I’ve had the opportunity to work with many seniors, leaders and subject matter experts. One thing that truly stays with you is how they treat you and how they introduce you in front of others. And the truth is – this reflects nothing about you, but speaks volumes about them.
There are many settings where there isn’t enough time for every team member to introduce themselves or talk about their individual contributions. But believe me, those are the moments when a true leader sets an example.
I would even go so far as to say that a true leader always makes it about their team when the spotlight is on. And honestly, it is less about the spotlight and more about trusting your team. This kind of trust motivates people in a way no reward ever can.
The opposite is also true – while a lack of recognition may not completely demotivate someone, it does make a leader lose trust and credibility. And rebuilding that is far harder than simply giving credit where it’s due.
I still remember a day when my senior asked me and my colleagues to move away from the demo table because dignitaries were about to arrive. Shocked, we stepped aside. When the management entered, the top-most leader – someone I had worked with in the past – noticed me instantly. We exchanged greetings from afar, and later, that same leader walked up to me personally to ask about my current role and whereabouts in the organisation.
That moment said everything.
Another incident that reinforced this belief for me happened during a senior-level meeting. I accompanied a senior of mine to meet another leader. We were three people in the room. When introductions began, both gentlemen introduced themselves, and they were about to jump into the agenda. To my surprise, the leader on the opposite side paused the conversation, turned to my boss, and said, “Let her introduce herself as well.”
You may still work for your boss after such moments – but will you truly follow them? Probably not.
In both of above experiences, I didn’t lose anything but I learned a lesson for a lifetime about the kind of leader I want to become as I grow up the ladder.
I share all of this from experience – observations built over two decades across organizations, cultures, and domains, starting from my journey as a Graduate Engineering Trainee to where I stand today. Across all these years, one pattern has remained 100% consistent:
Humility is the biggest virtue of a leader.
A humble leader lifts others up, trusts their team, acknowledges them even in the busiest moments, and never forgets that success is always a collective effort.