As part of MMA’s “Read & Grow” series, speakers shared leadership insights from The Greatness Guide 2, blending Robin Sharma’s wisdom with personal stories on courage, gratitude, and growth.
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh
Business & Leadership Coach, Speaker & Author Independent Director on Corporate Boards
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh: I’m going to share the top 25 points that truly stood out for me—especially from a leadership perspective. These insights can help you become a better leader. Some of them are powerful statements made by the author Robin Sharma, and I’ve spiced them up with real-life examples from my own experience.
Let’s start with the first one: Did you know there will never be a better version of you than you? Robin Sharma says there’s no better time than today to be your best self. The second point is that leadership is not a role—it’s a way of being. Sharma urges us to hold ourselves to world-class standards, take personal responsibility, build meaningful relationships, and elevate others. That’s true leadership.
The third insight is something I completely relate to: Every person you meet knows at least one thing more than you. So don’t leave without learning it. Just last week, I met a client visiting Chennai who runs a speaker bureau. It was supposed to be a casual coffee chat, but he ended up giving me some fantastic ideas on how to facilitate my leadership workshops. That’s why I believe—every interaction is an opportunity to learn.
The fourth idea is that tomorrow is incredible—but not everyone gets one. That hit me hard because just last month, I unexpectedly lost a close friend—a CA classmate. It was shocking and deeply saddening. It reminded me that every new day we get is a blessing. So make your tomorrow count.
The fifth point is about your thoughts. What you think about and focus on is what you grow. So instead of complaining, start counting your blessings. Channel your energy towards growth, and see how beautifully life can unfold.
Speak Up
The sixth principle is that leadership reveals itself in moments of challenge. I once coached a head of finance in a large corporation—a brilliant, technically sound professional. The company was considering a major investment that most people supported, but he had his reservations. However, he lacked the courage to speak up. We addressed this in our coaching conversations. In the next board meeting, he calmly but firmly expressed that while the investment looked attractive, the risks were too high. Months later, that segment of the market crashed. His refusal to approve the deal saved the company millions. Today, he’s been promoted as CFO. That’s the kind of leadership that shines under pressure.
The seventh insight is about the power of questions. I once coached a leader who was incredibly rigid—stuck in his ways. But one question changed everything for him: “What would you like people to say about you after you leave this organisation?” That led to a deep realisation that he needed to change his behaviour—to be kinder and more empathetic.
The eighth point asks: What would it take for you to become a “cool brag”—someone others admire and say “wow” about? I talk about the 3W formula: Woo your customers with irresistible offers. Wow them with exceptional experience. Win them over for the long term so you don’t have to keep chasing new clients.
Practise Great Habits
The ninth point—simple but profound—you become what you think about. So pause and ask yourself: What’s occupying your mind today? The tenth asks: What separates the best from the rest? The answer—habits. What are the habits you’re cultivating every day? And do you have the discipline to stick with them?
The eleventh point is about choices—starting with the words we use. Leaders choose their words thoughtfully. Can you deliver even unpleasant messages with tact and kindness? Can you provide feedback in a way that builds, not breaks?
The twelfth point offers a daily prompt: What’s one thing I could do today that would take both my personal and professional life to the next level of greatness? Think about it.
The thirteenth is about your circle. Invite into your personal and professional life those who uplift and inspire you. Who are you surrounded by? Are they helping you grow?
The fourteenth highlights that the quality of your life is directly linked to the quality of your relationships. Sharma outlines some first principles for nurturing them: Be the first to say hello. Smile often. Use people’s names—they love hearing them. Make eye contact. Become a world-class listener. Offer sincere compliments. And treat everyone with royal courtesy. Appreciation makes everyone feel seen—and it’s contagious.
The fifteenth point says leadership is about believing in yourself—and in others—even when no one else does. That’s the foundation of trust and empowerment.
The sixteenth tells us that the best practice is simple: practice. You can’t improve without it. Practice your art, your craft, your leadership—every single day.
Say No to Excuses
The seventeenth hits home: No great life was built on a foundation of excuses. I once coached a managing director who had a direct report constantly making excuses—even for simple tasks. It got to the point where the MD couldn’t take it anymore. Eventually, the person was let go. Excuses don’t take us forward. Accountability does.
The eighteenth point reinforces that leadership is rooted in relationships—connect with the people you work with, live with, and even strangers you meet. Leadership is as much about connection as it is about direction.
