Discipline is a magical thing. Like a strict parent, it provides us with its order and authority, security and an irresistible desire to rebel against it. People generally do not pay attention to any rules. This is why people in traffic run red lights, motorcyclists run red lights, pedestrians run red lights. This is recognized and ignored just as people recognize and ignore oxygen. This is why we are obsessed with rules but drawn to leaders who break them best.
Vijay Srivastava, the big boss of GA Insurance, knows all about rules. He was raised by a strict father, an apple stuck in the tree. He’s trying to be, he says, “cool.” Now a grandfather, he’s shaking off the restrictions his parents imposed on him and living “a little,” as the kids say these days. The correct term, of course, is YOLO (you only live once), but Vijay seems to be the kind of person who thinks his idea of a “cheat day” is wearing a T-shirt on Monday.
In his simple office on Ngong Street in Nairobi, he laughs in the way only a grandfather who has recently discovered the true meaning of life can. Praise aside, this is his salvation – the chance to build something: perhaps not permanent, but at least lasting.
Some people say that insurance and accounting professionals are arrogant and boring. How do you defend yourself?
That’s right, and that’s why, in my management meetings, I always make sure the atmosphere in the company is relaxed or “chilled out,” as the kids say these days. Insurance is a very stressful job. Competition is fierce, and you still have to abide by the rules and regulations.
How to break the rules in your personal life, not at work?
In order to break the rules, you must first know the rules. That way, you know the limit. By always observing the limit, I have become very disciplined over time, but that doesn’t mean I’m not flexible. I break the rules but within the limits allowed.
What kind of father are you?
I have two daughters. I have instilled in them family values. How to maintain relationships, not just within the nuclear family, but also within the extended family. They are married and are grandparents. In the beginning, especially with my first daughter, I was much stricter in terms of discipline, which I later realized was not a good parenting style. I was just following what I had learned growing up under my father, whose generation was very strict. With my last daughter, I tried to change things up so that she would feel comfortable talking to us.
What transformation made your relationship with your second daughter more resilient?
My wife was better at these things than I was. So she also guided me so that I wouldn’t get so stuck in my own ways that there would be a rift between me and my daughters. But also, in my younger years, I was a workaholic, a family nut. I took deliberate steps to start finding balance.
Why is discipline important to you?
It is impossible to live a healthy life without discipline. You have to be disciplined so that you can do things the right way. Discipline is how you develop your character as a reliable person, and once you have credibility, it works everywhere, be it in your family or at work. It does not mean that you are serious at all. You have to enjoy life, but always be aware of your boundaries, how you speak and act.
What are your favorite childhood memories?
I grew up in a generation that didn’t have any gadgets. When I went to college in the late 60s, I would write 10 letters and mail them. Those were great days because we had a lot of creative activities. There was no destruction, right? We always looked forward to the summer break, when we didn’t have to go to school. We played and went outside every day. Unlike kids today, we played outside, not with gadgets, but with each other. Life wasn’t as fast as it is today. Nothing was instantaneous back then.
What do you miss the most about that time?
Personal relationships have changed, today it is possible to have a thousand friends on Instagram and Facebook, but not a single personal friend. I still have my friends from university, and I do not feel any reservations when I talk to them.
How to stay childish?
You know, the child inside you should never die. I enjoy being with the little ones. I don’t put any restrictions on them doing this or that with me. Whenever I’m with my old friends and we talk, the child inside me comes out.
What makes you different from your father?
Oh, totally different. As I said, my dad was very strict and had minimal contact with me. He was an engineer and he taught me math. When he arrived, we all split up. Now we live in smaller families, maybe two kids. I learned a lot from him about how to deal with adversity because life wasn’t easy for him. Keep trying and don’t give up. He loved sports and so did I, especially with my kids.
No, he passed away, and my mother was there until 2014.
What is something you took from your father that you use every day?
Self-confidence. He instilled it in me since I was a child. That’s why I take it (the disciplinary tendency) positively. He helped his family by educating them and supporting them financially.
I took up sports after him, what sports?
I have played cricket, but not professionally. I lived in Tanzania in 1998 while working for Jubilee Insurance. I was only 37 years old, so I played there for five years in the zonal league. I have learnt that if you are a sporty person, it will reflect in your mood, behaviour and work. As a good sportsman, following cricket scores is one of my hobbies. I also follow badminton and football, during the World Cup.
Did any of your children pick up your genes?
They’re all sports freaks, but my youngest daughter worked in sports management, but then switched to marketing in college.
What is your proudest moment as a parent?
When they graduated from college and both went on to study for their master’s degree, they also had integrity, which makes us proud.
You are a father to your children, a manager to your employees – who are you to yourself?
Haha! I’m the same person, I talk and act the way I talk. I’m an outgoing person.
What special treat do you give just for yourself?
I love driving, so I take a week or two off every year. Almost every weekend I have a good time with my friends. I also love spending time with my family and friends. I drove 1,600 kilometres in South Africa last December and didn’t find a single pothole (laughs).
Are you a fan of the jungle or the beach?
I’m not a beach person. I like sports places. I like driving even in traffic. Whenever I go to the countryside, I drive myself.
What misconception do people have about you?
I don’t allow any room for misconceptions to develop. I have open conversations with everyone, and sometimes misconceptions may come from people in the office who may think I’m a bit strict until they start interacting with me.
What’s your weekend soundtrack?
I love Indian music which has a lot of variety. I always listen to music while driving, even in traffic.
What is an unusual habit or silly thing that you love?
Haha! I don’t like to show off. My work and behavior should be proof of that. I stay very conscious all the time.
What did you finally come up with?
I’ve learned to stay flexible, and sometimes say, “Okay, you’re right,” and move on.
Who do you know that I know?
Haha! That’s a tough question. I don’t believe in naming names so let’s just say you should know me, haha!