“BE YOU, THE WORLD WILL ADJUST”

NAMITA THAPAR, the Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, is today a wellrecognised face thanks to popular television show 'Shark Tank India' where she was one of the investors. Now, Thapar has authored a book. She talks to ASHISH SINHA about the book, her journey and much more. Excerpts

Title: The Dolphin and The Shark

Author: Namita Thapar

Publisher: Penguin Random House India

Pages: 256, Price: Rs 299

What has been your biggest learning in your journey as a successful businesswoman and now, as an author?

My biggest learning has been that staying authentic is the only way to live no matter what role one takes up. I try to do the same in my various roles - business leader, shark, and author. It is in line with my favourite quote, “Be you, the world will adjust!”

If you had to list three core areas of expertise that one needs to build in business, what would those be?

It would be the three Cs that I have written about: courage, competence and compassion. Courage is needed to take risks, to venture out of your comfort zone, which is the only way you keep learning and growing. Competence or expertise is needed in order to excel at whatever you take up. Compassion is the most important, for what is life without a higher purpose. We all have a dolphin (compassion) and shark (aggression) within us, and we need to learn to balance the two.

You have mentioned about the role of mentors and the power of networks in your book, The Dolphin and the Shark. Could you please take us through it?