Diageo India is among the country’s leading beverage alcohol companies with an outstanding collection of premium brands.
From Corporate Leader to Resilient Cancer Survivor: Sandeep Sharma's Inspirational Journey at Diageo India
In the fast-paced world of corporate success, few stories shine as brightly as Sandeep Sharma's. His decade + long journey with Diageo India is a testament to resilience, unwavering dedication, and the strength of a supportive work family. Based in Bengaluru, Sandeep has been integral to Diageo India's success, exemplifying the company's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering growth.
Sandeep's career at Diageo India has been nothing short of a "roller coaster ride," as he describes it. From stabilizing challenging markets such as Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to spearheading brand marketing for iconic brands like McDowell's, his path has been marked by continuous learning and remarkable achievements.
"The best part about my journey was that the organization trusted me with roles I had never taken up in my life," Sandeep reflects. Coming from a commercial background, being part of the core team working on reenergizing a power brand like McDowell’s and entering the white spirits category was nothing short of a dream come true for him.
However, life threw Sandeep an unexpected curveball in August 2023 when he was diagnosed with cancer. In this moment of crisis, the true essence of the Diageo family shone through, leaving an indelible impact on his life and career.
"During my cancer scare, the last thing I was worried about was my job," Sandeep shares. "The psychological safety gave me courage and ability to fight it with all my might."
The diagnosis took a significant toll on Sandeep, yet it was during this challenging period that he truly experienced the depth of Diageo's commitment to its employees. The organization provided Sandeep with paid leave and unwavering support. His colleagues made daily check-in calls, and the HR department sent thoughtful gestures, creating a support system crucial to his recovery.
"For me, Diageo India isn't just an organization but my second home," he affirms. "The company always stood by me, giving me the strength to focus on my health."
Returning after a six-month break, Sandeep found that Diageo's support didn't end with his recovery. "After the hiatus, the organization invested in me for the better and made me ready for the future by giving opportunities in the leadership space," he shares. Sandeep embraced a new challenge as part of the Royal Challenge brand team, an opportunity that allowed him to excel even in the face of adversity.
Sandeep's experience with different brands at Diageo has taught him the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking. "With every brand, you need a different game plan," he explains. “For a market leader like McDowell’s, you have to keep pushing the boundaries in order to ensure growth.” He elaborates on the challenges of maintaining growth for established brands: You have to challenge the status quo and look for newer avenues which can filip your growth, and hence we forayed into growing white spirits category which targets the new age consumers and completely different celebration occasions than the mother brand. (Gin, Rum & Vodka)."
Sandeep's leadership philosophy is rooted in fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous learning. "My life mantra is to give in my 100% to every opportunity that comes my way, and trust the process. s. What you don’t know, you learn. .And Diageo fosters a culture of treating each failure as a learning, hence making us make bold choices towards progress
His approach to leadership also emphasizes the importance of celebrating small victories, building strong teams, and having supportive, action-oriented leaders. He emphasizes "the team must be strong." "But I also believe leadership has a big role to play. I know have worked with leaders who lead by example and have gotten their hands dirty with us on ground to help us navigate through challenging times."
Sandeep's journey embodies resilience, both in his professional life and as a marathon runner. His philosophy, "Nothing comes easy; it's you who must make your way through," encapsulates the grit required to overcome life's challenges. With determination, support from our chosen family, and trust in the process, we can all navigate our own marathons, emerging stronger on the other side. As Sandeep says, "Success comes and it will. Sometimes it's early and sometimes a bit late. What really matters is how much effort you put into it and the journey."