The nineteenth emphasises that we always have a choice. We can choose between right and wrong, kindness and harshness, truth and convenience. Let your values lead your decisions.
Listening isn’t about obedience. It’s about truly paying
attention.
The twentieth point reminds us that great leaders communicate their vision, coach their people, and empower their teams. When your team feels empowered, they take ownership—and results follow. So, how are you empowering your people?
Listening is not Obeying
The twenty-first is a favourite of mine—listening shows respect. I once spoke to a corporate leadership team about the importance of listening. Afterward, the MD told his team, “That’s why I keep telling you all to listen to me!” It made me smile—but it also highlighted a misunderstanding. Listening isn’t about obedience. It’s about truly paying attention. It’s about creating space for others to express themselves, and for you to understand what’s being said. Here’s how to become a better listener: Pay attention. Ask open-ended questions. Clarify meaning. Be non-judgmental. Reflect the speaker’s emotions. And finally, paraphrase and summarise. These six steps go a long way in building trust and rapport.
These are not just principles—they are practices. They
are reflections of the leader you already are—and the
one you’re capable of becoming.
The twenty-second point is a gem. Sharma says the real competition isn’t for a share of wallet—it’s for a share of the customer’s heart. Win that, and the wallet will follow. The twenty-third is that what separates leaders from followers is the courage to speak openly, honestly, and fearlessly. Leadership demands authenticity.
Leadership Begins at Home
The twenty-fourth is deeply personal. The fruit never falls far from the tree. Your children will become more like you than you may imagine. Remember, leadership begins at home. What are you teaching your children—through your words, your actions, your priorities?
And finally, the twenty-fifth: What body of work will you leave behind so that generations to come know you were here? This is about legacy. Greatness is not just about success; it’s about creating something that is bigger than you and that outlasts you.
These are not just principles—they are practices. They are reflections of the leader you already are—and the one you’re capable of becoming.
Ms Ayushi Srivastava
Chief Manager – Human Resource, TVS Credit Services Ltd
Ayushi Srivastava: The author’s suggestion to stop and pause—to truly live every moment, breathe in the spring air, and notice people at grocery stores and coffee shops, simply looking for inspiration everywhere—was truly remarkable. It made me pause and reflect: Am I really living my life to the fullest? Am I paying attention to the world around me? Because the truth is, inspiration is all around us, waiting to be noticed.
Mr V Ravi Prasad
Managing Director, Verder India Pumps P Ltd
Ravi Prasad: I really liked what the author says about listening—it’s so important. Many times, we don’t even truly hear what others are saying. But genuine listening sparks interest in others; it makes them feel valued. Another point that resonated with me was the idea of having a lust for growth. I did my XLRI program at the age of 52 because I knew I needed to keep growing. If you’re not learning, you’re becoming outdated.
Listen to Your Inner Voice
Ayushi Srivastava: There was a line that really stayed with me—“Greatness comes from mastery around fundamentals.” It took me back to my childhood. I always felt the need to be better than my elder brother or the people around me, largely because of the constant comparisons my parents made. Like most parents, they just wanted each child to succeed and excel. But that perspective, unfortunately, never really changed as I moved through my studies and later into my career.
Over time, it started taking a toll—both mentally and physically. I found myself disillusioned, questioning what I was actually working for. There was so much pressure, a lot of darkness, and at one point, I felt like I had lost the zest for life altogether.
Thankfully, along the way, I met some truly kind and grounded people who helped me see things differently. They reminded me that life is about the simple things—our habits and our thoughts. Habits that feed the mind and body, thoughts rooted in progression and gratitude. We must learn to listen—not just to others, but also to ourselves. Listen to your body. Listen to your mind. Listen to your inner voice. That’s where clarity begins.
The book also emphasises that everyone can be a leader. That’s what we call an entrepreneurial mindset. Excellence isn’t about grand achievements—it’s about mastering the small, basic things. It’s about showing up every day and doing your thing with consistency.
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh: The author talks about taking charge quickly. In your career, have you experienced this?
Ravi Prasad: Back in my school days, I was a fast bowler. I’ve always thought of direction as the wallet and speed as the currency—because without currency, the wallet is empty. That analogy has stayed with me. When I joined my current company six months ago, I didn’t wait for someone to give me instructions. I took initiative, identified the gaps, did a quick gap analysis, and immediately started working to bridge those gaps.
