“Mai chota aadmi hu”
I have a personal story to share – and it’s been 7 years since this photo, but I couldn’t think of a more opportune time.
We all saw Rohit lead our team to lift the World Cup. But what I find worth a deeper discussion is his leadership style and the human behind the captain.
I, at Milagro Universe, had the opportunity of hosting Rohit and Ritika for a few hours to help them with their new (at the time) home in Mumbai.
We are used to seeing customers dress up fancy, so Rohit’s tee and shorts took me by surprise. What absolutely shocked me was how he didn’t take himself seriously at all.
“Arre yeh sab bade bade shower ka paisa nahi hai re mere paas, mai chota aadmi hu”
“Arre bhai kuch sasta waala dikha apne ko bass nahaane ka hai”
“Arre sab baal udd gaye yaar isliye topi pehenta hu”
The craziest of them all was 6 months later, when he said, “Bhai mai Lords mein hu, gharpe shower chal nahi raha hai, Maa kasam out ho jaunga please theek kar de”
In an industry where tolerating arrogance is a basic requirement – I couldn’t believe I was dealing with the man who I pray for on TV.
A few friends of mine lined up outside the studio to get some bats signed, and he was kind enough to oblige, even 3 hours down the line.
My point is, that this new style of leadership is very refreshing. When the captain of the world cup winning team speaks like an ordinary Mumbai kid who plays cricket, it makes the whole unit feel at ease, and gives them license to be themselves, without any presence or qualms.
Leadership doesn’t demand specific qualities that everyone must imbibe, it demands genuineness, comfort, and transparency. You can look at Rohit on TV or in person and imagine what kind of a father, husband, or friend he’d be. And I think, that’s what stands out for me.
I hope to see him soon for his next house, so I can tell him how I cried when he went for that swing and got caught by Cummins, and how I cried again while he lay on the ground after winning the world cup.