#40: What Indian Corporate Leaders Can Learn from Poker

#40: What Indian Corporate Leaders Can Learn from Poker

Ever felt like every business decision is a gamble? Well, poker might just teach us how to play those bets smarter.

Running a business today often feels like sitting at a poker table where every move counts, every bet carries weight, and every decision can change the game. For Indian corporate leaders navigating complex markets, fast-changing trends, and fierce competition, the parallels between poker and business are closer than you might think.

Are You Playing With Strategy or Just Playing for Luck?

In poker, no one just shoves all their chips in without thinking. They work out the odds, watch the game flow, and only take the risk when it makes sense. In business, the same principle applies. Leaders who succeed don’t avoid risk; they choose their moments wisely.

Patience Pays Off: Zepto’s Rise During the Funding Freeze

In business, patience is often underrated, whereas poker says that sometimes the best move is to fold and wait. You don’t need to win every hand to win the game.

Similarly, consider the Mumbai-based startup Zepto, which chose to be patient amid the tough funding environment in 2023. While many startups rushed to close deals quickly and faced operational setbacks, Zepto focused on strengthening its product and infrastructure before raising funds again. This patient approach helped Zepto secure a significant funding round even during the funding winter, giving it the runway needed to scale sustainably in the long term.

Mumbai’s startup funding plummeted by 62% in 2023 to a three-year low of $1.5 billion. According to Inc42, startups like Zepto that played the long game and avoided rash decisions have come out stronger.

Learning when to wait, when to pause and gather more information, can transform challenges into opportunities.

What Does Your Corporate ‘Table Image’ Say About You?

At the poker table, players build reputations, or “table images,” that influence how their opponents react. Are you seen as aggressive, cautious, or unpredictable? This image shapes the entire game.

Similarly, a leader’s reputation is a powerful asset. Consistency, reliability, and authenticity build trust with teams, partners, and customers. Your corporate “image” can open doors or close them, long before negotiations start.

Are You Ready to Lead Through Tough Times?

Setbacks and failures are part of any game, be it poker or business. What truly matters is staying consistent, dedicated, and focused on long-term growth.

Take India’s booming online gaming industry as an example. Last month, the government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, effectively banning real-money online games.

The ban sent shockwaves across a $25 billion gaming sector, risking massive job losses and investor pullback. But corporate leaders in this space are rallying, investing in innovation within the new legal boundaries, and planning for sustainable, regulated growth. This perseverance and strategic shift is exactly what it means to play the long game in business—staying in the race despite hurdles, adapting to change, and aiming for lasting success.

Whether it’s the poker table or the boardroom, the lesson is clear: enduring commitment and smart adaptation lead to greatness.

Final Thoughts

So, next time the pressure is on and decisions look like a gamble, think like a poker player. Calculate your risks, read the people, be patient, protect your reputation, and keep your eyes on the big picture.

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