Bengaluru: When a 12-year-old student asked technology czar N R Narayana Murthy, “What should we do to become like you?” the response was both unexpected and deeply inspiring. Murthy, the founder of Infosys, replied: “I do not want you to become like me…I want you to become better than me for the greater good of the nations.”
This exchange took place Tuesday during the Teach for India‘s Leaders Week, where Murthy addressed students of classes 7 and 8 at Mount Everest school, Byatarayanapura.In his hour-long session, he shared five invaluable lessons drawn from his personal experiences.
From humble beginnings: A lesson in discipline
Murthy began by sharing his humble roots. “I went to a govt school just like you, taught by teachers much like yours,” he said. In school, Murthy excelled in science and mathematics, but struggled with history, civics, and geography. His father taught him the importance of managing time through a timetable. This lesson in discipline paid off when he secured fourth rank in the state in his SSLC exam. His father’s insistence on continuous improvement motivated him to excel academically, a habit that shaped his life.
The joy of giving: A lesson from his mother
“The second important lesson I learned in life was from my mother — it’s the joy of giving,” narrated Murthy. In 1961, after securing the fourth rank in the SSLC exams, he received a national scholarship of ₹900, a significant sum at the time. As was customary in their family, Murthy handed the entire amount to his mother, requesting ₹50 to buy a trendy terylene shirt and pants. She agreed, and Murthy proudly bought new clothes. The next morning, however, his mother asked him to give them to his elder brother, who needed them more. Initially upset, Murthy resisted. But that night, after watching a play about Karna, a mythological character, who sacrifices for his family, he was moved. The following day, Murthy handed the clothes to his brother, who later excelled in his career and fondly remembers this act of kindness to date. This experience taught Murthy that true joy lies in sharing and caring for others.
A lesson in citizenship
“In 1961, during my SSLC class, our headmaster, a strict disciplinarian and respected figure, taught us an unforgettable lesson about citizenship,” Murthy recalled. During a chemistry experiment, a classmate laughed, when the headmaster carefully added common salt to the mix, questioning why he was so stingy with something so cheap. The headmaster’s response was profound: “This common salt belongs to everyone in this school, not just me. We must treat it with care, as it is community property.” This lesson in responsibility and respect for communal resources shaped Murthy’s approach to founding and running Infosys.
A lesson in teamwork
During his stint as chief systems programme officer at IIM-Ahmedabad, Murthy was part of a debate over a technical issue when a colleague used inappropriate language. “I felt ashamed and saddened by the incident. Later that evening, our professor invited us to dinner and treated us warmly.” When Murthy asked the prof how he managed to overlook the earlier incident, he replied: “The lesson learned is more important than how it’s communicated.” This insight taught Murthy that in teamwork, it’s essential to separate the person from the lesson they impart. This approach has been invaluable in maintaining strong relationships and focusing on what truly matters: making decisions that benefit the team.
A lesson in leadership and responsibility
Recounting his Paris days, when his team was developing an advanced operating system, Murthy said: “One Friday evening, I made a critical mistake, while testing a programme, which erased the entire memory off the computer. I had 24 hours to fix everything or the project would face severe delays.” He called his boss, Colin, who immediately came to help. After 22 hours, Murthy restored the system. “Colin praised my dedication, but didn’t mention his own sacrifice. He taught me a crucial leadership lesson: take full responsibility for failures and share the glory with your team. These lessons remain invaluable even today,” concluded Murthy.
At the end of the session, a student asked Murthy how he defines success. Smiling at the question, he warmly replied, “Success is when you bring a smile to other people’s faces.”