Winning Stroke: Interview With Pallavi Jha, MD & Chairperson, Dale Carnegie, India.

If not in the current profession, you would be?

I would have been a Researcher. I love to unravel layers to learn more about anything. I even started my career in market research at Procter &Gamble. If I was not in the corporate world I would possibly be pursuing academic research.

One tune you always hum?

I am not much of a singer but I do listen to a lot of music. The song that’s coming to my head at the moment is Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. It’s the perfect rock song, a song everyone relates to and it’s so uplifting.

One book to read when you want to motivate yourself?

I have to say ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’. It’s a powerful book and each time I read it I gain something new and always end up with a positive feeling.

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

From one of the Harry Potter series, “Of course it is happening in your head but why on earth should that not mean that it is not real?”. It drives me to chase the bizarre ideas that come to my mind.

The place you never been to and always want to go?

Alaska. I am very keen to see the Aurora Borealis. I am fascinated by natural wonders.

An animal that signifies you & why?

My daughters say I am a Labrador while my husband thinks I am a tigress. Personally, I think, a horse, signifies me because it is strong, free-spirited and stubborn.

A Movie Character you most resemble or resonate with:

Marvel –Spiderman

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

That’s a hard one. Maybe Tabu?

Luck or Hard Work, what do you think weighs more in defining a successful person?

I believe luck favours those who work hard.

One best decision you ever made:

Marry my husband, Sanjay.

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

I always know my decision when both my heart and head are in sync. It means when what I think about something and what I feel about it are aligned then it’s the right decision for me.

Whose advise you seek when in dilemma?

Depends on the dilemma

What has been your biggest achievement?

Professionally, it has to be building the India business into one of the most admired businesses for Dale Carnegie worldwide.

One thing that you want to change in yourself:
I wish I could muster the will and the discipline to exercise regularly. 

A line said by your close one that you never forget?

My husband once told me, “Never sweat the small stuff. And everything is small stuff”. It taught me to change my perception of things when I start getting irritated, angry or overwhelmed.