In the high-pressure world of stock markets, staying calm, focused, and resilient can make all the difference.
For Shripal Shah, Managing Director and CEO of Kotak Securities, that balance comes from a disciplined blend of meditation, fitness, and sports.
In this edition of Mind Over Money with Kshitij Anand of ETMarkets, Shah shares how mindfulness helps him lead with clarity, why sports teach the value of teamwork and composure, and how running fuels his focus and problem-solving.
From the chessboard to the trading floor, his journey reflects how a calm mind and a fit body together build stronger leadership. Edited Excerpts –
Q) You’ve mentioned meditation as a way to maintain mental peace. How has mindfulness influenced your decision-making and leadership style?
A) Meditation has been part of my routine for a few years now. In the brokerage industry, where markets keep you on your toes and every day brings a new surprise, it helps me stay centered amid the daily rush.
Leadership often means making decisions under pressure, with many voices and emotions in play. Mindfulness helps me pause, listen better, and respond with clarity.
It allows me to think calmly even in stressful situations and see things in the right perspective. Over time, I’ve realised it not only improves decision-making but also the energy you bring into any discussion.
Q) You enjoy strategic games like table tennis and chess. Do you find any parallels between these games and the way you approach business strategy?
A) I’ve started playing chess recently. I usually play with the computer or with a few friends over weekends.
Chess teaches you to think ahead and adapt, but what fascinates me most is that once you make a move, you can’t go back and you can only improvise with the next one. Business is very similar.
You learn, adjust, and keep moving forward. And just like in chess, you can’t win alone. You need your full army working together toward a common goal.
Q) Running seems to be your go-to stress buster. What role does fitness play in keeping you focused and balanced in a demanding professional life?
A) Running is my biggest stress buster. I usually run early in the mornings when my mind is clearest. Many times, I’ve found answers to work challenges while running because the mind is relaxed and open.
It also builds the strength to push your limits. Fitness keeps me grounded and gives me the energy to handle long days and tough calls. When the body and mind are in rhythm, focus naturally follows.
Q) You play multiple sports — from pickleball and badminton to cricket. How do you find time to pursue these interests amidst your schedule?
A) Sports have always been a big part of my life. I usually play badminton or table tennis with friends over weekends. It’s a great way to stay focused as when you’re in the game, you forget everything else. Even short sessions make a big difference.
For me, it’s not about how long you play, but about making time for things that keep you charged and happy. And honestly, the best part is the friendly banter and laughter that come with those games.
Q) You’ve said that sports teach you to “lose gracefully.” Can you share a personal or professional experience where this lesson came into play?
A) Sports constantly remind you that you can’t win every time and that’s okay. There have been business decisions or projects where the outcome didn’t match our effort.
In those moments, I remind myself of what sports teach which is accept it, learn quickly, and move on.
Losing gracefully isn’t about giving up; it’s about staying composed, keeping the team’s morale high, and coming back stronger the next time.
( Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
For Shripal Shah, Managing Director and CEO of Kotak Securities, that balance comes from a disciplined blend of meditation, fitness, and sports.
In this edition of Mind Over Money with Kshitij Anand of ETMarkets, Shah shares how mindfulness helps him lead with clarity, why sports teach the value of teamwork and composure, and how running fuels his focus and problem-solving.
From the chessboard to the trading floor, his journey reflects how a calm mind and a fit body together build stronger leadership. Edited Excerpts –
Q) You’ve mentioned meditation as a way to maintain mental peace. How has mindfulness influenced your decision-making and leadership style?
A) Meditation has been part of my routine for a few years now. In the brokerage industry, where markets keep you on your toes and every day brings a new surprise, it helps me stay centered amid the daily rush.
Leadership often means making decisions under pressure, with many voices and emotions in play. Mindfulness helps me pause, listen better, and respond with clarity.
It allows me to think calmly even in stressful situations and see things in the right perspective. Over time, I’ve realised it not only improves decision-making but also the energy you bring into any discussion.
Q) You enjoy strategic games like table tennis and chess. Do you find any parallels between these games and the way you approach business strategy?
A) I’ve started playing chess recently. I usually play with the computer or with a few friends over weekends.
Chess teaches you to think ahead and adapt, but what fascinates me most is that once you make a move, you can’t go back and you can only improvise with the next one. Business is very similar.
You learn, adjust, and keep moving forward. And just like in chess, you can’t win alone. You need your full army working together toward a common goal.
Q) Running seems to be your go-to stress buster. What role does fitness play in keeping you focused and balanced in a demanding professional life?
A) Running is my biggest stress buster. I usually run early in the mornings when my mind is clearest. Many times, I’ve found answers to work challenges while running because the mind is relaxed and open.
It also builds the strength to push your limits. Fitness keeps me grounded and gives me the energy to handle long days and tough calls. When the body and mind are in rhythm, focus naturally follows.
Q) You play multiple sports — from pickleball and badminton to cricket. How do you find time to pursue these interests amidst your schedule?
A) Sports have always been a big part of my life. I usually play badminton or table tennis with friends over weekends. It’s a great way to stay focused as when you’re in the game, you forget everything else. Even short sessions make a big difference.
For me, it’s not about how long you play, but about making time for things that keep you charged and happy. And honestly, the best part is the friendly banter and laughter that come with those games.
Q) You’ve said that sports teach you to “lose gracefully.” Can you share a personal or professional experience where this lesson came into play?
A) Sports constantly remind you that you can’t win every time and that’s okay. There have been business decisions or projects where the outcome didn’t match our effort.
In those moments, I remind myself of what sports teach which is accept it, learn quickly, and move on.
Losing gracefully isn’t about giving up; it’s about staying composed, keeping the team’s morale high, and coming back stronger the next time.
( Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
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