Ascent From Humble Origins to Corporate Leadership with Raj Gupta

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=8-12250720Harvard Business Review article - https://hbr.org/2014/12/overcome-your-biases-and-build-a-great-teamSanjay Puri - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaykpuri/Alliance for US India Business - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-for-us-india-business/Thanks for listening to the Indianness podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation with leaders of Indian origin. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the show. #Indian #IndiaBusiness #India #Indianness