Leadership Lessons from the Banyan Tree

Overview

This article originally appeared on LinkedIn on May 19, 2026.

On a recent trip to Hawaii, I found myself standing in the shadow of a massive row of Banyan trees. I’ll admit, I was surprised to see them there; I’ve rarely encountered them outside of India, where I grew up. Seeing them brought back a flood of childhood memories, but as I looked at the way they grow, I realized the Banyan is more than just a nostalgic icon. 

It is a masterclass in leadership and professional evolution.

Moving Beyond the Corporate Ladder?

In the corporate world, we are conditioned to view growth through the lens of fixed structures: a narrow pyramid, a vertical ladder, or perhaps a lattice. While these are helpful ways to describe an outcome, they fail to capture the process of building a career.

Ladders and pyramids are static. They don’t breathe and grow, and they don't adapt to the environment. The Banyan tree, however, doesn't just grow "up." It sends down aerial roots from its branches. Once those roots hit the ground, they thicken into secondary trunks, providing the stability and nutrients required for the canopy to expand even further.

To lead effectively, you cannot rely on a single "trunk" of knowledge. You must extend aerial roots into adjacent areas.

My Personal Root System

When I reflect on my own professional journey, I realize that it forms an integrated root system, one that has has grounded me over years:

• The Main Pillar: My family and my core values. This is the central trunk that holds everything together.
• The Technical Aerial Root: My technology background and the rigors of my PhD education. These gave me the sharp eye necessary to spot true innovation amidst the noise.
• The People & Relationship Roots: These allowed me to navigate complex organizations and taught me that who you know - and how you treat them - is just as vital as what you know.
• The Roots of Inspiration: I have made it a point to learn from every person I’ve worked with. This desire to stay engaged is what inspires me to support the next generation of technologists.

Forming New Roots

One of the greatest challenges in leadership occurs when the "canopy" expands so far that you begin managing functions or peers who were previously adjacent to you.

I have always sought managers from whom I can learn. So, when the roles are reversed, I often ask myself: How can I expect a seasoned professional in a different discipline to report to me if I don't understand or speak their language?

This is where the Banyan strategy becomes essential. Since joining Zscaler, I have been intentionally extending a new, critical aerial root: Go-To-Market (GTM) excellence.

Just as an aerial root starts as a fragile string hanging from a branch, my journey into GTM started with small, methodical steps. I had to go deep into:

• Customer Segmentation: Understanding the nuances of Geography, Segment, and Sector.
• Sales Motions: Learning how to organize the field for maximum impact.
• Value Realization: Mastering bundling strategies to increase "attachment" for new growth areas and converting that into tangible value for all stakeholders.

As I evolved my role as a CIO, I have developed several roots to trunks - budgeting, forecasting, transforming, dealing with disruption. These experiences provided valuable insights on the cause-and-effect of decisions and the broader systems-level understanding required to be in the C-suite of a large public company. 

Growth is an Intentional Choice

An aerial root faces many obstacles as it grows. Sometimes it hits a barrier before reaching the ground. Sometimes a gardener cuts it back. In the same way, professional growth requires patience and resilience. You have to be willing to be a student again, even when you are already a leader.

Strategy gives you direction, but depth of expertise gives you the right to lead. Moving up isn't just about climbing; it’s about investing the time to broaden your foundation so that when the wind blows or the canopy grows heavier, you remain unshakable.

As you look toward your next chapter, I encourage you to expand your canopy and develop the aerial roots that will enable you to stand even taller tomorrow.

What aerial roots do you want to develop?