Grofer's Albinder Dhindsa: The fear of failure keeps me going

Quick Bytes with Albinder Dhindsa, Co-founder and CEO, Grofers.com

Albinder Dhindsa has come a long way since his college days at IIT-Delhi and later Columbia Business School. Before starting up with his friend Saurabh Kumar, Albinder worked with UBS Investment Bank and Zomato. Today, the entrepreneurial venture of this 35-year-old from Punjab has gained the attention of many global investors. 

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Contentment. You should be happy with what you have

What is your greatest fear? 

Failure – fear of failure keeps me going

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? 

Procrastination

What is the trait you most deplore in others? 

Dishonesty

Which living person do you admire the most? 

I am fairly cynical person, so it is hard to answer it. Everyone has their flaws – so why put them on a pedestal?

What is your greatest extravagance? 

I love cars. I have four, including a Gypsy and a BMW, which I bought in 2012 before starting Grofers. (I regretted the decision later, as I had to pay EMI for months. My family is also crazy about cars)

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Hard work

What do you most dislike about your appearance? 

Nothing. I have been self-conscious throughout my life, but not vain.

Which living person do you most despise? 

Despise is a strong word. I don’t despise anyone I know. If I despise someone, I won’t talk to them. I don’t believe in having a public personality.

What is the quality you most like in men and women?

Humility

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? 

Actually

What or who is the greatest love of your life? 

My wife

When and where were you happiest? 

Now. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even at my worst, I wouldn’t trade it.

Which talent would you most like to have? 

Multitasking. I would also like to understand music or an instrument.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

I am okay with my life. I would probably like some self-control. I get addicted to things quite easily. But if I change that, I may feel like I am not me.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? 

Whatever I am doing right now

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? 

Myself. I may be able to do things better the second time around

Where would you most like to live? 

My home, wherever it is.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? 

Professionally, it was when we were not able to figure out how to grow the company. Personally, you will have miserable experiences every now and then.

What is your favourite occupation?

Entrepreneurship

What is your most marked characteristic? 

I am good at talking to people. But I don’t do anything dishonest. I do what I say, I say what I do.

What do you most value in your friends? 

Honesty

Who are your favourite writers? 

I read only business books now. I don’t have a favourite writer; but I have favourite books.

Who is your fictional hero? 

Jaegers in Pacific Rim

Which historical figure do you most identify with? 

None

Who are your heroes in real life? 

My parents. They didn’t really have a background on education, but they took some right calls. They encouraged education. I look up to my older brother too. He is in the Civil Services. Our parents trusted our decisions

What is your favourite name? 

Ayra, my niece’s name.

What do you dislike the most? 

I don’t like people taking advantage of others

What is your greatest regret? 

I don’t carry around any regret

How would you like to die? 

Peacefully; without suffering. Hopefully, in sleep

What is your motto? 

Whatever you do, always make progress – step by step with conviction