Indian billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group recently shared his thoughts on entrepreneurship leadership and family values in an engaging conversation on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast. Offering rare insights into his journey Birla discussed his approach to business his leadership philosophy and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs while also reflecting on the values that have shaped his career. Reality of Starting a Business  In Today’s Time Birla made a bold comment about the challenges of entrepreneurship in today’s world stating “Rs 1 crore is just not enough to start any business in today’s context.” He emphasized that the modern business landscape demands significant investment a strategic approach and an unwavering focus on trust to build a foundation for success. Citing his own experience he highlighted the importance of leveraging existing networks such as the Aditya Birla Group’s cement dealer network to strategically expand into new ventures like the paint business. Leadership Built on Trust and Discipline As the leader of a global workforce of 180000 employees Birla admitted to losing his temper only 18 times in nearly three decades. “Getting angry in a corporate context means getting out of control” he noted underscoring the critical role of trust in effective delegation and decision-making. When it comes to hiring Birla combines intuition with a rigorous evaluation of a candidate’s track record and references. He prioritizes ambition and a strong professional foundation especially when recruiting seasoned professionals. Creativity as the Core of Business Birla described the inherent creativity required in building and managing large-scale businesses. “The most creative thing you can do is build or run a business” he said emphasizing that innovation becomes increasingly vital as businesses mature. He believes leadership in any market is crucial stating “We only enter businesses where we can be number 1 or 2 in the foreseeable future.” According to Birla managing businesses evolves from a science to an art as they scale requiring a delicate balance between consistency and creativity. Lessons from Family and Legacy Birla’s corporate journey began early gaining a “real-time MBA” by attending his father’s meetings from the age of 18. At just 28 he stepped into a leadership role following his father’s passing navigating initial challenges with determination and a sense of duty. Family values play a central role in his life. Recalling lessons from his grandfather’s simple lifestyle and his great-grandfather’s emphasis on independent decision-making Birla highlighted the enduring influence of these principles on his leadership style and personal philosophy. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs To those embarking on entrepreneurial journeys Birla stressed the importance of passion teamwork and consistency. “Do what you love doing keep the passion going and get together a great A-team” he advised. He highlighted the need for energized teams and the balance between innovation and structure when scaling businesses. Birla also spoke about corporate responsibility viewing it as a moral obligation rather than mere philanthropy. Sharing a story of a scholarship recipient whose life was transformed by the Birla Foundation he reaffirmed his belief in understated giving. “We shouldn’t document or publicize charitable work” he said reflecting his family’s discreet approach to philanthropy.  His reflections on leadership entrepreneurship and philanthropy provide timeless lessons for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in the business world.