Typically, when people are asked about their most important achievements, they pick a particular job or memorable project. Sandeep Yadav makes a departure from the norm. “My most important achievements are a happy family, a proud set of parents and where I am professionally,” he says simply. “I couldn’t have asked for more at 39, nor can I ignore those who have achieved much more than I have at the same age. Still, I have no complaints at all.” Refreshingly different, candid and honest.

Ironically, telecom was never Yadav’s choice of career. In his younger days, he aspired to be a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force, but those dreams evaporated when he got rejected in the final round of the NDA entrance exams. Luckily, he got a job in sales with the ITC Group of Hotels almost immediately after graduating from high school.

He then moved to the telecom sector and held middle- and senior-level posts with Vodafone Essar (formerly Hutchison Telecom), Hexacom India and Idea Cellular. At Idea, where he headed the sales operations for Delhi and the National Capital Region, he played a key role in transforming various start-up projects into well-established businesses in a highly competitive market.

Today, backed by two decades of professional experience, Yadav is dealing with multiple responsibilities as chief operating officer of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited’s (SSTL) Rajasthan operations. These include overseeing the company’s operations in the state, both wireline and wireless, as well as all voice and data-centric operations.

Going forward, the main challenge before him is to establish the company’s position in an intensely competitive market like Rajasthan. What makes his job even more challenging is the disproportionate economic progress in the state. Ensuring rural penetration and providing data communication are at the top of his “to-do” list.

His management strategy is fairly straightforward: treat the team the way you would expect to be treated. “I believe in giving operational freedom to my team with a firm commitment of standing by them at all times. I also feel that it is okay to make mistakes as long as one learns from them and the same mistake is not repeated.” He does, however, wish he had been more patient on occasions. “In retrospect, I feel I could have been more thoughtful at times, which would perhaps have helped me get more out of my team,” he says.

At the end of a long day, he likes to unwind by going to the gym and spending time with his family. He says his wife and he enjoy travelling together, and socialising with friends and family.