From Training Me to Trusting Me: The Full Circle of Leadership.
Before I jumped into the ocean of the unknown, my entrepreneur journey, I worked for a multinational company as a Network Administrator, Managing Singapore and a few other countries under the leadership of Sohail Hanif (the best boss/manager I ever had). I still remember the day I walked into Suntec City Tower 2 for the interview for one of the tech companies, which was about to go public, for one of the platforms.
Sohail Hanif took my interview. This was in 2000, the millennium year, and that was my last interview. I am going to celebrate 25 years without an interview. The sound of that seems nice. I must have done well for myself, haha.
Well, I was impressed by Hanif’s personality on that day of the interview; he made me feel comfortable, was straight to the point, and, based on his gut, offered me a job. I must have impressed him, or, if it was a dire situation of getting a network engineer, I’ll take it. I must have impressed him (it feels better that way, after all, that was supposed to be my last interview ever).
Over the course of my job under him, I started getting fond of him for his nature and the way he managed the whole team. Everyone loved him. I learnt so many management lessons from him without ever noticing, as he was a very hardworking individual, way more than anyone around. While still being available for us. What I learnt from Sohail Hanif
Absorb Leadership Silently
You don’t need permission to learn. Observe your boss. How they handle failure. How they fight for you. How they distribute credit and absorb blame.
Become That Person When No One’s Watching
Leadership isn’t a title. It’s your instinct when chaos hits. During the early days of my company, I asked: What would Sohail do? That question guided me more than any manual ever did.
But when I left to start my company (Story in Hustle Memo #001 and #002), I left that leadership behind. For years, I missed it—the clarity, the protection, the fire—until one day, years later, he visited my home.
We talked about everything: my time under him, the wild ride of entrepreneurship, and the small wins that kept me going. That dinner, I think I impressed him again—this time with my journey.
This went into few discussion over the next few months and before we knew Sohail Hanif joined us as a partner for one of our companies. His experience and connections were a catalyst. We became a Microsoft Gold Partner, landed overseas investment, and started playing in a bigger league. His trust unlocked doors I couldn’t open alone.
Here’s what I learned from the experience:
- Prove It Without Expecting a Return
Years later, when Sohail came over for dinner, I wasn’t pitching him. I was sharing my journey—the raw ups and downs. There was no mask, no selling, but authenticity sold itself.
- Let the Circle Complete Itself
When he joined us as a partner, magic happened. His trust unlocked opportunities we couldn’t dream of alone. We became Microsoft Gold Partners, closed overseas investments, and started playing at a different level.
- 🔁 Real Stories. Real Hope.
When we onboard leaders who once mentored us, we don’t just hire talent—we bring in legacy. Multiple founders grew faster when they reconnected with people who believed in them earlier. You build faster with people who’ve already seen your roots.
- 📚 The Research
Harvard Business Review cites “transformational mentorship” as one of the leading accelerators for second-stage entrepreneurs. The difference? These mentors know your foundation. They don’t need a pitch deck to believe in your next move.
💬 Final Words
We spend years chasing investors, co-founders, and growth. But sometimes, the person who believed in you before you believed in yourself is already the best partner you’ll ever find.
