E38 - Dilbagh Gill: How to turn a dream into reality

Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.

Summary

## **Summary of the Podcast Episode with Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal of Mahindra Racing Team**

### **Introduction**

- Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal of Mahindra Racing Team, shares his journey of building a successful Formula E team from the ground up.
- Mahindra Racing is one of the ten founding teams and the only Indian team competing in the Formula E Championship.
- Gill's experience spans over two decades in technology and business development, including working on high-profile programs like Project Manager of FIFA World Cup and A1GP.

### **Key Points:**

**1. Consistency and High Performance:**

- Gill defines high performance as consistency in conviction, belief, influence, courage, and boldness.
- He emphasizes the importance of doing things right the first time and taking pride in one's work.

**2. Questioning Everything:**

- Gill stresses the importance of questioning everything and not accepting conventional wisdom.
- He believes that challenging assumptions and seeking deeper understanding leads to innovative solutions.

**3. Building a Family-Like Team:**

- Gill prioritizes creating a family-like atmosphere within the Mahindra Racing Team.
- He seeks individuals who are committed to working for each other and the team's collective success.
- This approach has resulted in long-term relationships and a strong team spirit.

**4. Dealing with Trust and Understanding:**

- Gill acknowledges that not everyone demonstrates trust and understanding within the team.
- He believes that such individuals typically don't last long in the organization.
- The core group of the team has remained together since inception, fostering alignment and a shared vision.

**5. Importance of Personal Success and Team Success:**

- Gill emphasizes the need to balance personal success with team success in motorsport.
- He seeks drivers who understand the team's philosophy and are willing to work towards building a strong team.
- This approach has led to drivers like Nick Heidfeld maintaining a relationship of trust and understanding with the team even after leaving.

**6. Early Career Experiences:**

- Gill's early work experiences, including repairing motorcycles in college, taught him the value of resourcefulness and adaptability.
- He learned the importance of taking risks, seeking opportunities, and working with diverse individuals.

**7. Purpose and Mission:**

- Gill believes that finding a purpose or mission is crucial for driving success.
- He views his role as carrying India's flag and representing the country in the world of motorsport.
- This purpose motivates him and his team to excel and achieve great things.

### **Conclusion:**

- Gill's journey exemplifies the power of questioning conventions, fostering a family-like team culture, and balancing personal and team success.
- His insights provide valuable lessons for leaders and teams looking to achieve high performance and make a positive impact in their respective fields.

**I. Introduction of Dilbagh Gill and Mahindra Racing:**

- Dilbagh Gill serves as the CEO and Team Principal of Mahindra Racing, one of the founding teams in the Formula E Championship.
- Gill has built the team from the ground up, leading them to multiple race victories and podium finishes.
- With over two decades of experience in technology and business development, Gill has a proven track record of success in various high-profile programs, including the FIFA World Cup and A1GP.

**II. Creating a Family Culture in a Competitive Sport:**

- Gill emphasizes the importance of creating a family culture within the team, fostering empathy, technical understanding, and brilliant driving skills.
- He believes that avoiding a blame culture and encouraging disagreement while committing to decisions is crucial for team success.
- To prevent fiefdoms and silos, Mahindra Racing employs strong communication, regular meetings, and team-based rewards, including bonuses structured around team performance rather than individual achievements.

**III. The Role of Drivers and the Importance of Technical Excellence:**

- Gill initially offered individual performance-based bonuses to drivers but later shifted to team-based incentives to promote collaboration and shared success.
- He acknowledges the need to challenge conventions and adapt to changing circumstances, such as modifying the driver reporting structure to align with the team's goals.
- Gill emphasizes the importance of technical excellence and continuous improvement, encouraging team members to strive for incremental gains and embrace a growth mindset.

**IV. Handling Bad Race Weekends and Debriefing Processes:**

- Mahindra Racing aims to avoid a blame culture during debriefing sessions, focusing on fundamentals and learning from mistakes.
- Gill recognizes the need to manage his emotions and prevent raw anger from hindering productive discussions.
- The team's core members have developed an understanding of Gill's emotional responses and have learned to navigate them effectively.

