Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra Turns Criticism into Leadership Lesson
Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, has garnered praise for his response to a scathing critique of the company's vehicles. Instead of dismissing the criticism, Mahindra turned it into a leadership lesson, winning applause from netizens and industry peers alike.
The criticism came in the form of a now-deleted tweet that labeled Mahindra's car designs as "gobar (dung) kinda" and criticized their reliability. Mahindra chose to engage constructively, acknowledging the company's shortcomings while highlighting their progress and determination to improve.
"When I joined the company in 1991, the economy had just been opened up," Mahindra wrote. "A global consulting firm strongly advised us to exit the car business since we had no chance, in their view, of competing with the foreign brands that would enter. Three decades later, we are still around and competing fiercely."
Mahindra acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "Yes, we have miles to go before we sleep. There is no room for complacency, and continuous improvement will continue to be our mantra."
He emphasized how criticism fuels the company's drive to improve, thanking the critic for "feeding the fire in our bellies."
RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka lauded Mahindra's response, calling it a "masterclass in reacting to an irate customer."
The critic later responded, admitting the harshness of their words and acknowledging Mahindra's constructive approach.
Mahindra's response came amid the launch of the XEV 9e electric SUV in India, priced at ₹21.90 lakh. Based on the company's INGLO platform, the vehicle represents Mahindra's push into the EV market, with deliveries set for February 2025.