‘The school motto means to be the best version of yourself’

She serves as Vice-president and Revenue Head for the aftermarket business at Eureka Forbes. Before this, she had the opportunity to work across both B2C and B2B businesses and in diverse roles such as planning, strategy, product management, M&A, and business finance. So, it has been a relatively unconventional journey for her. Meet Reechal Vardhan, an alumnus (batch 2009) at Apeejay School, Noida.

In a candid interview, she discusses the values the school instilled in her, among other things.

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in different parts of the country because my father had a transferable job. So, I was exposed to very diverse cultures from a young age. That also led me towards having a very multifaceted life. I have always had a strong inclination towards academics but also a passion for the creative arts.

How do you look back at your time at Apeejay School?

I joined the school at a very critical phase of my formative years, from Classes IX to XII. I was also fortunate to experience student life both as a hosteller and as a day scholar in the school setup. When I reflect back, the first thing that comes to mind is the values the institute instilled in me: integrity, discipline, humility, and lifelong learning. The institute always encouraged students to strive for excellence while also remaining grounded and respectful towards others.

What role did your teachers play in shaping you?

The teachers who taught me have a very special place in my heart. I have been extremely fortunate to be taught by world-class teachers. The pedagogy followed then was excellent. I am speaking about many years ago, but even then, the institute was one of the best in its time and still is today. The teachers groomed me into the well-rounded person I am today.

You have had a non-conventional career path. What has influenced your growth the most?

The biggest influence on my growth has been the opportunity to work across different functions rather than confining myself to a single domain. Every role has added a different dimension to my professional life. Consulting helped me develop structured problem-solving skills. Product management helped me develop customer centricity. Finance helped me appreciate organisational value creation and P&L ownership. Business leadership taught me how to execute through teams. Every role has contributed to these different aspects of my growth.

What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership is ultimately about leading people, aligning them towards a shared vision, and enabling them to perform at their best. These are things one learns along the way as you grow in your journey, learn from other people, work across different functions, and appreciate different perspectives and cultures around you.

What skills help in this journey?

Some of the skills that help in this journey are structured problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, stakeholder management, and effective communication. You need to approach problems in a structured manner, and every decision has to be backed by data.

What is the biggest strength one can have in today’s environment?

Communication is key because you need to be able to clearly and effectively convey what you want to achieve. Adaptability is one of the most underrated qualities. In today’s time, markets are evolving rapidly, customer needs are shifting, and there is increased geopolitical and technological uncertainty. With the advancement of technology, you have to constantly reinvent yourself and your business.

What does the school motto mean to you?

I remember our school motto, Soaring High is My Nature. To me, that means ultimately being the best version of yourself.