Stories of Leadership: Lalit Dhir

He is the head of strategy and portfolio for Life Technologies, and has worked for the company since 2007. His previous positions include vice president of corporate development and strategic marketing for Guava Technologies and vice president of business development for BD Biosciences.

Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?

I am proud of working with pioneers and industry leaders in the field of life sciences. It is very rewarding to work at Life Technologies, which is a leader in innovative and cutting-edge tools that facilitate life-altering research. I enjoy working on an idea from a gestational stage to the point where it brings value to a researcher and changes the world by enhancing the well-being of people. The upside is that along the way, I associate with hugely creative people and learn a lot.

What is your favorite college memory?

My favorite professor was Nik Varaiya, finance. I admired his approach both to teaching and finance. It was evident that he was pursuing his true calling and that is always something very inspiring for me when I see people excel at what they do. My favorite class, which was also the most challenging to me, was statistics, taught by Jim Beatty. Many in the class struggled with statistics and questioned the purpose and significance of the subject for executives. It was only towards the end of the year, that everything began to fall into place and we understood how it would come into play in our careers.  It was also wonderful that after finishing the program, the entire class, including faculty, continued to get together for some time. We’d meet at our places of employment or at our homes to reconnect and to know each other beyond the classroom.

If you were to give current SDSU students some advice, what would you say?

I would advise them to imagine themselves ten, fifteen or twenty years down the road and ask themselves some basic questions. What will make me happy? What kind of lifestyle do I desire? What kind of work would I pursue passionately to attain that lifestyle?

I feel understanding one’s goals and passions is the key to both personal and professional growth.

What are you currently reading? What is your favorite book?

I am currently reading two books. The first is a draft of my wife, Simrita’s, debut novel. She is also a San Diego State University alumna from the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies. Her novel is a story about immigrants and the pursuit of the great "American Dream." I am eager to see it go into print. The other book that I am reading is "The Immortals of Meluha" by Amish Tripathi. The novel uses the legend of Shiva to explore the many versions of reality, karma, the character of society and the nature of evil and duality.

On an everyday basis, the bulk of my reading is business related. My favorite book is "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. It brilliantly unfolds what it means to be a great and inspirational leader.

What is your passion?

My family is my passion. Every weekend, I look forward to playing basketball or going swimming with my son and watching some interesting movies with my wife.  My other passion is my work. Reflecting upon the means by which technology can usher a happier, healthier world by diagnosing and curing diseases gives me a sense of accomplishment.

What is your motto?

Do what you enjoy, and give it all you got.

If you won a lottery, what would you do with your winning?

I would ensure that my immediate and extended family and my friends are secure. I would donate the rest to the charities I support. The foremost of which is CRY — Child Rights & You, a program that focuses on the health and education of disadvantaged children in India.