“I still, sometimes, clean washrooms as a role modeling exercise,” he said. His message was clear: leadership is not about titles but about setting standards through action.
Humility Over Hierarchy
Agarwal stressed the importance of shedding pride, fear, and arrogance to succeed in business.
“As an entrepreneur on day one, you have to leave fear, embarrassment, pride, arrogance—everything—outside the room and enter, because these are the biggest enemies of entrepreneurial success,” he stated.
At 29, the billionaire founder of Oyo, which operates over a million rooms across 80 countries, believes that traditional upbringing often discourages people from embracing every task, no matter how small. He argued that real success comes from prioritising impact over pride.
A Lesson for Entrepreneurs
Reflecting on mindset shifts essential for success, Agarwal said: “You have to leave ‘sharam’ (embarrassment) and ‘ye kaam mera hai ye kaam dusre ka hai’ (this is my work, and that is yours). Are you looking to pride-seeking or are you looking to be wealth-seeking? I am very clear that I want to create a big impact.”He was responding to a question on overcoming the fear of failure, encouraging young entrepreneurs to embrace resilience and adaptability.
A Personal Moment at Mahakumbh Mela
Beyond business, Agarwal recently shared a deeply personal experience from his visit to the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Taking to social media, he posted a video of himself on a boat ride with his young son, Ary, reminiscing about his first visit over two decades ago.
“Standing at Mahakumbh with Ary for the first time, I was overwhelmed by a flood of memories from my own first visit. I remember feeling so small, yet part of something so much bigger. Today, I stood beside him, hoping he finds his own answers, his own faith, and his own path. This isn’t just a tradition; it’s a legacy. A legacy of belief, hope, and the courage to dream,” he wrote.
His reflections underscored the significance of heritage, faith, and continuity, drawing parallels with his own journey as an entrepreneur.
Agarwal’s leadership philosophy—whether in business or in life—remains rooted in humility, learning, and impact.
