Let's know what you liked and learnt!
In this timeless conversation from 2021, Kumar Vembu reflects on how enduring organisations are built—not through control, pedigree, or process-heavy management, but through deep trust in people and an uncompromising belief in ownership. Drawing from his own journey and the early days of Zoho, he explains why academic excellence is a poor proxy for professional excellence, and how responsibility—when given early—can transform individuals into high-performing contributors.
This episode unpacks what it truly means to design for ownership at scale. From trusting people from day one, to creating decision-makers instead of escalators, Kumar shares practical, culture-defining principles that help close the education–work gap and build organisations where people don’t wait for permission—they take responsibility. This is a masterclass on leadership, culture, and long-term thinking.
5 Key Takeaways
Listen to the full episode: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
🔗 Links & Resources:
ContraMinds: https://www.contraminds.com
Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://blog.contraminds.com
🎧 Listen on Podcast Platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xceASphmwAjJONTlsvo2Y
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/contraminds-decoding-people-minds-strategy-and-culture/id1485202972
Follow ContraMinds:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/contraminds
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds