Risk is not just about business – it’s a mindset. Few embody this aspect better than Gautam Adani, the self-made billionaire, whose legendary risk appetite is a case study in management books.
But perhaps even fewer personify that risk appetite as boldly as Kay Mehta. An inveterate Adanian, who despite being wheelchair-bound, recently didn’t flinch before bungee jumping in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
Risk often has negative connotations, which may discourage many from plunging headlong for the fear of the unknown. However, risk-taking can be a key tool for growth and positive outcomes.
Remember, the college students who lacked business acumen and went on to start Facebook, which has since been christened as Meta. Or Steve Jobs, who took a huge risk to open Apple retail stores, despite being aware of the challenges such as physical storefronts being a risky business proposition for computer manufacturers.
To be sure, success comes to those who leave their comfort zone to attain the unattainable.
Adani finds inspiration in Mehta’s audacity. Both men defy limits: one in boardrooms, taking billion-dollar bets and the other in a gravity-defying stunt.
These decisions are life’s lessons: courage is never bound by physical constraints. Whether it’s navigating corporate headwinds or jumping off a building, the core belief remains the same. Calculated risk, unshakable conviction, and a refusal to let fear dictate the cherished goals are a recipe to conquer the dread of the unknown.
Psychologists draw parallel between men like Adani and Mehta and explain what makes them kindred spirits. So, how does Mehta’s personal courage align with Adani’s vision for an inclusive world?
Adani’s commitment to shine a mainstream light on the differently-abled goes beyond philanthropy and lip-service. The gesture stems from creating sustainable, long-term impact.
For Adani, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a corporate buzzword. It’s his mission statement, which he leads from the front. No wonder, he finds resonance in Mehta, a fearless advocate for the differently-abled who refuses to let his wheelchair define his limits — whether in work or in life.
Mehta, who works with the Green X Talks vertical — one of Adani’s most personally cherished initiatives – embodies the essence of this belief. Dedicated to working with and for differently-abled individuals, Green X Talks supports ventures run by them, breaking barriers in business and society.
As for Mehta, he doesn’t just talk about defying limits; he lives it.
We learn from their shared belief that true strength lies not in what holds you back, but in how far you’re willing to go. Experts say what makes one person different from another, which in large part, lies in their resilience and openness.
Adani, who transformed a trading business into a global infrastructure empire, is a role model for his calculated risk-taking and relentless ambition. The billionaire’s indomitable spirit makes a classic case in point for why risk-takers are never afraid of failures because they know that the impediment is a step towards learning.
Failure helps them to identify chances of success while keeping dangers at bay.
The world got a ringside view of how the 2023 Hindenburg report, which accused the group of tax fraud, corruption and environmental violations, failed to break Adani’s resolve. Despite initial setbacks, the group successfully mitigated risks and rebuilt investor confidence through debt reduction, project abandonment and operational streamlining.
