Manager admits mistakes: Why this IIT, ISB-educated boss lost his three best employees and what he learnt

IIT Roorkee and the Indian School of Business, has gone viral on social media after sharing candid insights into his early struggles as a manager, admitting that his leadership mistakes led to the departure of three team members.

In his post, Maheshwari said that neither his engineering education nor his management training prepared him for handling people. He wrote that his first managerial role became a learning experience shaped by failure, recalling how three “good people” left his team during the early phase of his career.

The 34-year-old said the exits were not due to a lack of care or harsh behaviour, but because he unknowingly adopted ineffective management practices. He explained that he often misinterpreted workplace dynamics, including assuming that recognition did not need to be expressed verbally.

He shared that assigning more work to a high-performing employee was meant as a sign of trust, but was perceived as being taken for granted. He said he failed to acknowledge her contributions openly, which ultimately led to her departure.

Maheshwari also reflected on how he responded to disagreement within his team. He said he became defensive when a team member challenged him in a meeting and gradually excluded that individual from key discussions. He later realised that the disagreement reflected engagement rather than conflict, and said he now encourages differing opinions.

In another instance, he recounted how delaying a decision on an employee’s request to move into a different role led to her exit. He said repeatedly responding with “let’s see” created uncertainty, prompting the employee to seek clarity elsewhere. He added that he now provides clear decisions within a fixed timeframe, even if the answer is negative.

Describing these experiences as formative, Maheshwari said early years in management often involve mistakes due to the absence of guidance on handling interpersonal aspects of leadership. He said that while institutions like IIT and ISB equip individuals with technical and strategic skills, they do not teach how to make people feel valued.

His reflections drew responses from social media users, many of whom praised his self-awareness and willingness to learn. Users described his post as insightful and acknowledged the importance of introspection in leadership growth.

According to his Instagram bio, Maheshwari shares career advice and professional insights. He completed his undergraduate studies at IIT Roorkee before pursuing higher education at the Indian School of Business.