From Badminton Court to Boardroom: How Sports Discipline Drives Investment Success

In the high-stakes world of finance, where fortunes can swing faster than a
Roger Federer forehand, what separates the winners from the also-rans? For
Shridatta Bhandwaldar, Head of Equities at Canara Robeco AMC, the answer
lies, surprisingly, on the badminton court.

Bhandwaldar, who oversees a portfolio exceeding ₹1 lakh crore, draws a
direct line between the discipline, focus, and resilience honed through
badminton and the skills necessary to navigate the often-turbulent equity
markets. It’s a concept that resonates deeply with the parallels seen in
other sports, where mental fortitude is just as crucial as physical prowess.

Badminton as a Business blueprint

“I play badminton 3-4 days a week,” Bhandwaldar explains. “Firstly, this
helps in being a more disciplined individual. Badminton is a demanding game
in terms of the level of preparation for building stamina, one’s skill sets
in not just focus, versatility and reflexes but also in avoiding unforced
errors.”

He emphasizes the importance of avoiding “unforced errors,” a concept
familiar to any sports fan. Just as a quarterback’s errant throw can cost
his team a game, a rash investment decision can decimate a portfolio. The
key, according to Bhandwaldar, is persistent discipline and effort.

This echoes the sentiments of legendary basketball coach John Wooden, who
famously said, Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. The
preparation and mental acuity required in badminton directly translate to
the rigorous analysis and strategic thinking demanded in equity investment.

Anticipating the Market’s Next Move

Bhandwaldar sees a clear parallel between a badminton match and the ebb and
flow of the stock market. “If you play a badminton match, there would be
lots of ups and downs just like markets,” he notes. “If you play with
discipline, keep your reflexes alive and reduce your unforced errors – you
can navigate the match better, just like in equity markets, all the time.”

He further elaborates on the importance of anticipation: “Over a period, if
you build a sense of quickly anticipating which way the badminton opponent
returns are coming from; it helps you to position yourself better for
responses. Similarly, in equity markets you have to anticipate possibilities
of investment outcomes and keep your responses ready in terms of actions of
allocation and selection of securities.”

Think of it like a chess grandmaster anticipating their opponent’s moves
several steps ahead. In both badminton and investing, the ability to
predict and react swiftly is paramount.

The calming Influence of Music

Beyond the physical demands of badminton, Bhandwaldar also relies on music
to maintain his mental equilibrium. “Listening to Music is like meditation,”
he says. “I daily spend almost 30 mins listening to music before going to
bed. It is indeed an absolute bliss when you listen to good music which calms you
down and allows you to involve yourself with something other than daily
market-related aspects.”

The stress-reducing benefits of music are well-documented, and Bhandwaldar
finds it notably helpful in detaching from the pressures of the market.Just as athletes use visualization and mindfulness techniques to prepare for
competition, Bhandwaldar uses music to unwind and recharge.

Humility in the Face of the Market

managing a massive equity portfolio can be an ego-inflating experiance, but
Bhandwaldar emphasizes the importance of humility. “I have spent almost 20
years in the equity markets,” he says. “The more time you spend in the
market; the more grounded you are likely to become as a human being. Market
is a humbling place.”

He acknowledges that while he can control his investment process, he cannot
control market outcomes in the short term. This realization, coupled with
reflection on past mistakes, keeps him grounded and focused on long-term
success.

Physical Fitness, Mental Resilience

Bhandwaldar firmly believes that physical fitness translates directly into
mental resilience, a crucial attribute for fund managers. “Fund management
is a high pressure,high stress obligation,” he explains. “You are
dealing with someone else’s money, and expectations are always high from
external and internal stakeholders. Under such circumstances, it is critical
to be fit physically and mentally. Playing sports helps one to be fit
physically, which translates into mental and emotional resilience when
things are adverse.”

This aligns with the growing recognition of the importance of mental health
in sports. Just as athletes need to be physically prepared to perform at
their best, fund managers need to be mentally and emotionally equipped to
handle the pressures of the market.

The investing Philosophy in a Nutshell

When asked to describe his investing philosophy in three words, Bhandwaldar
offers: “Scalable and capital efficient businesses backed by quality
promoters/managers.”

Life Lessons from the Court

Bhandwaldar’s approach to life and investing is encapsulated in two key
quotes:

Life is like a badminton match. If you want to win, serve well, return
well. Play cool and remember that the game starts with ‘LOVE ALL’.

Investing is a journey of self-discovery. It reveals your relationship
with money,your tolerance with risk and your ability to stay disciplined
in the face of uncertainty.

For Shridatta Bhandwaldar, the lessons learned on the badminton court are
not just about winning a game; they are about winning in the game of life
and investment.his story serves as a powerful reminder that discipline,
focus, and resilience are essential ingredients for success, whether you’re
smashing a shuttlecock or managing a multi-billion dollar portfolio.

[image of a badminton player in action alongside a graph representing stock market fluctuations, symbolizing the parallels between sports and finance. Alt-text: Badminton player serving, juxtaposed with a stock market graph, highlighting parallels between sports and investment.]