In a candid and revealing conversation on the Raj Shamani podcast, Zomato co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal opened up about the profound impact of childhood bullying and his lifelong journey with a stammer. The successful entrepreneur shared intimate details of his struggles, from being ostracized as a child to navigating leadership at a major tech company while managing his speech.
From Bullied Child to Unlikely Leader
Deepinder Goyal recounted a difficult childhood where he faced significant bullying and social exclusion. He described himself as a "very short, dark, stammering kid" who also struggled academically. This combination led to a painful reality where even his friends' parents would advise their children to avoid him. The isolation was a formative, though harsh, experience.
He humorously recalled a poster from his youth that declared, "I was born to lead. I was never born to be ruled." Goyal now views this with a sense of irony, noting that during his Class 11, he scored only around 42% marks. He quipped that the poster and his reality at the time "just doesn't make sense." However, podcast host Raj Shamani countered this, suggesting that people who receive fewer marks in school often achieve greater things in life, a notion that has proven true for the Zomato boss.
The Silent Struggle: Being Heard and Valued
The core of Goyal's childhood pain stemmed from his stammer and the way it made people dismiss him. He explained that the most hurtful part was not the speech impediment itself, but the reaction it provoked. People would often stop listening mid-sentence, look away, or start talking about something else. This behavior sent a crushing message that his words held no value and that others doubted he could even finish his thoughts.
While his family was supportive, encouraging him that his stammer was psychological and that confidence would help, young Deepinder dismissed their reassurance. "Even if your home is supportive, you don't think of that as valid," he explained. "It's like, 'The outside world is speaking the truth. You're supposed to love me. You must be lying to make me feel good.'" This internal conflict between external criticism and familial support is a common thread for many who face similar challenges.
Leading a Giant Without a Live Microphone
Perhaps the most surprising revelation was how Goyal manages leadership at Zomato, a publicly listed company with thousands of employees, while largely avoiding public speaking. He disclosed that he has not addressed the entire company in a live town hall for 7-8 years. When asked by Shamani if this was due to his stammer, Goyal confirmed, "Yes. I just cannot. I mean, it is too much effort. Stage, public presence, this is not my thing."
Instead, the tech CEO has innovated his own style of communication. He conducts "Slack town halls," using the messaging platform to connect with his team. He sends a message to a common chat, employees reply, and a text-based conversation unfolds. For Goyal, written communication feels natural, effective, and bypasses the anxiety of live speech.
His relationship with stammering has evolved over the last five years. While podcasts and interviews remain mentally draining and uncomfortable, leading him to do fewer of them, he has found a sense of peace. "Now I'm like, okay. I'll get stuck. Finally, the word will come out. I'm very at peace with it," he stated. This confidence stems from the hard-earned respect he has gained; people now listen to him despite the pauses. He acknowledges the stammer will never fully disappear, but it no longer defines his self-worth or capability as a leader.
