumni community.
With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Sanjiv has been an advisor to business leaders and has led several projects. Through “Sanjiv Speaks”, he continues to help individuals and organisations navigate their paths, helping them unlock their potential.
Questions:
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
My heart will always be India, but Leicester has always been home. The challenging environment of my childhood as an immigrant, helped build my resilience. Thanks to my guru HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s regular visits since my earliest childhood and his inspiration to stay connected to my Indian heritage, values and culture, I feel I have the best of both.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Being the longest serving Chair of Warwick Business School’s Global Mentoring Programme, I’ve been able to oversee its development into a truly global offering. The success of which allowed me to develop a Global strategy for connecting over 50,000 alums across the world. As part of this, I am honoured to have been appointed on the Global Alumni Board as Chair of Europe to not only champion Mentoring but also help build a much larger global community. This role also means I have a seat on Warwick Business School’s Main Advisory Board, helping to shape the future at the highest level.
3) What inspires you?
One thing I’ve learnt is that joy and inspiration can be found all around us. The beauty of nature to the sound of laughter. However, for me, joy comes from making a difference to others. My compass has always been “In the Joy of others lies our own, in the progress of others rests our own” – a message from my guru and mentor HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj who always walked the talk and inspired us to do the same. The more I’ve walked this path, with every instance I’ve found a deeper meaning to ‘joy’.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
My biggest obstacle has been my limiting belief as a child that “Success can only come if you conform to the world around you”. But over time I realised that that being true to my authentic self was the best way to understand my natural strengths and values, in whichever way I could leaving aside any labels or pigeonholes.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
The biggest influence for me in my career has been a man I grew to call a good friend, an experienced industry captain and champion of the underdog, Peter Summerfield. His belief in me and support for my ideas, helped me gain confidence in being my authentic self in the world of business and academia.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
The best aspect of launching and founding Sanjiv Speaks is that I get to live everyday feeling fulfilled. The little anecdotes and stories I hear about the difference it has made in people’s lives brings a smile to my face. Watching the light bulbs switch on, during the course of a talk, workshop or bootcamp gives me real joy.
7) And the worst?
The fact that we just have 24 hours in a day. Anyone who knows me, knows I lead with the heart. This usually means, I say ‘yes’ when someone reaches out, then have to figure out how to fit that in!
8) What are your long term goals?
In the long term, I’d like to publish books on personal development, that can help individuals at whatever stage they are in their personal or professional journeys. I’d also like to develop a team of experts to deliver my models and frameworks to a larger audience globally.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would introduce the concept of ‘Mentoring’ as a core part of the education system from the youngest age. Just imagine, teaching the young minds to look out for and support someone less experienced or able than themselves. This sets the tone for a supportive and collaborative society that shapes lives in a positive way rather than doggy dog.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
That’s easy. It would be my guru HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. This is a leader who was able to consistently lead and serve for the greater good. He led by example. He nurtured the development of the whole person. He could engage with young and old meaningfully. He was a visionary who was able to oversee multiple projects, manage the challenges and obstacles and still remain calm through the storms and free of any burden. I’d love to hear and learn how he was able to lead in so many ways yet remain joyful and stress free throughout.
