KEEPING PACE . Sumit Bali: Running inspiration

As a student at Delhi University in the 1980s, Sumit Bali used to divide his time between books and track training (being a member of the university’s athletics team) alike. An activity that started out as a means to control his asthma has stayed with Bali over the decades and also shaped his life and career. Now 51, the chief executive officer and executive director of India Infoline Finance Limited (IIFL) believes that a person’s dedication to running, fitness, sport or any non-work activity is a solid indicator of the effort he/she is likely to put in at work.

“The way people plan, train and overcome challenges in running or other sports is like a litmus test. Their preparation and dedication for the activity of choice speaks volumes of how they are likely to function in office. If someone sets reasonable objectives for his/her running, works diligently towards them and achieves them, it shows a fair bit of the person’s character,” says Bali, who has represented Delhi University in middle- and long-distance events, finishing a half marathon in a rather quick time of 76 minutes as a 20-year-old in 1987.

A fine balance

As a business leader, Bali needs to be alert and on his toes all the time and ensure that he is fit both physically and mentally. That’s exactly what his running regimen helps him achieve. “Running keeps me fit. It has a positive influence on my work,” says the Mumbai-based father of two. However, training for long-distance running demands a fair chunk of one’s schedule and carving that time out of one’s professional, family and social commitments requires discipline and planning — traits much coveted in any business leader.

“[Balancing training and work] calls for discipline and being productive throughout the day. Avoiding late-night parties, planning meals around running, eating healthy and sleeping on time...all lead to a more regimented work and personal life,” says Bali, a veteran of 23 half marathons. He trains five days a week, scheduling four runs, ranging between 5 and 7 km, in the evening after work. And once a week, he wakes up early to run on the roads of Mumbai, usually from Bandra to Marine Drive, covering anything between 17 km and 21 km.

Time travel: Sumit Bali started running as a student of Delhi University in the 1980s in a bid to control his asthma

This discipline on display has a direct impact on Bali’s colleagues and team members. “To see a senior official balancing work and personal life inspires others to get healthy. It motivates my team to move out of its comfort zone and be active,” says Bali. He adds that more and more people in his company are signing up for running events. This January, about 50 people from IIFL participated in the Tata Mumbai Marathon. Bali hopes to have the company sponsor a team at the same event next year.

Ethics, solutions and more

At IIFL, where a fair number of people in the leadership team are runners, the activity goes beyond merely motivating colleagues to up their game. For one, when dealing with a runner, it makes breaking the ice a lot easier and also helps forge stronger bonds. “Running is a good conversation starter and it leads to interaction beyond business,” says Bali.

The man has often found solutions to work-related problems while out on a run. “When I am running, I get into a zone where I almost reboot my mind so to speak. It helps me keep the clutter of thoughts at bay. Also, running is a sport where the harder and smarter you train, the results will be evident. It will also show if you do not train. Those ethics help at work too,” adds Bali who, despite losing some of his speed with age, completes half marathons in under 100 minutes.

Bali’s favourite “running” moment was when, as a participant in the Otto Peltzer Run in Delhi, 1986, he covered 6.5 km in 19 minutes 55 seconds. At that moment, the world appeared perfect to the then teenager.

Today, another young man in the family — Bali’s 23-year-old son, Arjit, who is currently based in Indianapolis, US — is preparing for his first half marathon scheduled in May. In an ideal world, the business leader and runner would like everyone to spend at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, on fitness. “It will make them more disciplined and keep them healthy,” says Bali.

Though Bali usually runs with friends who keep a similar pace, he does set aside time to run with colleagues too. Those are usually runs with a fair bit of informal conversation. However, work talk does, sometimes, slip in but no one really minds that. After the run, they usually cool down by taking a few selfies together. If it is a long run, Bali enjoys a cold beer to sit back and relax.

Shrenik Avlani i s a freelance journalist and author based in Kolkata.