When Sunjay Kapur chose ownership over management, said it was no less than giving up ego: ‘Wasn't an easy decision'

Indian Express

02-07-2025

Sunjay Kapur, who passed away recently, once spoke about relinquishing his management role as CEO of his company, Sona Comstar, for ownership and how the transition wasn't an easy one, given that fragile egos were involved. 'So, I have given up management for ownership. I have transitioned from a manager to an owner. It wasn't an easy decision. I think one of the things that you need to let go of is your ego. The CEO of our business is better than I am. You need to realise that and should let someone else run the business,' the former Chairman of Sona Comstar told The Economic Times Digital in November 2024.
The prominent industrialist, with an estimated net worth of $1.18 billion, ranked 2,623rd among the world's billionaires according to Forbes Billionaire Index.
Reflecting on the same, Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist, energy healer and life coach, said that he wasn't just talking about a corporate strategy, but was describing a deep psychological shift that most high-achievers struggle to make. 'One that requires maturity, humility, and an unshakeable sense of self-worth,' she added.
Because the truth is…control is addictive. 'For many entrepreneurs, founders, or leaders, the business becomes a part of their identity. Their decisions shape every detail; their instincts drive every milestone. But at some point, the same control that helped them build becomes the bottleneck that holds everyone back, including themselves. Letting go of that control can feel like losing relevance, losing power, or even losing purpose. But when done right, it is the exact opposite. It is evolution,' Delnna said.
Psychologically, this shift activates growth on multiple levels:
From self-worth to system-worth: Leaders who over-identify with daily operations often equate performance with personal value. But when you give up control, you're no longer validating your worth through constant doing. 'You start trusting the systems, people, and culture you've nurtured. That's where true legacy begins,' said Delnna.
From micromanagement to vision stewardship: Managing is about tactics. 'Ownership is about stewardship. The mind shifts from checking tasks to building future value. This reduces cognitive load, increases creativity, and often restores the emotional bandwidth lost in endless firefighting,' shared Delnna.
From ego to empathy: Recognising someone else might be a better manager isn't a weakness. Delnna asserted that it's wisdom. 'It means you've moved from needing to prove yourself to being able to empower others. This is leadership that uplifts, not outshines,' said Delnna.
From anxiety to inner stability: Those deeply attached to control often carry a quiet, invisible anxiety, one that comes from constantly needing to hold everything together. 'What if they mess it up?', 'What if I'm not needed anymore?' But when you rewire your sense of control to be internal (mindset, intention, emotional regulation) instead of external (teams, tasks, outcomes), peace returns. You stop reacting and start responding, shared Delnna.
From scarcity to abundance: The ego works in scarcity: 'If they rise, I fall.' 'Ownership thinks in abundance: 'When they rise, we all win.' Letting go allows space for fresh talent, new ideas, and exponential expansion,' Delnna shared.
Sometimes, the most powerful upgrade isn't in doing more. 'It's in doing less, with deeper presence. Because leadership isn't just about staying in charge. It's about knowing when to step aside – so the vision becomes bigger than just one person,' said Delnna.