In the Raj Shamani podcast, Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal talked about bullying during his childhood. One of the reasons was his stuttering, which still plagues him.
“I used to be a very small, dark, stuttering kid. I also struggled with studies. So, all those things combined, my friends’ parents would tell them, ‘Don’t be friends with him,'” says the Zomat co-founder.
The discussion started around the fact that he had a poster on his wall as a child that read: “I was born to lead. I was never born to be controlled.” But Goyal now thinks the poster didn’t make much sense.
Read also | Deepinder Goyal on reports of Zomato laying off 600 employees, “We make no excuses…”
“The poster is also kind of stupid because I got 42% points for 10 plus 1 or something. So the poster and more, it just doesn’t make sense,” he quips.
But Raj Shamani says it makes sense because people who get lower grades in school tend to achieve greater things in life.
Deepinder Goyal then goes on to talk about the problems he faced due to his stuttering. According to him, what bothered him the most before was that no one wanted to listen to him when he spoke.
“Mid-sentence, people started talking about something else. They stopped listening and looked away. As if whatever I had to say was of no value. Also, they wondered if I would be able to say what I wanted to say,” says Goyal.
Read also | Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal reacts to allegations of AI-generated emotional post
Then he says he had the support of his family. They used to encourage him that it was all in his head. If he felt more confident, he wouldn’t have stuttered, they said.
His family often remarked that he had no problems singing songs. However, family support did not play a role. Deepinder explained why.
“Even though your home supports you, you don’t see it as valid. It’s like, ‘The outside world is telling the truth. You should love me. You have to lie to make me feel good.’ I think it could also happen,” he continues.
“Does it still bother you?”
Deepinder Goyal then talks about life with a stutter and how it still makes him nervous when speaking in public. He admits that podcasts and interviews are uncomfortable and mentally draining.
“It makes me nervous. For example, this (Raj Shamani podcast) also. It’s not easy and comfortable for me. That’s why I do less,” he says.
Over time, Goyal says his relationship with stuttering has changed. He no longer sees it as uncertainty. They feel calmer and less afraid of judgment.
He believes people are listening to him now despite the hiatus. That confidence has come gradually over the past five years, although he admits that stuttering will never completely go away.
Read also | Raghav Chadha vs Deepinder Goyal: Showdown over delivery workers’ protest
“Now I’m like, OK. I’m going to jam. The word will finally come out. I’m very comfortable with it. Okay, it’s going to stick. We’ll see. I think that also comes with it, even if I stutter, people will listen to me now. I’ve kind of earned it,” says Deepinder.
When Raj Shamani questions how he runs a large company without making a public appearance, Goyal reveals a surprising truth. He did not address the entire company at a live town hall for 7-8 years.
“I think it’s gradually changed over the last five years or so. It’s not completely over. It’s going to stay inside. It’s never going to go away,” Deepinder continues.
Zomat’s boss uses Slack messages where employees respond instantly. He finds written communication natural and effective.
“I do Slack town halls. Chat is a regular town hall. So one message and people literally respond to them. And then, another message, another message. I do town halls by SMS,” says CEO Eternal.
Raj Shamani asks, “Is stuttering the reason?”
“Yes. I just can’t. I mean, it’s too much effort. The stage, the public presence, that’s not my thing,” replies Deepinder Goyal.
