IIT Alumnus Shares Lessons on Leadership After Losing Talented Employees
IITian exec recalls situations when ‘good’ employees quit because of him: ‘Nobody teaches you how to be a manager’
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Siddharth Maheshwari, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and the Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad, candidly discusses his early management failures that led to the departure of three skilled team members. He emphasizes the importance of recognition, open communication, and providing clear answers in effective leadership.
- 01Recognition should be explicit; silence is not acknowledgment.
- 02Defensive behavior can alienate team members who care.
- 03Ambiguous responses can lead to employee turnover.
- 04Leadership skills are often learned through mistakes.
- 05Effective management involves making team members feel valued.
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Siddharth Maheshwari, a 34-year-old IIT Roorkee and ISB Hyderabad alumnus, has gained attention for his honest reflections on the challenges of leadership. In a viral Instagram post, he shared how his management style led to the resignation of three talented employees early in his career. Maheshwari explained that he mistook silence for recognition and defensive behavior for authority, highlighting the lack of formal training in people management at prestigious institutions. He learned that recognition must be verbalized, disagreements indicate employee engagement, and vague responses can push talent away. His experiences underscore that the first years in management are often filled with mistakes, which can serve as valuable lessons for future leadership. Maheshwari's insights have resonated with many on social media, with users praising his self-reflection and growth as a leader.
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