“Nobody understands how the world will change. The only way you can plan for the future is to have scenarios. You have to have the courage to take a leap of faith on one of them,” Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group.

He argued that planning based on linear data extrapolation is insufficient, and instead, leaders must embrace risks and create multiple scenarios to navigate uncertainty. 

Who is Anand Mahindra

Anand Mahindra (born May 1, 1955) is a prominent Indian billionaire businessman and the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, a Mumbai-based conglomerate with a global presence in industries ranging from automobiles and farm equipment to IT and real estate. As of April 2026, he is recognised as one of India's top 100 richest people, with a net worth of approximately $3.97 billion.   

He is credited with diversifying the group from a, primarily, utility vehicle and tractor manufacturer into a diversified global organisation with a market capitalisation of over $20 billion.   

He is an alumnus of Harvard University (majoring in filmmaking and architecture) and Harvard Business School.   

He established the Nanhi Kali non-governmental organisation (NGO) in 1996, which supports education for underprivileged girls in India. He also co-launched the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014.    

When was this quote said by Anand Mahindra

Mahindra shared this perspective around February 2018, discussing the need for "leaps of faith" in business planning during a period of rapid technological change and industry transformation.   

What does this quote mean?

Anand Mahindra is saying that the old way of planning — looking at past data to predict the future — doesn't work anymore because the world moves too fast.   

Instead of betting on one single "Plan A," you should map out 3 or 4 different versions of what the future might look like.   

You can’t wait for 100% proof before acting, or you’ll be too late. At some point, you have to pick the most likely scenario and commit your resources to it, knowing there is a risk you might be wrong.

Published on: Apr 11, 2026 7:30 AM IST