**V. Maintaining a High-Performance Mindset and Emotional Control:**

- Gill acknowledges the importance of emotional engagement and responding authentically to moments of triumph and disappointment.
- He emphasizes the need to flush negative emotions quickly and regain a logical and engineering mindset to make informed decisions.
- Gill credits his core team for recognizing his emotional moments and allowing him space to vent, knowing that he will eventually regain composure and contribute constructively.

**VI. Ensuring Safety and Accountability in a High-Risk Environment:**

- Gill stresses the critical need for safety and accountability in Formula E, where mistakes can have life-threatening consequences.
- He emphasizes the importance of constant preparation, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic to minimize risks and ensure the safety of drivers, team members, and spectators.
- Regular reminders and discussions are held to reinforce the team's commitment to safety and the responsibility of each individual to perform their duties flawlessly.

**VII. The Importance of Human Elements, Financial Support, and Technical Skills:**

- Gill believes that human elements are the most crucial factor for team success, followed by financial support and technical skills.
- He acknowledges the direct correlation between financial resources and results in motorsport but emphasizes the importance of innovation and agility to compete effectively.
- Gill highlights the success of smaller and customer teams in Formula E, demonstrating that financial resources alone do not guarantee victory.

**VIII. Reflecting on the Past Season and Preparing for the Future:**

- Mahindra Racing aims to continuously improve and identify areas for incremental gains, leaving no silver bullets untapped.
- Gill recognizes the importance of mental health and sports psychology in enhancing driver performance and overall team success.
- The team has invested in mental health support and seen positive results from engaging with a sports psychologist.

**IX. Gill's Personal Philosophy and Future Aspirations:**

- Gill believes in maximizing each day and living a high-performance life.
- He emphasizes the importance of asking questions rather than memorizing answers, focusing on experiences rather than content.
- Gill expresses his desire to become a middle school teacher in the future, driven by his passion for education and his belief that education needs to change to focus on asking better questions.

**X. Non-Negotiable Behaviors, Advice for Young Professionals, and Legacy:**

- Gill identifies integrity, doing it right the first time, and honesty as his non-negotiable behaviors.
- He advises young professionals not to take themselves too seriously and to focus on gaining experiences rather than just content.
- Gill believes legacy is very important and emphasizes the need to respect and appreciate the past to build a better future.

**XI. Golden Rule for Living a High-Performance Life:**

- Gill's golden rule for living a high-performance life is to maximize each day, making the most of every opportunity and living life to the fullest.

Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal of Mahindra Racing, has built his Formula E team from the ground up, leading them to multiple race victories and podiums. Gill's extensive experience in technology and business development, coupled with his unique sporting technology practices, has shaped his successful career.

Gill emphasizes the importance of recognizing what one doesn't know and actively seeking knowledge to bridge the gap. He highlights the Dunning-Kruger effect, where individuals tend to overestimate their abilities, leading to a lack of awareness of their own ignorance. Gill stresses the need to acknowledge this phenomenon and adopt a humble approach to learning.

In high-pressure situations, Gill believes that leaders should have the confidence to step up and take charge, while also being open to asking questions and seeking input from others. He acknowledges that this can be challenging, especially when emotions are running high, but emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure and focusing on the task at hand.

Gill's leadership style centers around fostering a positive and supportive team environment. He recognizes the value of passion and dedication among his team members and encourages them to pursue their interests with enthusiasm. Gill believes that this approach leads to greater job satisfaction and overall team success.

Gill's journey in various industries and roles has taught him the importance of adaptability and embracing new challenges. He encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones and explore different opportunities, as this can lead to personal and professional growth.

Overall, Dilbagh Gill's insights offer valuable lessons on leadership, learning, and personal development, emphasizing the significance of self-awareness, humility, and a passion for lifelong learning.