Adherence To Rules And Leadership

Prahlad Kakkar
Ad filmmaker, scuba diver and restaurateur

I went to a Sainik school. My dad was an army man; so, we were brought up with the kind of discipline the army clan demands. Discipline and adherence to rules were always the priority. I learnt all my leadership crafts while growing up. I was never much of a follower anyway; so, the leader in me was trained at home. I am a tough taskmaster and, I think, I picked up that trait too from my parents.

We have three boys, who have grown into fine and successful gentlemen today. The credit for that goes to my wife Mithali. I believe in bonding with my children on a very personal level rather than 'parenting' them. That's why, I am the lenient parent.

I have learnt from my children more than they have learnt from me. It is more important for me to be a successful parent to my children first, than to be successful at anything else. If parents can't sell an idea to their own children, how can they sell it to the world outside, be it in a professional space or the societal one?