On humility

“Let no pride inflate you, for one day you’ll lie beneath the ground while grass grows above.” These words by Bhagat Kabir Ji a 15th-century saint echo in my mind whenever I think about humility in leadership.

In the tech world of big titles and bigger egos, true leadership still boils down to humility. No matter how advanced my skills or how smart my AI toolkit, without humility one will eventually hit a wall.

I’ve worked across four countries, and one universal truth stands out: teams thrive under leaders who listen, not just those who command. Humble leadership isn’t about thinking less of yourself; it’s about thinking of yourself less.

Some ways humility shows up in practice:

1. Listen First: The best ideas often come from the quietest voices in the room. Make space for them. This has been the toughest one for me, since I have habit of just interrupting others, that said truthfully the best ideas have always come form cross functional members of the team.

2. Share Credit: Success is a team sport. Celebrate your team’s wins, loudly and publicly. This is what I am working on these days.

3. Own Mistakes: When things go wrong (and they do), take responsibility. It builds trust.Kabir ji’s wisdom reminds us that pride is fleeting.

What lasts is the impact we have on others. As leaders, our legacy is not only in the products we build but in how we uplift the people who build them.