Podcasts

From a small-town boy in Pathankot who felt the sting of limited opportunity, to building a billion-dollar education company serving 4 million students – Sumeet Mehta’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. In this conversation, the Lead Group co-founder opens up about his father’s dinner-table lessons, the “deer in headlights” moments at IIM Ahmedabad, the career-defining feedback that changed everything, and why he walked away from a cushy Singapore life to start a school with just 14 students.

Sumeet shares the unconventional philosophy that guided Lead’s growth – “Saraswati before Lakshmi” – and why he believes systems drive behavior, not training. He reflects on the mistakes made during COVID valuations, the tough calls on letting go of misaligned leaders, and what it truly means to build an organization that outlasts its founders. Whether you’re a startup founder, educator, or anyone navigating the tension between ambition and impact, this episode delivers hard-won wisdom on listening to your heart.