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<\/a><\/p>\nLet\u2019s start at the beginning, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got here today?<\/strong><\/p>\n I grew up in India and began my career in the corporate world after completing an MBA and qualifying as a cost accountant. Over time, I realized that the corporate path was not for me, so I decided to apply for PhD programs.<\/p>\n I joined IESE in 2004 as a PhD student, focusing on corporate creativity and creative teams. Back in India, I had been involved in theatre and cinema, and I\u2019ve been fortunate to connect my creative side with my background in business administration. That combination has shaped my career to this date.<\/p>\n Who have been the most influential figures in your life and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the most influential people in my life has been Professor Pradip Khandwalla. He introduced me to the idea that management is not just about running organizations, but also about understanding society, behavior, and decision-making more broadly.<\/p>\n His ability to combine analytical thinking with creativity inspired me to pursue this field. At IESE, I have also been fortunate to learn from mentors and colleagues whose teaching and research have shaped how I think about creativity and management. Professors Antonio D\u00e1vila<\/strong> and Juan Roure<\/a>, in particular, were very influential in my teaching methodology and work.<\/p>\n In personal space, I would say my parents have been a big influence. My father didn\u2019t have electricity in his home till he was 17 years of age. Despite coming from a humble background and a small village, he was able to reach a good position in a bank and provide very good education to his children.<\/p>\n At IESE, we develop leaders who will have a deep and lasting impact, through their professional excellence and spirit of service. What are your thoughts on the role of entrepreneurship in society?<\/strong><\/p>\n Entrepreneurship is fundamental to how society progresses. Entrepreneurs do not just create businesses, they solve problems. Where others see difficulties, entrepreneurs see opportunities to create value.<\/p>\n That value leads to innovation, job creation, and broader development. Over time, I have become more convinced that entrepreneurship is one of the key drivers of economic, social, and human progress, because it enables individuals to act on ideas and transform them into meaningful outcomes.<\/p>\n Which personal or professional achievement are you most proud of, and what motivates you about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n I would say I am most proud of being able to maintain both sides of my identity: the analytical and the creative. Alongside my academic work, I have continued to be involved in theatre, television, and film. For me, the ability to keep both \u201cworlds\u201d active is important.<\/p>\n There are also many smaller achievements, such as developing new courses or experimenting with new teaching approaches. These are motivating because they allow me to create something from scratch, see it come to life, and witness the impact it has on our students.<\/p>\n I am also immensely proud of everyday things, like helping or developing my children\u2019s interests and achievements.<\/p>\n What inspires you most about your work in and outside IESE?<\/strong><\/p>\n The people I work with are the biggest source of inspiration. At IESE, we interact with very talented colleagues and participants. Teaching experienced executives, for example, is inspiring because they bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective.<\/p>\n It creates an environment where learning becomes a shared process. Outside IESE, working with creative professionals in artistic settings is equally inspiring, as it exposes me to different ways of thinking and creating.<\/p>\n How do you see the role of AI reshaping creativity and entrepreneurship?<\/strong><\/p>\n AI is shaping both creativity and entrepreneurship in a huge way. Let\u2019s talk about creativity first. AI is a big enabler. I have developed a tool called FOOTCing (Flying Out of the context) \u2013 which helps users understand the context from which they are drawing new ideas and go beyond the context. In other words, a tool that literally takes you \u2018out of the box\u2019. However, there is also a risk that people would stop pushing their own brains for creative solutions and rely heavily on AI.<\/p>\n On the other hand, AI has facilitated entrepreneurship in a massive way. Not only does the availability of AI tools offer more opportunities to create new solutions, but it also helps you test your ideas and create quick prototypes. My colleagues Sandra Sieber<\/a>, Yuliya Snihur<\/a> and Liinus Hietamami<\/a> recently created and delivered an entire course \u2013 FUND II (Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship) that was developed through AI.<\/p>\n What advice would you give to students or anyone considering entrepreneurship?<\/strong><\/p>\n You must give it a go. You cannot become an entrepreneur just by thinking about it \u2013 you have to take action and experiment.<\/p>\n At the same time, your priority should be knowledge, not money. Focus on understanding your product and your market, and work to convert your assumptions into knowledge. If you build that foundation, your chances of success increase significantly, because your decisions are based on insight rather than guesswork.<\/p>\n Speed round<\/strong><\/p>\n What do you do in your free time?<\/strong> Three words to describe yourself?<\/strong> What are you reading, watching, or listening to these days?<\/strong> Something that makes you happy<\/strong> Favorite place?<\/strong> Explain creativity and entrepreneurship to a 10-year-old<\/strong>
\nI read fiction.<\/p>\n
\nCommitted, curious, flexible.<\/p>\n
\nI am reading Blueprints<\/em> by Marcus du Sautoy, about mathematics and creativity, and listening to poetry and music by Vinicius de Moraes.<\/p>\n
\nWalking with my children to or from school and having conversations with them.<\/p>\n
\nHome here in Barcelona to relax, and also India, as there is always something new to discover.<\/p>\n
\nAsk: \u201cTake something you already know or own; What would you change? What would you do differently? \u201d<\/em> If they act on it, that\u2019s both creativity and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n