Narayana Murthy Quotes and Biography: The Visionary Behind Infosys

Narayana Murthy is one of India’s most respected entrepreneurs and the co-founder of Infosys, a global leader in IT services. He is known not only for his technical brilliance but also for his integrity, leadership, and values-driven approach to business.

Born on August 20, 1946, in Sidlaghatta, Karnataka, Murthy studied electrical engineering and later earned his master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. He founded Infosys in 1981 with six other engineers, transforming it into one of the world’s most respected IT companies.

Key Achievements of Narayana Murthy

Co-founded Infosys with just ₹10,000 in capital
Pioneered India’s global IT outsourcing model
Recognized globally for corporate governance and ethical leadership
Recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri, two of India’s highest civilian honors
Named among the Greatest Entrepreneurs of All Time by Fortune magazine

Top 10 Narayana Murthy Quotes

Here are some of the most inspirational Narayana Murthy quotes that showcase his thoughts on leadership, values, and success:

“Progress is often equal to the difference between mind and mindset.”
“Love your job, but never fall in love with your company.”
“It is better to underpromise and overdeliver than vice versa.”
“Character plus competence is equal to leadership.”
“You do not have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream.”
“Entrepreneurship is about deferred gratification.”
“A clear conscience is the softest pillow in the world.”
“Performance leads to recognition. Recognition leads to respect. Respect leads to power.”
“When in doubt, disclose.”
“Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”

Life Lessons from Narayana Murthy

Lead with integrity: Murthy built Infosys on a foundation of transparency and ethical values.
Empower others: He believed in sharing wealth and knowledge with employees and society.
Think globally: Infosys was among the first Indian companies to scale internationally.
Stay humble: Despite global success, Murthy remains grounded and service-oriented.
Be disciplined: Focus, hard work, and responsibility shaped his personal and professional journey.

Legacy

Narayana Murthy retired from Infosys in 2011 but remains an influential voice in business and policy. Under his leadership, Infosys not only grew exponentially but also set benchmarks for corporate governance and innovation.

He continues to inspire young entrepreneurs to dream big, stay honest, and build businesses that serve a greater purpose.