For this edition of #RiseToLead, we have MD & CEO of Mahindra Logistics, Mr Rampraveen Swaminathan sharing his story with us,

“I joined Mahindra Group in July 2019 and am currently serving my fourth year here. In 2017, after over 20 years in general management roles. , I decided to take a break and spend time with the family. A few months late I hit the road, and I think Mahindra was probably the furthest from my comfort zone; that's how I selected it.

When I joined, pre-covid, it was with the intent to facilitate a significant transformation in the logistics business, and then the pandemic happened, and it has been a rollercoaster ride since then. Despite the external environment we still managed the significant transformation in our business portfolio, but even more importantly in building the long term organization.

I come with 25 years in very different product industries across the world, so moving to logistics was a big change. But I am a firm believer in taking risks and look for new experiences. I am glad our ECAB model resonates that (Ethical, Collaborative, Bold and Agile, for those who don’t know). The pandemic taught me that we need to Rise beyond our own fears. Unlike many other industries, we were back on the ground in a matter of days, as we had to keep the lights on for our customers. I can proudly state that we did so with very minimal fatality and infection rates.

At Mahindra Logistics we are driven by a strong belief in growing at scale, and that has translated into both organic and inorganic expansion. But what drives me the most is to Rise for a more equal world. The logistics and mobility industry provides us a unique opportunity to do that. We are actively working towards increasing our diversity with programs focused on gender, veterans, LGBTQI and disabilities.

And if I am to share my Mantra for success, it would be: ‘Play to win’. Our role is to be bold and manage risk, not avoid it. Secondly, ask yourself if you have the readiness to reinvent yourself. And lastly, find potential leaders in everyone, to grow your company, you need to bring forward their Rise stories. Pay it forward.”