#RiseToLead - Puneet Renjhen
#RiseToLead - Puneet Renjhen
Published : 9/11/2025 | Category : Leaders
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I grew up in Delhi, in a middle-class family where education was the only real inheritance. My parents gave me values: resilience, integrity, and the belief that with hard work, you can carve your own path. This belief shaped me early on.
When I got into ISB, as part of its very first batch, I felt like I was stepping into a dream. For my family, it wasn’t just my achievement, it was all of ours. I carried that pride with me as I entered the world of investment banking. For 19 years, I thrived in boardrooms across Citi, Standard Chartered and Avendus, in India and abroad. It was a very successful stint. But deep down, I knew I was always standing outside the circle, advising businesses, not actually building them.
What got us here won’t take us there.
That restlessness kept growing. I wanted to sit at the table where decisions were being made, where risks were being taken, where value was being created. It was my wife who finally looked at me one evening and said, “If you want to be on the other side, you’ll never know until you take the leap.” Her belief gave me courage. And that’s how Mahindra happened.
I’ll never forget my very first week. I had just joined when Anish asked to fly to Milan for a meeting at Pininfarina. Imagine this: the new guy, still finding his way around, suddenly walking through the halls of one of the world’s most iconic design businesses.
And then came the moment I’ll never forget. I was given the Battista to drive. I was so nervous that I didn’t push beyond 40 km/h! Everyone kept telling me, “Take the leap, enjoy the speed it’s meant for.” On a lighter note, I joked, “If something happens to the car, I’ll work for free for a long time.” But on a serious note, that moment told me everything I needed to know about Mahindra. Here, you’re trusted. You’re empowered. You’re expected to roll up your sleeves from Day One.
Over time, a few lessons have stayed with me:
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Culture matters. It’s the invisible thread that holds people together. Mahindra’s purpose-driven culture was one of the biggest reasons I joined.
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Relationships matter. The non-transactional ones, built on trust and respect, often lead to the most powerful outcomes.
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Diversity matters. Don’t box people in. Every individual brings something unique, and when you embrace that, magic happens.
Today, as part of the Partnerships & Alliances team, I see this every day. What inspires me most is Mahindra’s growth mindset, where failure isn’t a scarlet letter, but a stepping stone. As long as you stay true to your work ethic, you’re encouraged to try, to stumble, to rise stronger. That kind of trust is rare.
If I could leave you with one thought, it would be this: keep investing in yourself, stay a lifelong learner, and measure success not just in personal milestones but in how you help others rise. Because in the end, we don’t just rise alone. We rise together.