Mukul Kishore’s Letter To My Younger Self

As I look back on a career spanning more than three decades, I find myself reflecting not just on the milestones, but on the lessons that shaped the journey. You are just beginning, full of ambition and questions, and while the road ahead will not always be easy, it will be deeply rewarding.

You will start your career in risk engineering, and over time move across underwriting, claims, and risk management roles in primary insurance companies. Much later, you will join SCOR and take on the challenge of building something new as the Chief Underwriting Officer for a nascent branch in Mumbai. That role will open doors you cannot yet imagine, eventually leading you to become CEO of the India Branch, and later to lead the Asia-Pacific region for P&C. Each step will come with responsibility, but also growth. Trust that the journey will unfold as it should.

The early years will test you. There will be moments that feel tough, challenging, even hostile. You may question your path, your abilities, and your place. In those moments, remember this: do not lose your poise. Stay focused, look beyond the immediate discomfort, and keep your bearings. These early trials are not setbacks; they are your foundation.

It is in those difficult years that you will learn the importance of patience, composure, and resilience. You will realize that not every battle needs to be fought loudly. Sometimes the greatest strength lies in staying calm, grounded, and consistent. Focus on the basics. Believe in your own abilities, even when others do not yet see your potential. This quiet conviction will carry you further than you expect.

There will be times when you feel pushed to your limits. Embrace those moments. When you rise to meet a challenge and deliver, something shifts. Not just externally, but within you. The path ahead becomes clearer, the obstacles feel less daunting, and your confidence deepens. Years later, when you look back, these will be the moments you take the greatest pride in - – not because they were easy, but because you endured and grew stronger.

As you progress, remember that success is never achieved alone. You will be supported by teams, guided by mentors, and strengthened by your family. Acknowledge this openly and often. Leadership is not about standing above others; it is about lifting them with you. Listen, learn, and give back. The relationships you build will be just as important as the results you deliver.

Mentorship will play a crucial role in your life. Seek knowledge and inspiration from anyone and anywhere: titles and hierarchies matter far less than perspective and experience. At the same time, be generous with your own knowledge. As you grow, take the time to guide others. Leadership is as much about developing people as it is about achieving outcomes.

Do not be afraid of failure. In fact, actively seek challenges that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. Failure is not the opposite of success. It is a part of it. Each setback carries a lesson, and each lesson prepares you for the next challenge. What matters is not avoiding failure but learning from it and moving forward with greater clarity.

Embrace change. The world you are entering will not remain constant, and neither should you. Adaptability will become one of your greatest strengths. Be open to new ideas, new roles, and new ways of thinking. The willingness to evolve will set you apart.

Amidst ambition and responsibility, do not forget to live fully. Your career will be important, but it is only one part of a much larger life. Make time for your passions, for your family, and for moments that bring you joy. Whether it is a sport, a hobby, or simply time spent with loved ones, these will ground you and help you recharge. They will make you not just a more balanced professional, but a better human being.

And above all, remember this: love and respect yourself. Maintain integrity in all that you do and strive to be kind. Success is meaningful only when it is built on values that you are proud of. Treat people well, do good where you can, and stay true to who you are.

If I could leave you with one final thought, it is this: your journey will not be defined by titles or roles, but by the person you become along the way. Stay curious, stay humble, and stay resilient. The path may twist and turn, but each step will shape you into someone stronger, wiser, and more grounded than you can imagine today.

With perspective and pride,
Your Older Self

Mukul is a (re)insurance professional with a long and distinguished contribution to the industry for over three decades. During this tenure he has held various leadership roles in general insurance and reinsurance. Over the years he has been actively associated with industry initiatives.

He is a graduate engineer from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, and a Fellow of Insurance Institute of India. He started his career in risk engineering and then moved to other roles and responsibilities covering every aspect of the general insurance industry.  Before joining SCOR, he held leadership position in a leading private sector insurer in India and was responsible for underwriting, reinsurance, claims, and risk engineering.

Mukul joined SCOR in August 2016 as part of the team to set-up the India Branch operations. He started as the Chief Underwriting Officer and then was its CEO & CUO for APAC Fast Growth Markets until January 2022. He took the regional role in Asia-Pacific, from 1st February 2022 and is currently the CEO for SCOR Reinsurance Asia-Pacific and Head of P&C, APAC.

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