In my journey through aviation, sailing, and entrepreneurship, I've studied various frameworks of authority. In my MBA, I explored 12 different types of leadership, but the one I personally follow and advocate for is Servant Leadership.
Many young founders mistakenly believe a "CEO" title is a license to be arrogant or rude. They suffer from a "god complex" that is shallow and short-lived. Real leadership, the kind exhibited by figures like Ratan Tata, is about the discipline of care.
The Commanding Officer's Secret
I've spent time observing the defense forces—the Air Force and the Navy—up close. In those organizations, leadership means taking absolute responsibility for your troops.
There is a specific level of detail a great commanding officer maintains. They don't just know their soldier's rank; they know the wedding anniversary of every person they lead. They take their "men's" personal problems and make them their own because they understand that a soldier cannot give their best if their home life is in chaos.
Responsibility means you must spend time to learn and know about the people you are leading so you can lead them better.
Souls on Board — Beyond the Office
In a cockpit, we don't just see passengers; we see "souls on board". As the Pilot in Command (PIC), you are accepting responsibility for the lives of 150 souls every time you take off.
As a founder, you must apply the same gravity to your team:
- If you have 10 employees, you are responsible for 10 families.
- When you hire an intern, you are taking responsibility for a living, breathing human being with a career goal, not just a "resource" to fill a budget gap.
- At I Crew, we follow the 888 Rule—8 hours of work, 8 hours of life, and 8 hours of sleep—because we believe life extends beyond the laptop.
Removing the Suit
I often perform experiments to stay grounded. I strip away the "Pilot" wings and the "CEO" title and try to be just a man. I've walked from the airport and talked to auto drivers who had no clue who I was. Engaging with them as a human being, rather than as a "boss," confirms that great deals and great relationships are built on humanity, not ego.
If you are nothing without your "suit" or your title, then you shouldn't have the suit in the first place.
Leadership is not a tool for self-glorification. It is a weight on your shoulders, much like the stripes on a pilot's uniform. Be a good human being first. Know your team's stories, their struggles, and yes, their wedding anniversaries. When the "CEO" title eventually goes away, your humanity is the only thing that will keep people by your side through all seasons of life.
Fin.
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