In a powerful message to aspiring business leaders, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has urged entrepreneurs to prioritize societal impact over personal wealth, emphasizing that true success lies in serving a billion people, not chasing billions in profits. His remarks came during a candid conversation with McKinsey & Company for its Leading Asia series.
“If You Want to Be a Billionaire, You’re an Idiot”: Dhirubhai’s Legacy
Ambani recalled a lesson from his father and Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani, who once said:
“If you want to start a business to be a billionaire, you are an idiot; you will never get there. But if you want to start a business to impact a billion people, then you have a good chance of success.”
This philosophy, Ambani said, continues to guide Reliance’s operations and long-term vision.
Jio: A Risk That Became India’s Digital Revolution
Ambani cited the launch of Reliance Jio in 2016 as the biggest risk of his career, fully funded by Reliance. Despite skepticism, he believed that even if returns were minimal, digitizing India would be the company’s greatest act of philanthropy. The gamble paid off—Jio now boasts over 470 million subscribers, having transformed India’s digital landscape.
Focus on Purpose, Not Obstacles
Ambani stressed the importance of goal-oriented leadership, stating:
“If you focus on the obstacles, you will never reach your goals; but if you focus on your goal, you will overcome all the obstacles.”
He added that Reliance reinvents its business strategy every few years, but its “North Star” of societal impact remains unchanged.
Building for the Future: Deep-Tech and Green Energy
Looking ahead, Ambani envisions Reliance as a deep-tech and advanced manufacturing powerhouse, with major investments in 5G, AI, and green energy ecosystems including solar, hydrogen, and battery technologies. He emphasized that character, competence, and culture are the three pillars of Reliance’s people philosophy.
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