Mother knows best

From finding practically anything to knowing when to step in, mothers have an intuitive ability about their children — offering the right words at the right time. And it’s not only the grand gestures that count. Sometimes it’s her simple counsel that leaves a lifelong impact.

Top leaders share with ET Panache a piece of advice that their mothers gave them — and how it helped shape them as professionals.

Vinay Dube, CEO, Akasa Air

My mother’s advice was simple but powerful: ‘Try your hardest.’ Over the years, this has guided me through every role I have held. Trying your hardest means showing up with honesty, staying positive even in turbulence, collaborating wholeheartedly and having empathy to understand other perspectives. It means doing the right thing, not just for business, but for people and the planet. That one piece of motherly wisdom has become the foundation for how I live my life, how I lead and how we [Akasa Air] fly.

Amit Damani, founder, Stayvista

‘Look up to the sky when you wake up and down at earth before you sleep.’ This is my mother’s way of telling me to wake up with high aspirations, and to always be thankful for how far I’ve come at the end of the day. An entrepreneur’s journey is full of ups and downs and this advice reminds me that while I must work relentlessly towards my goals, it is essential that I stay grounded and grateful through the process.

Abhijit Joshi, founding and managing partner, Veritas Legal

My mother just turned 90 and there are multiple lessons that I have learnt from her over the years. However, she has also given me one professional lesson. When I returned dejected after some negotiation, she suggested that I not react immediately. ‘Can you take a break, think a bit and come back?’ she asked. This has gone a long way in helping me maintain my poise during negotiations and generally, in many aspects of life.

Radha Dhir, CEO, JLL India

‘Always do better than yourself.’ The quiet wisdom that my mother passed on — to measure success not by others’ standards, but by my own growth. She never pushed me to compare myself to others. Instead, she taught me that true success lies in striving to outgrow the person I was yesterday. This has been my compass through every stage of life. [And] As a leader, it reminds me to foster a culture of growth over competition.

Ipsita Dasgupta, MD, India market, HP

Being a human rights lawyer and advocate, my mother — Kumkum Mookerjee Dasgupta — taught us to have purpose outside of ourselves, the courage to stand up for what is right and to defy social norms and societal expectations when they were discriminatory or harmful to others. I’ve spent my career tying what I do to a greater purpose, and it is inherent to my leadership style. Courage is the ingredient that separates great leaders from good ones.

Balbir Singh Dhillon, head, Audi India

My mother would say, ‘Integrity is doing the right thing even when it’s the harder path’. I’ve kept that lesson in mind and use it to make all decisions, both personally and professionally.

Rahul Garg, founder, Moglix

Integrity and hard work — these are the two non-negotiables that have shaped my journey as an entrepreneur, and I owe both to my mother. From a very young age, I saw her lead by example. For her, integrity isn’t just a value; it’s the lens through which every decision must be made. It means doing what’s right, even when no one is watching — especially when no one is watching. And hard work, in her eyes, was the only true currency of achievement. She never believed in shortcuts, only in consistent effort, day after day, regardless of obstacles or outcomes. That lesson stayed with me. In moments of doubt or difficulty, I return to her wisdom: Never compromise your values and never shy away from putting in the work.

Romita Mazumdar, founder, Foxtale

A piece of advice my mother gave me that has never left me: ‘Keep your head down and keep working.’ Ego brings no real joy and easy success offers no true fulfilment. She repeated it so often that it became a part of me. Over time, hard work stopped feeling like a chore. I stopped chasing shortcuts or approval from others and started anchoring myself in work. In that, I found not just purpose but also a long-lasting, deep joy.

Ranna Gill, designer

I’ve had the privilege of working with my mother, so there’s been a wealth of advice and guidance. But one piece that has truly stayed with me is a quote from the Bhagavad Gita : ‘ Karam kar, phal ki chinta mat kar. ’ The essence of this is you must continue to work hard without worrying about the outcome. This line has been a constant source of strength .