Honesty. Humility. Hunger. Why I Look for These Three Above All Else.
bySantosh Nagasamy
At a recent event in Chennai, we had a modest stall. Nothing flashy. Just our products, our team, and our story.
Right next to us was another company, a competitor, technically. But what stood out wasn’t the branding, the brochures, or even the product. It was the energy.
You could feel it.
My team wasn’t just manning the stall. They were owning it. Engaging. Explaining. Listening. Smiling like it was personal, because for them, it is.
The team next door? They were watching the clock.
One team was waiting to finish their shift. The other was eager to make a difference.
I watched quietly from the sidelines, as I often do. And I felt something I rarely allow myself to feel in public, pride. Not because everything was perfect. But because everyone showed up like they belonged there.
Someone asked me recently, how do you build a team like that?
A team that cares. That works like owners. That doesn’t wait to be told.
There are many answers to that. But for me, it boils down to what I personally look for when I hire.
Not just skill. Not just fitment.
But three things I refuse to compromise on:
Honesty. Humility. Hunger.
Honesty: Not just the kind that says the truth, but the kind that admits mistakes. That asks uncomfortable questions. That looks you in the eye when things go wrong, and stays until they’re right.
Humility: Because egos kill speed. They kill learning. They kill collaboration. Some of the best ideas at Phitons have come from the youngest voices. That only works when people believe they don’t have all the answers.
Hunger: This one you can’t fake. You either want to solve real problems, or you don’t. It’s the hunger to learn, to build, to fall, to rise, and to try again. It burns quietly, but steadily.
I didn’t always know to look for these three.
Early on, I made mistakes. Hired people who looked great on paper, but never took ownership. Some even slowed the entire team down. It was frustrating.
That’s when I realized something simple but important: Skill can be taught. Experience can be built. But if someone lacks honesty, humility, or hunger, you're trying to plant a tree in bad soil.
Today, I look for alignment over answers. I don’t just listen to what people say, I listen for how they say it.
That shift has made all the difference.
Of course, this doesn’t happen by accident.
We’ve been deliberate in building a culture where:
- Respect is non-negotiable, respect for each other, for our clients, and for our mission.
- Ownership is valued more than just output.
- And leadership isn’t about hierarchy. It’s about showing up.
We operate on a simple principle: First Amongst Equals. That means anyone can lead. Everyone must own.
That’s what makes a stall feel different. That’s what makes a mission feel real.
And honestly? We’re just getting started.
In the next few months, we’re scaling operations. Entering new categories. Launching tech that could reset how the world thinks about compostable materials.
But here’s the thing, none of that will matter unless we bring the right people along for the journey.
We don’t need more people. We need builders. People who thrive in ambiguity. Who care deeply and show up fully. Quiet warriors who take pride in leaving things better than they found them.
We’ll be hiring soon. Across roles. Across levels.
If you’re someone who resonates with what you just read, if you bring honesty, humility, and hunger, we’re building something for you.
We’re not just replacing plastics. We’re rethinking what leadership and ownership look like at every level.
And yes, I’m building the kind of team I’d want my daughter to work with someday.
Let’s build something meaningful, together.
— Santosh
P.S. If this reminded you of someone, tag them. You never know where the next EcoPhite might come from.
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