Leading one of India’s top insurance brokerage companies with an annual premium exceeding Rs 230 crore is both a prestigious and demanding responsibility. With a strong retail-focused portfolio, a pan-India presence and a well-balanced mix of life and non-life insurance plans, the role demands strategic foresight and operational excellence. At the helm of this success is Rakesh Goyal, the director of Probus Insurance Broker.

An MBA graduate with a diploma in international trade, Mr Goyal brings nearly three decades of experience in financial services, having started his journey in 1996. His deep market understanding and sharp strategic thinking have been instrumental in driving Probus’ consistent growth. With expertise spanning general and life insurance distribution, channel development and relationship management, he has successfully implemented innovative distribution strategies and strengthened key corporate partnerships.

Mr Goyal’s diverse professional careers include his associations with reputed organisations such as Bausch & Lomb (India), World Index Investment, International Foreign Currency Market and Gogia Capital, where he has gained valuable multinational exposure across varied business functions.

Beyond his professional commitments, he is an avid reader and passionate traveller who enjoys exploring new destinations in his leisure time. Sharmila Chand engages Mr Goyal in a lively chat that ranges from life, work and work-life balance to entrepreneurship, management and success, among others.

Your management mantra

·         Empower people.

·         Lead through actions rather than words.

·         Remain consistent with values, especially during challenging times.

Your philosophy of life
Life is about continuous learning, honest effort and creating value, while staying grounded through every phase.

Your philosophy of work
I believe in working with sincerity, learning continuously and improving efficiency over time. Consistency, coupled with curiosity, plays a far greater role in long-term success than momentary intensity.

Your journey so far
It has been a challenging journey, but also a very gratifying one. As a first-generation entrepreneur, there was no predetermined plan – every choice involved accountability, uncertainty and learning. One of the most difficult tasks was developing trust, while expanding the company. I have always thought that trust develops over time, if you maintain consistency, communicate effectively, and have good intentions. Over time, credibility becomes your strongest asset.

Secret of your success
If there is one principle that has guided me consistently, it is treating people with sincerity. Building an organisation is ultimately about building trust, much like nurturing a family. I believe when respect, fairness and transparency are practised daily, people feel secure. And when people feel secure, collective success follows naturally.

Three lessons learnt as an entrepreneur
The first is that consistency matters more than speed. Showing up every day makes a bigger difference than one big effort. Second, people are at the core of everything. If you genuinely invest in them, growth happens naturally. And third, integrity is something that you cannot compromise on. In the long run, it always matters.

Your relaxation therapy
I would not say that there is one specific way I unwind. Reading about the journeys of accomplished people and organisations, understanding how they were built, the challenges they faced and how they overcame them often help me reset. It puts things into perspective and serves as a reminder that challenges and uncertainty are a part of the process and that lasting, meaningful success is usually built through patience and consistency, not speed. Alongside that, I like to stay updated with technology articles and current developments.

Your five tips for maintaining work-life balance
I prefer to think of balance as a mindset rather than a checklist. Being disciplined with time, trusting your team, allowing yourself short pauses and continuously learning all contribute to long-term balance. Most importantly, I feel it is important to understand that balance does not mean equal time allocation. It means being fully present in whatever you choose to focus on at that moment.

Maintaining calm and peace while on the move
I have realised that calm often comes from familiarity rather than novelty. Even the most basic things, like familiar food, small routines, or everyday comforts, can create a sense of steadiness during travel and continuous movement. For me, something as basic as bread toast or bhujia can instantly bring comfort. In the middle of constant movement and hectic schedules, these small moments help slow the mind and restore balance.

Spending your free time
When I do have some free time, I usually try to learn something new by watching informative videos, listening to podcasts or just having light discussions. At the same time, spending time with my family holds a very special place in my life. Additionally, as I already mentioned, I enjoy having casual conversations with my team. It is my belief that some of the most useful insights do not come from structured meetings, but from casual interactions where people speak more openly about their challenges, ideas and what is really on their mind.

Dreams yet to be fulfilled
I have never looked at dreams as destinations. Over time, they tend to change their shape. What starts out as personal drive slowly becomes a sense of responsibility towards people who place their trust in you and towards institutions that are meant to last beyond any one individual. For me, that shift has been very real. The focus today is less about achievement and more about building something stable and meaningful – creating long-term value and ensuring security and continuity for employees and stakeholders alike.

Your message on management to youngsters
This phase of life carries a lot of energy and a lot of impatience. In a growing economy like India’s, opportunities come quickly, but meaningful careers are still built the old fashioned way through hard work, patience and consistency. There are no real shortcuts. Time management, I have found is less about rigid schedules and more about clarity. Knowing what truly deserves your attention at a given point, when to immerse yourself in learning, when to slow down and build credibility and when to say no is what shapes long-term growth.

Chand.sharmila@gmail.com