Inside the manager’s mind : Manjunath Sagar

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Sagar! Sagar : At Mercari India, rapid expansion is more than just scaling numbers—it’s about intentional leadership that fosters clarity, unlocks potential, and nurtures an empowered culture. For me, effective management isn’t just about driving performance; it’s about guiding with steadiness, leading with empathy, and creating a foundation of trust. As we continue to grow, I find myself leaning on a set of principles—some expected, some unconventional—that have shaped the way I support my team. Whether it’s welcoming new talent, refining HR initiatives, or championing individual growth, these values remain at the core of how I lead. 1. Anchor in Calm Amidst Chaos Change fuels innovation, but it also brings uncertainty. In high-growth environments, teams don’t just look to their leaders for solutions—they look for steadiness. My guiding principle: My calm creates their safety; my clarity gives them direction. What I do: Every one-on-one starts the same way—with a genuine “How are you doing?” before diving into work. This small act of care fosters trust and sets the tone for a culture of support. 2. Empower Through Context, Not Control Momentum thrives when people feel empowered, not micromanaged. Providing context allows teams to move with confidence and make decisions independently. What I do: During onboarding and team syncs, I take extra time to explain the reasoning behind our goals—not just what we’re doing, but why it matters. The result? A team that thinks critically, acts decisively, and continuously grows. 3. Normalize “I Don’t Know” Leadership… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-india/inside-the-managers-mind-manjunath-sagar/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Inside the manager’s mind : Manjunath Sagar</span></a>

From Day 1 to Day 100 at Mercari: A Journey of Growth and Memories

Aashutosh Agrawal When I first heard that Mercari was coming to our campus, I was excited but also a little nervous. It felt like a huge opportunity — and looking back now, I realize it was one of the best experiences I’ve had so far. The Beginning: Placement Journey The process kicked off with an Online Assessment (OA) consisting of two medium-level DSA questions. It tested not just speed but also our ability to think critically under pressure. After clearing the OA, I had my technical interview with Rajat, where we discussed coding approaches, problem-solving techniques, and a few OS and computer science fundamentals. What stood out was how the conversation was more collaborative than a “grill” session. Next was the managerial round with Atif, where the focus shifted towards understanding my motivations, how I work in teams, and cultural fit. It was refreshing to have an open, honest conversation rather than just technical questions. Finally, I remember the day I received the confirmation letter — a mix of relief, excitement, and pride. It was the start of something new. Day 1: A Warm Welcome The first day at Mercari was truly special. From being welcomed with a thoughtfully curated goodies kit to meeting fellow interns and full-time employees during the onboarding, everything felt smooth and personal. The highlight was the team dinner later in the evening — good food, casual chats, and laughter with people who, until a few hours ago, were complete strangers. January: Settling In, Learning the Foundations, and a Special Cricket Memory January was all about getting familiar with Mercari’s world and setting a strong foundation. We started with our common onboarding sessions — diving into essential tools like GitHub, Confluence, Slack, JIRA, understanding Mercari’s overall architecture, and exploring key repositories. These sessions were packed with… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/uncategorized/from-day-1-to-day-100-at-mercari-a-journey-of-growth-and-memories/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">From Day 1 to Day 100 at Mercari: A Journey of Growth and Memories</span></a>

Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Gaurav Bansal! Gaurav Bansal: As a manager, my constant focus is on solving challenges that my team faces. The key is staying aware of these challenges, acknowledging them, and taking decisive action. Let me share how I approach some common management challenges. Building Cross-Functional Collaboration When my team expanded from client-only developers to include Backend developers, I noticed collaboration gaps emerging. While client developers had strong relationships from working together for a year, the integration with Backend developers needed attention. To address this, we focused on creating a collaborative environment through regular team activities, including recent bowling and dinner events that helped break down barriers and foster natural connections. We’ve made significant strides in fostering technical understanding between teams. Our backend team now regularly shares insights about API performance, which has led to client teams implementing more effective loading states. Similarly, when client teams demonstrate user interactions, it helps backend developers design more intuitive API endpoints. These exchanges have transformed our team’s mindset from “That’s not my job” to “How can I help?” Maintaining Team Motivation Recognition plays a crucial role in keeping the team motivated throughout the development lifecycle. We celebrate joint wins and team contributions, making sure everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Mercari’s employee-centric culture and various club activities provide additional avenues for engagement and motivation.Work-life balance is another cornerstone of our approach. We’ve implemented flexible working hours, understanding that some team members are early birds while others peak later in… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/inside-the-managers-mind-gaurav-bansal/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal</span></a>