Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Hci
Search every verified Rakesh Sehgal interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Rakesh Sehgal, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Hci, has been producing a video series titled "Conversations with Rakesh" in which he discusses professional development topics. In an April 2025 episode, he addressed resilience, stating that the brain is not used to handling discomfort and frustration, and he advised viewers to become "good at these two words." He also said that "resilience is not just about bouncing back from setbacks, but about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth." In a January 2025 episode, he discussed performance anxiety in high-stakes meetings, offering four tips for articulating ideas under pressure, including beginning with a "leading answer" of about 15 words and engaging in positive self-talk after the meeting. In earlier episodes, Sehgal covered topics such as planning a career break, negotiation skills, and job interview preparation. He described career breaks as requiring careful planning, including closing the current chapter of one's career and resetting salary expectations upon re-entry. He also promoted a program called the "Six Seas of confident communication," which he said focuses on confidence, curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and competence. In a negotiation episode, he characterized negotiation as "a game of chess using words" and emphasized the importance of preparation, assertiveness, listening, and maintaining trust.
“Resilience is not just about bouncing back from setbacks, but about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. This mindset is essential for navigating the financial uncertainties we face today.”
“In today’s economy, understanding the importance of financial resilience can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. It’s about preparing for the unexpected and managing risks effectively.”
“While economic policies often focus on short-term gains, we must also prioritize long-term financial stability to ensure sustainable growth for our stakeholders.”
“The role of CFOs today extends beyond managing numbers; it’s about leading organizations through turbulent times with strategic foresight and resilience.”
“Economic resilience depends on our ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and to implement policies that support sustainable development.”
“It’s crucial for financial leaders to foster a culture of resilience within their organizations, emphasizing agility and proactive risk management.”
“The global economic landscape is increasingly volatile, and only those organizations that prioritize resilience will be able to sustain growth in the face of adversity.”
“Effective financial management today requires a balance between risk-taking and risk mitigation, ensuring stability while pursuing innovation.”
“Policy frameworks that support economic resilience are vital for protecting jobs, stabilizing markets, and fostering sustainable development.”
“As CFOs, our responsibility is to ensure that our organizations are resilient enough to withstand economic shocks and emerge stronger.”
“Performance anxiety can be devastating and it's increasing day by day. We are now witnessing a momentous transition of our societies and it is changing so fast, creating confusion and high stakes in professional environments where millions of rupees or dollars are on the line and your own career is at stake.”
“Millions of dollars are dependent on how you present your ideas that day, so remember it's a communication problem; your ability to think and respond is very critical and your brain has to be sharp.”
“Tip number one: always start with the most important line that conveys your answer. The first line should be the response to that question, usually about 15 words, to demonstrate confidence and clarity under stress.”
“Tip number two: justify your leading answer with two or three sentences that provide logical proof, data, or examples to support your suggestion, without confusing the listener.”
“Tip number three: use nonverbals such as pauses and slowing down while speaking. Pausing demonstrates that you are thinking, confident, and processing, which projects confidence to your audience.”
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