Last week, while I was in Europe, my CEO told me, “Just calm down.” We’re a European-based company. For me, coming from a sales background, speed is second nature. I believe in the acronym NOW, which for me stands for Number Only Works.
The Power of Gratitude
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh: The book talks about the importance of gratitude, and I like to call it GGG—Get Great at Gratitude. And what has been the impact of practicing gratitude?
Ayushi Srivastava: Life throws a lot of curveballs at us, and we have to play with the cards we’re given. Practicing gratitude isn’t always easy—it’s actually quite difficult when you’re going through tough times. But I believe acceptance is the thread that ties gratitude together. Once you begin to accept your life and the challenges that come your way, you start to see more choices open up. You begin to take accountability and responsibility for your path.
Acceptance has really helped me clear the mental fog and move forward—towards excellence, towards becoming the best version of myself. It’s so important to pause and reflect, especially when something is bothering you. This is something that has personally worked for me: if something hurts, allow yourself to feel it—cry if you need to—but don’t stay in that moment. Let it out, then let it go. Life will continue to be challenging, no doubt. But gratitude, when practised with acceptance, has been a powerful anchor for me.
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh: A line that in the book says, ‘The only way to truly get power is to give it away.’
Ravi Prasad: We need to empower people—that’s the essence of leadership. In every review meeting I conduct, I make sure to include R&R: Rewards and Recognition. People need to feel valued, and appreciated. As a leader, what truly matters is not what people say in your presence, but what they say about you when you’re not in the room. Jack Welch once said: “When you become a leader, your role is not to create more followers, but to create more leaders.”
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh: Many leaders hesitate to give away authority and power. It’s something that sounds easy in theory, but in reality, putting it into practice is quite tough. How can one effectively practice this?
Ravi Prasad: Yes, I meet several customers, and whenever we present a proposal, we always include something called TNC—Terms and Conditions. But I like to take that a step further. I tell every customer, initially it’s TNC as in Terms and Conditions. But the moment the order is confirmed, TNC takes on a new meaning—Trust and Commitment. When you have confidence in your people, when you trust your team members and stay committed to them, that’s when real results happen.
Making Excuses
Ayushi Srivastava: Let me share my thoughts on making excuses. During my time at XIM Bhubaneswar, where I pursued my MBA, there were several campus placement drives happening. I couldn’t even get through the group discussion round initially. I was anxious, scared, and filled with self-doubt. But then I had a moment of clarity—I told myself, I have nothing to lose. Enough of the excuses.
What followed truly surprised me. I not only cleared the group discussion round, but also did exceptionally well in the interviews. That’s when my corporate journey really began.
Since then, I’ve faced many challenges—my first board meeting, my first interaction with general managers, switching jobs, relocating to a new city, adjusting to a new family environment, and so on. Each time, I found myself standing at the crossroads of fear and courage. And the fundamental lesson I’ve learned through all these experiences is this: if you can move past your excuses, that’s where greatness truly begins.
Sangeeta Shankaran Sumesh: What are your leadership lessons from your home?
Ravi Prasad: I strongly believe that leadership starts at home. I try to nurture my children by exposing them to inspirational old Tamil film songs that carry powerful messages. One of the lessons from a song is that making a mistake is okay, but wilfully repeating it is not. These songs often convey timeless values, and I believe they shape character from a young age.
Second—in professional life, I believe it’s important to stand out. Be different from the crowd. Sometimes, going in the opposite direction is what leads to breakthroughs. When I first started selling products, I faced rejection from every angle. Nothing seemed to work. Then I changed my approach—I went perpendicular. Instead of selling just a product, I began offering a complete system. That shift in mindset helped me unlock significant business opportunities. It’s about seeing things differently—and acting on it.
Ayushi Srivastava: The best example I can cite from my own life is my husband. He’s the Chief Manager at a consumer durables company, and I’ve always admired how focused, diligent, and committed he is to his work. I’ve learned a lot from observing him, especially the simple but powerful idea of doing your karma—putting in your efforts without being obsessed over the outcomes.
Success is merely a consequence of consistent, sincere effort. Work as if it’s your religion. Keep things simple, stay grounded, and focus on the fundamentals. That mindset, I’ve realised, can make a real difference—not just in personal growth, but also in organisational performance and business outcomes. That has been one of my most valuable learnings.
