True leadership is not about titles or ego, it is about humility, curiosity, consistency, and building people up while driving performance at the highest level.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Rishan Barat, General Manager at Microsoft US Mid-Market, blends humanity and excellence in one of the most competitive environments in the world.

Originally from South Africa and now leading across the US market, Rishan shares the lessons that shaped him as a leader, from navigating cultural shifts and making family sacrifices, to learning through failure and staying grounded in values and faith.

He and Daniel unpack what it means to coach with trust, show up with consistency, and build teams who think for themselves and thrive long-term.

You’ll hear powerful insights on performance management, hiring, feedback, personal development, and the mindset needed to excel as a leader in sales and corporate environments.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Rishan Barat

02:07 From South Africa to the US

03:53 Adapting to New Cultures and Appreciating the American Spirit

07:30 Advice for Anyone Moving Abroad for Work

09:05 Lessons in Leadership and Learning from Failure

10:43 Managing Ego and Staying Grounded in Humility

12:58 How Faith Shapes Rishan’s Leadership Philosophy

14:50 The Difference Between Coaching and Managing

17:41 Building Trust and Leading with Empathy

22:09 Navigating Difficult Conversations with Clarity

23:11 How to Give and Receive Feedback Effectively

24:56 What Makes a Great Sales Leader

27:53 Balancing Individual Success with Team Growth

30:31 How Rishan Hires and Builds High-Performing Teams

34:14 Understanding Different Sales Profiles and Motivations

38:32 The Role of Technology and AI in Leadership Success

41:21 Rishan’s Go-To Books, Podcasts, and Tools for Growth

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Connect with Daniel:

LinkedIn: Daniel Robus

Website: https://www.growthmattersintl.com

Connect with Rishan:

LinkedIn: Rishan Barat