Srinagar — the city where I grew up — shaped much of my early worldview. Most of my friends and relatives were employees. My days were spent in the company of people who believed in stability, routine, and security. In fact, they avoided uncertainty. The culture among them favored predictability and measured ambition — a collective comfort in mediocrity.
After finally stepping out of that circle, working alongside businesspeople, I witnessed a different mindset. The one that thrived on risk, vision, and momentum. These individuals weren’t bound by the idea of playing it safe. They took risks, real risks. Calculated, sometimes reckless, but always bold. It was this courage that made them dreamers and doers, not criticizers.
Some of my early bosses, for instance, exemplified this ethic. Their discipline was meticulous. The first thing they did each morning was inspect their offices. They would ensure even cleanliness, was in order before the workday started. It wasn’t just about appearance. It was about setting a tone and order in the workplace.
They were educators in their own right. They made it a point to ensure that their team learned alongside them. Not just how to work, but how to think, how to build, and how to lead.
What set them apart, however, was their business acumen. It wasn’t inherited — it was earned. They learned from those who had walked the path before them. They sought mentors and weren’t afraid to fail. For them, business wasn’t just a source of income. It was a legacy in the making.
Perhaps the most admirable quality was their vision. Not just for their personal success but for the generations that would follow. They were not obsessed with who would benefit or who would get the credit. They believed in building systems, in leaving behind something greater than themselves.
Above all, what they taught me was kindness. Kindness wasn’t just an act—they had internalized it. It was deeply ingrained in their nature, and that’s what set them apart. The influence of a boss can shape you in many ways. It is kindness that truly moves people, especially those who work under you.
It was in that world that I realized the true difference. It was their mindset. Where some saw risk, others saw opportunity. Where some found comfort in the known, others found energy in the unknown.
The first step toward success is breaking free from mediocrity and embracing fearlessness. It begins with a vision—a bold one—and the courage to take risks, even big ones.
Leadership, as I came to learn, starts with fearlessness. It’s about forging your own path, not blindly following the rules set by others. True leaders create their own rules—and that only happens when they dare to break a few along the way.
“Leadership and delegation often come easily when the team is already educated, trained, and prepared to follow. In such cases, the leader’s role becomes less about persuasion and more about direction.”
And what makes difference is actually a shift in the mindset. That is from safety to vision.
Sajad_08phd12@nitsri.ac.in
