OYO founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal recently revealed that he continues to clean washrooms in his hotels as a way to lead by example and instill humility among his team. Speaking at the Mumbai Tech Week on March 1, Agarwal emphasised the importance of shedding pride and embracing every task, regardless of hierarchy, as a cornerstone of entrepreneurial success.
Agarwal shared that cleaning washrooms is part of his role-modeling exercise to inspire his team. "As an entrepreneur on day one, you have to leave fear, embarrassment, pride, arrogance, everything outside the room and enter. These are the biggest enemies of entrepreneurial success," he said.
He further highlighted that traditional upbringing often discourages people from embracing tasks perceived as "menial." However, he believes that true leadership comes from prioritising impact over pride, adding, "Are you looking to be pride-seeking or wealth-seeking? I am very clear that I want to create a big impact."
Agarwal recalled his early days building OYO, where he took on various roles from managing the front desk to housekeeping and customer service. These experiences taught him the value of staying grounded and maintaining an on-ground perspective to meet customer expectations.
In addition to his leadership philosophy, Agarwal has spearheaded initiatives like the Spotless Stay Program, which focuses on improving hygiene standards across OYO properties. As part of this program, he has actively participated in hotel audits to ensure cleanliness and customer satisfaction.
Founded in 2013, OYO has grown into a global hospitality giant with over 1 million rooms across 80 countries. Despite his success, Agarwal remains committed to staying connected with the operational roots of his business. His hands-on approach reflects his belief in leading by example and fostering a culture of humility and hard work.
When asked about his advice for budding entrepreneurs, Agarwal stressed the importance of shedding ego and embracing every task with equal enthusiasm. "You have to leave ‘sharam’ and ‘ye kaam mera hai ye kaam dusre ka hai’ (this is my work, and that is someone else’s). Success comes from being willing to do whatever it takes," he said.