In his career spanning over three decades, Partha Sarathi Basu has reinvented himself many times. Perhaps this adaptability, coupled with upskilling, has guided him across diverse industries, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups. The seasoned business leader is now the managing director for India at Ashirvad by Aliaxis, one of the country’s leading piping solutions companies.

Mr Basu has occupied the coveted C-suite positions at reputed companies, such as KPMG Netherlands, AkzoNobel, Whirlpool and SpiceJet, driving large-scale business transformations and operational excellence. An accomplished cost and works accountant, he also holds an executive certificate in general management from IIM Calcutta. His corporate achievements apart, Mr Basu is a certified professional coach dedicated to helping aspiring professionals to upskill and become future-ready.

Sharmila Chand catches up with the top business executive for deeper insights into his management principles and practices that have steered him through all the excitement and challenges of the corporate world.

Your five management mantras

·         Lead with integrity and purpose: Sustainable success comes when performance is anchored in strong values and purpose.

·         Continuous learning: Keep upskilling and out-skilling yourself. We need to keep unlearning and relearning.

·         Execution, execution, execution: A great strategy is only good when executed relentlessly. Operational excellence and governance are not optional. Transparent processes and disciplined execution are the only way to success.

·         People first: When people feel cared, listened and empowered, they give their best.

·         Courage to make decisions and mistakes: A leader needs to make decisions that others would not.

A game that helps you in your career
Cricket has been a defining influence in my life. Though I chose not to pursue it professionally, the sport has shaped me as a person. Cricket teaches patience and resilience. It teaches teamwork, acting in a situation and staying composed under pressure. Most importantly, it teaches that talent alone is not enough, as discipline and consistency win the game.

The turning point in your life
The biggest turning point was when I decided to step away from cricket and focus on academics and building a corporate career. That clarity came from my father’s honest advice. It was clear that I should channel my energy where I could be the very best. That decision gave me a clear direction and shaped everything that followed.

Secret of your success
There is no secret formula. It is a combination of hard work, discipline, continuous learning, adaptability and staying grounded. I have consciously invested in upskilling myself, whether through professional certifications, global exposure or by just observing others. Introspection has helped me a lot, as that helps me to improve every day. Success is about staying aware of what is new, what needs to be improved and being willing to accept and transform.

Your philosophy of work
Build a performance-driven culture anchored in values and inclusivity. I believe in empowering teams, while setting clear expectations. I am a firm believer in leading from the front, yet holding others accountable. My job is to serve (servant leadership) and support others in succeeding.

Any person you admire who has inspired you
My father has been my biggest inspiration. As someone who represented India in football, he understood both ambition and realism. His balanced and honest advice during a crucial phase of my life shaped my decision-making ability. He taught me that integrity and self-awareness are the foundation of success.

Your journey so far and lessons learnt on the way
My journey has spanned over 30 years across diverse industries and global roles, ranging from consulting and FMCG to manufacturing and transformation leadership. Each phase demanded reinvention. The biggest lessons have been about staying humble, trusting others, accept that you do not know many things and keeping learning, welcoming the change and believing in yourself.

Your fitness regime
Fitness has always been important to me. I exercise almost every day and also enjoy long walks. I follow a disciplined routine, focusing on regular exercise and mindful eating. Physical fitness influences mental clarity and the energy required for any role I take on. A tired mind cannot lead an enterprise, and I strongly believe that.

Maintaining calm and peace in stressful situations
Perspective is everything. I pause, assess the situation objectively and focus on things that can be controllable. Years of leadership experience have taught me that panic never solves problems, while only structured thinking does. Paying attention to physical fitness and mental reflection also helps me stay centred.

Your message on management to youngsters
Management today is not about titles or degrees. It is about relevance. The post-pandemic workplace has fundamentally changed, and many skills that once guaranteed stability are no longer enough. What will differentiate you is your ability to continuously out-skill yourself.

In my book, Outskill, I explore how the future belongs to those who combine digital fluency with human depth. Young professionals must develop problem-solving ability, storytelling skills, virtual leadership capabilities and the confidence to build meaningful professional networks in a digital world. Communication today is not optional; it is a leadership currency.

Equally important is adaptability. Careers will no longer move in straight lines. You must be comfortable reinventing yourself. Seek honest feedback, invest in learning beyond your job description, and build a strong personal brand anchored in authenticity.

Management is ultimately about mindset – resilience, curiosity and the courage to evolve. If you can internalise that, you will not just be employable; you will be future-ready.

Lastly, how would you define yourself?
I see myself as a simple human being who would like to sleep without worries and get up with many thoughts. I think I am a transformation-oriented leader, a lifelong learner and someone deeply rooted in values. At heart, I remain a curious student, which further fuels my desire to keep learning and be committed to building organisations that perform with purpose.