Winning Stroke: Interview with Nikhil Barshikar, MD, Imarticus Learning

They say luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I think preparation is nothing but pure hard work.

• If not in the current Profession, you would be?

       A politician I think. I would like to affect real change and it’s the only other option, other than running an NGO or              being an entrepreneur, that puts you in the driving seat.

•     One tune you always hum?

          I have a toddler, so it’s currently one of two tunes. Wheels on the Bus or Humpty Dumpty.

•   One Book to read when you want to motivate yourselves ?

         Indian Summer. It talks to the story of the struggle in creating something monumental.

•    One Dialogue of a movie that motivates you or you like the most?

       Gordon Gekko says, ’Lunch is for sissies,’ in Wall Street. It’s quite funny really, because I am very partial towards           my packed lunch and eating on time.

•   The Place you’ve never been to and always want to go?

        Russia, and hopefully the World Cup will change that.

•   An animal that signifies you & why?

       I’d go with a Gazelle – it has a large amount of focus and intensity.  Its also strong and fast – manages to beat the           cheetah on most days.

•       A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with ?

           Gordon Gekko from the movie, ‘Wall Street.’ I think he was a massive inspiration to so many of us from my                      generation, and the reason why we joined Wall Street.

• Choose one from each below :

        a)      Marvel or DC - Marvel.

        b)      Batman or Superman- Batman.

        c)       Tom or Jerry - Neither, didn’t like that show as a child.

        d)      Chacha Chaudhary or Super Commando Dhruv - Who?

•   If your life was to be turned into a movie who would you like to play your part?

        To be turned into a movie, one’s life needs to be filled with monumental events. I’ve been through a few, but lets              talk about this as soon as I achieve all goals I’ve set for myself.

• Luck or Hard Work , What do you think weighs more in defining a successful Person?

      They say luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I think preparation is nothing but pure hard work.

• One best decision you ever made?

       Quitting my corporate job and becoming an entrepreneur.

•   A strategy that you always use to take your decisions in Personal or Professional life?

        I am fairly long term in my outlook and believe many wrong decisions get taken in haste, in order to remedy some           short term crisis. So I always ask myself if I am doing this because it’s easy and/or solves something immediate,             or because it’s the right thing to do and something I would have done regardless of the situation.

•    Whose advise you seek when in dilemma?

        My wife. She’s always abreast of the context and will usually ask me the questions that lead me to my own                       solution.

•    What has been your biggest achievement?

         I think it’s yet to come, but I think I am very proud of what we have achieved at Imarticus, which is a collective                  achievement of my team and my co-founder.

•   One thing that you want to change in yourself?

       I am quite impatient and am always trying to be more patient with myself and others.

• A line said by your closed one that you never forget?

      My dad always says, ‘go big or go home.’