Nikhil Kamath and Kumar Birla get candid beyond the boardroom on 'WTF People' podcast

In the latest episode of the WTF People podcast, investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath hosts one of India’s most iconic business leaders, Kumar Birla — one of Birla's few in-depth and candid interviews in nearly 29 years.

This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s an exclusive window into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur, offering invaluable lessons for anyone aspiring to leave their mark on the world of business. Nikhil taps into the mind of Kumar Birla, drawing out personal, thought-provoking insights that go far beyond typical business wisdom.

This compelling dialogue bridges two distinct entrepreneurial worlds: Kumar Birla, a 4th-generation titan with decades of leadership at the helm of a global conglomerate, and Kamath, a trailblazing 1st-generation disruptor redefining India’s financial landscape while driving innovation across his ventures.

Perspectives on Business and Leadership

Nikhil and Kumar Birla offer thought-provoking, different perspectives on running a business. Here, Kumar Birla discusses why creativity is necessary for business growth and the importance of building a people-centric organization.

“I think the most creative thing that you can do is run a business. As a business grows and scales, you need to keep creating value and that's when management changes from being a science to an art. At that scale, you really need to think out of the box, and so more creativity is required. said Kumar Birla on running his business. He further adds, “Our business is not a family-run business, it is a people-run organization. You need to choose the right people to work with. For that, your DNA needs to allow you to trust in people. Across the Group, we’re a 1,87,000 people but we work as one team with one common purpose and that is a very energizing kind of environment to be in.”

On raising investments and insights for Entrepreneurs

While discussing entrepreneurship, private equity, and venture capital investments, Nikhil sheds light on how private equity and venture capital investments have significantly fueled India's growth story. He says “I feel private equity and venture capital serve a very useful purpose in the of marketing the India story outside of India in order to bring foreign capital into India. This has subsidized consumption for the people in India and industries grew on the backs of these investments.”

For entrepreneurs, Kumar Birla offers advice to entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of consistency, adaptability, and the wisdom to know when to pivot. “There really is no substitute for hard work. The soft power of consistency is something that entrepreneurs don’t always value. As you grow in your career, it is good to know the importance of consistency early on. Also, an entrepreneur should have the instinct to know when it is a good time to pivot. If you have mature businesses and you see that growth rates are peaking, you need to invest in new engines of growth. If you have ambition, get a good team. The only way to grow is to have energized teams.” advises Kumar Birla.

Discussions on Philanthropy, Capitalism, and the True Meaning of Legacy

The conversation delves into diverse perspectives on philanthropy, philosophical schools of thought, and the meaning of legacy.

Kumar Birla adds, “Legacy to me is more about impact, not so much about accolades. It is about the way you connect with people, what you give back to society, through business, and impacting impacts lives, and families in a direct way. In a corporate context, giving back is not generosity, it is almost a responsibility. It’s something that you ought to be doing in the first place and there is no reason to make a big deal out of it. This is especially important as corporates are going to be one of the most important stakeholders globally. When you’re getting so much, giving back is just a part of the charter of a business.”

Having pledged to donate half his wealth to the Gates Foundation, Nikhil shares the same thought on giving back but has put it together quite differently in the past: "I think the notion of legacy is overrated. We often believe we're far more important than we are. You're born, you live, and you die—like every other being on this planet. What matters is how you treat people during your lifetime, not what people think of you after you're gone. As for philanthropy, I do it because it feels right to help others, especially since I don't intend to leave my wealth behind for the banks or anyone else."