🌿 The Leadership Lesson I Understood Years Later

 

🌿 The Leadership Lesson I Understood Years Later

I had just taken charge as a Branch In-Charge — new, eager, a little anxious.
One afternoon, an elderly gentleman walked in.
He introduced himself as a long-retired employee, sat for a while, and as he got up to leave, offered me a simple line of advice:

“To be successful, always stay in touch with your old colleagues — especially those who’ve left the organisation.”

I smiled politely, not quite understanding what he meant.
He added,

“They see the organisation both as insiders and outsiders. With no stakes, no agendas — their insights will help you see clearly.”

At that time, it sounded abstract.
But as years passed and responsibilities grew, his words began to ring true.

Inside any organisation, conversations often tilt towards the positive — not out of intent, but comfort.
But those who’ve stepped out view things with a rare objectivity.
They notice shifts in customer behaviour, market sentiment, and internal culture — the kind of truths dashboards never reveal.

I’ve seen remarkable leaders make this a part of their leadership rhythm:
✅ Keeping an open door not just for current teams, but also alumni and retirees.
✅ Hosting Founder’s Day or reunion events that bridge generations.
✅ Holding occasional “listening calls” with former colleagues for unfiltered perspective.
✅ Including those who laid the foundation in moments of celebration — much like Harmanpreet Kaur inviting Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami to join the Women’s World Cup celebrations.

These are not sentimental gestures. They are smart leadership practices.
They preserve institutional memory, deepen humility, and remind leaders that wisdom doesn’t retire .

So, next time you face a tough decision or celebrate a win —
reach out to someone who once shared your journey.
You might rediscover a truth you’ve stopped noticing.

#Leadership  #LearningFromExperience #OrganisationalWisdom #LeadershipLessons #AshwaniSpeak #AshwaniThink #AshwaniNexus