An unforgettable encounter with Ratan Tata reveals timeless lessons in leadership, work-life balance, and curiosity. Listen to the inspiring conversation that left a lasting impact on personal and professional growth. Shifa Maitra writes…

In this remarkable story, I recount my chance meeting with Ratan Tata during a flight delay, where his humility and wisdom shone through. From discussing the importance of delegation and trust to sharing insights on work-life balance and mental health, Tata's powerful leadership lessons left an indelible mark. His unpretentious nature and genuine curiosity made for a memorable conversation. This experience transformed my perspective on success, work culture, and living with purpose—understanding of why Ratan Tata is admired as one of the most respected business leaders in the world.

A Chance Encounter at the Airport

This was around 16 years ago. I was on an 8 a.m. flight from Bombay to Delhi, and to say I was grumpy was an understatement. We were at the boarding gate when yet another delay was announced, so I went back to my book. Suddenly, there was a flurry of activity, and surrounded by airport and airline officials, Ratan Tata arrived. I overheard the officials saying they could escort him to the lounge due to the 10-minute delay, but he waved them off and said he was fine waiting here. I looked up and smiled—the first sign of how unpretentious he was. He smiled and nodded. Now I couldn’t concentrate on my book.

A Conversation Begins

I remember reading somewhere that if you strike up a conversation with someone you admire and ask questions, you may get answers. They might say no, but it's a chance worth taking. As luck would have it, he looked at me and commented on how rare it was to see someone reading at the airport these days. That was my cue. I asked if I could ask him something, and he was warm and open as he said, “Sure.” I asked him if the delay irritated him, given that he was such a busy man. He laughed and replied that no, he was fine because if he let every little thing bother him, he wouldn’t be able to function. He then asked about the book I was reading—an Amy Tan novel, I remember. He asked my name and what I do. When I told him I was the programming head at Radio Mirchi, Delhi, his interest piqued. Now he started asking me questions! Ratan Tata was all ears, listening intently to me.

An Unexpected Invitation

Since I love radio and was talking animatedly, I was a little disappointed when the flight was announced. Mysteriously, men appeared to escort Mr. Tata to a waiting car, and he asked me to come along. He even held open the door for me, and we continued talking. I tried to wind up the conversation, but he wanted to know more. The airline staff was all attention and gracious when we entered the plane, and I mustered all my courage to say it was wonderful talking to him but that I now had to move ahead to my seat in economy class. He looked at the air hostess and asked if I could sit with him in business class. She smiled and said, “Of course.” It was the first time I flew in the hallowed section of the plane. I couldn’t believe my luck! We kept talking, and I realized that curiosity and asking questions about something new came naturally to him. At one point, while I was explaining P1 listeners, he very matter-of-factly said I should always hold onto my zest for enjoying the work I do, no matter the role or designation. That is the key to excelling, he added—do good because you like to, not because of the position you hold.

Wisdom That Stayed with Me

That moment still pops into my head when I feel demotivated. We then spoke about his work and life. He shared some gems that I will never forget, about always trusting your team and delegating. He said very rarely will they let you down when they feel heard, and everyone takes ownership when trusted. How true that is. He also told me how he takes Sundays off, no matter what. I looked at him in disbelief. We work in a culture where working weekends and staying up all night for a presentation is a given. He explained how that’s the surest way of building resentment and that a day to recharge has to be non-negotiable. Spending time in nature at least once a week, he said, should be a must-do for me.

A Lesson in Balance

He patiently explained that we tend to give too much importance to our work. If you are a firefighter, doctor, or police officer, you need to be on call at any time—but not in any other profession. Coming from a man I’ve always admired, that hit home. It actually changed my perspective. Today, when people talk about mental health and work-life balance, I recall that this man was living it even then. Soon, too soon, we arrived in Delhi. Before I could thank him, he thanked me and said it was wonderful talking to me.

A Memorable Farewell

Before long, he was signing autographs for other passengers and was gone, escorted by officious-looking men. I couldn’t get that silly grin off my face! I consider myself really fortunate to have spent over two hours talking to this genius. He shared his wisdom so willingly and effortlessly, without ever talking down to me. He didn’t have to, but he did.