Fortune India celebrated corporate excellence on India's Best CEOs Awards Night held at the Trident, Nariman Point in Mumbai.
Among the honorees was Pidilite Industries' Chairman Madhukar B. Parekh, recognized as the Best CEO in the Chemicals category, a testament to his transformative leadership and his remarkable ability to turn a simple adhesive into one of India's most beloved and culturally iconic brands.
Managing Director Sudhanshu Vats, who received the award on behalf of Parekh at the event, expressed his delight: "It feels very good, and I'm delighted that Madhukar Bhai is getting the award for Best CEO and Pidilite is truly getting the recognition."
People: The Non-Negotiable Responsibility
During his exclusive conversation with Hook, Vats shared critical leadership philosophies that have shaped Pidilite's success. On people management, a cornerstone of organizational strength, Vats emphasized: "People and talent is leaders' direct responsibility, and that is something which can never be delegated. Development of people, identification of people, making sure that you have the right team, you have the right people on the bus is the most important thing."
The Marathon Mindset: Integrity and Long-Term Vision
For next-generation leaders aspiring to build legacy organizations, Vats offered profound guidance rooted in integrity and long-term vision. "Do business with integrity, do business which does good as long as doing business. You do good business, but you also do good for the society you are in. Always play for the long term as a marathon runner," he stated.
The Secret Behind Award-Winning Advertising
When asked about Pidilite's remarkable advertising success, Vats revealed the secret behind their award-winning campaigns: "The magic lies in trusting, humor, and continuing to build a bond."
Personal Discipline as a Leadership Tool Maintaining personal discipline and focus is equally important, Vats reflected. "I'm a runner, and I think running is a great habit for me, and it helps me to sort of reflect on each of my runs," he shared, highlighting how running provides him mental clarity and focus amidst corporate pressures.
