PVR's Ajay Bijli shares the best advice he ever received

All entrepreneurs today have various mentors and advisers to guide them from time to time as they navigate the challenges of their business lives. I have been fortunate enough to have a group of a few such mentors and inspirational leaders who have given me a lot of guidance in my journey so far. So whether it is about a business strategy or how to differentiate your product or service in the market, or a funding strategy, formulating these is a table stake for any business to thrive.

In our culture, it is said that your first guru is always your mother. I, too, have been blessed to get most of my advice which has helped me along the way, from my dear mother. Other than the strategic issues that I spoke of earlier, the advice that I have got from her has been: the values and principles that one stands for are ultimately the most important traits of a leader. She has been my mentor and continues to advise me on how to handle different situations and confront any business in day-to-day work, by guiding me to the core values and principles of life. One of the most important things I have learnt is to pursue your goal with total sincerity, integrity, transparency and commitment. If these principles are followed, you are bound to achieve your goal.

The other important thing is that no road is paved smoothly. There will be highs and lows in any journey, but whether you can maintain equanimity in all situations is a true test of character. She has also always maintained, and as Khushwant Singh light-heartedly said: "It is better to have two feet on the ground than to have a foot in your mouth." The cliche very clearly says that attitude does determine your altitude. So for any leader to remain grounded is very critical, though he may have an ambition to reach for the skies.