Stay Humble: Listening & Learning Without Ego
We are keeping the momentum going with another Leadership Principles Spotlight Session, this time zooming in on Stay Humble.
Staying Humble isn’t about shrinking yourself or down playing strengths, it’s about showing up with curiosity, openness, and the courage to admit you don’t have all the answers. It’s about learning, and embracing feedback like the gift it is.
Hosted by Katharina Maxis, Vice President of People & Culture, with Yashwant Singh, Head of IT Service Delivery, and Deniz Özkan Ergün, Senior Director of M&A Legal and Integration joining on stage for an honest, thoughtful panel discussion, the session gave us plenty to reflect on.
Here’s what we learned…
What Does It Really Mean to Stay Humble?
Deniz set the tone - Staying Humble is about how you engage with feedback. It’s not enough to just hear it, you have to truly consider it. "How I react to the first challenge sets the tone on whether someone might speak up again or not," she shared. Highlighting that humility isn’t just for you, it’s how you create a safe space for others to speak up, challenge ideas, and help the team grow.
She shared a story about moving from a central legal role to a regional one working with foodpanda, one of Delivery Hero’s subsidiaries based in Asia. At first, she thought she had all the answers. Within days, she realized she didn’t! She had to pause, listen, and reframe how she approached her work. It was humbling, and ultimately it made her better in her role.
Katharina echoed this, sharing that as she is a newcomer to the company, only joining 2 and a half months ago. She’s been embracing the power of asking questions and learning constantly. “You can’t Stay Humble if you’re not open to being a beginner,” she said.
Yashwant added that Staying Humble also means being open about your mistakes. By sharing when things don’t go as planned, he creates a safe space where his team feels comfortable learning and working together.
No Flex Required!
Yashwant reminded the audience of one of his favourite role models: Peter Parker (The fictional character, also known as Spider-Man!) Staying Humble doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you don’t need to flex all the time. Real strength is found in quiet confidence. It’s found in listening more than you speak.
What If We Don’t Stay Humble?
Deniz shared a story of nearly making a decision. One last minute conversation changed everything as one of the stakeholders had a better idea. Staying Humble kept the decision collaborative, and ultimately, better for the business.
Being humble isn’t about being uncertain or indecisive - it’s about being confident enough to listen, reconsider and still make the call. It’s critical to stay clear in the direction, while being flexible in how we get there. If we lose humility, we lose learning.
Katharina warned that we risk becoming stagnant. “If you’re not open, you don’t take risks, and you miss the chance to improve.” At its core, Staying Humble is a protective layer, it shields us from poor decisions and missed opportunities.
Navigating Big Egos
Sometimes we work with big personalities. The question is, how do you stay grounded when egos are flying?
Yashwant channeled Gandhi: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. When someone leads with ego, you don’t need to match that energy. He reminded us that wisdom doesn’t always trickle from the top. Sometimes the best insights come from the people executing on the ground.
Yashwant went on to explain how he gains major insights from discussing topics with local teams across Delivery Hero brands and hearing about the challenges firsthand.
What You Can Do Starting Now
Still wondering how to embed this into your everyday routine? Here are some practical ways to embody this Leadership Principle:
- Ask more questions: Even if you think you know the answer, stay curious.
- Embrace feedback: Don’t just hear it, act on it.
- Check your ego: Focus on understanding, not just responding.
- Look beyond titles: Insights can come from anywhere, at any level.
- Admit mistakes: It builds trust, not weakness.
Receive articles like this
Tags
Find out more about Delivery Hero
We operate in around 70 countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa and are also pioneering quick commerce, the next generation of e-commerce.
Read moreRoles you might be interested in
Salary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Legal & GRC
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are on the lookout for a Privacy Counsel to join Delivery Hero Data Protection Team on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences. Join the team that protects and enables Delivery Hero’s gro
Reference
4f153636-bf6f-4b5d-8cb7-fa1dd6f65eef
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
System Administration
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are on the lookout for a System Administrator I to join the IT Service Delivery team on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences. Be our next Hero! - Join one of the leading global online
Reference
d4d0b7b3-0e11-4a4e-8430-6c6fd49fa316
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Strategy
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are on the lookout for a Senior Specialist to join the Fraud Prevention Team at Central Fintech on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences. Join a diverse and highly effective team that i
Reference
e9cdf629-2e45-4850-86a9-f738dc01a536
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Management
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
At Delivery Hero, we are building the future of quick commerce. With more than 300 dark stores across 11 countries, our DMART Operations team ensures millions of customers receive their orders quickly
Reference
36ab60c6-b76c-4673-b271-0652263cb532
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Product Management
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are on the lookout for a Senior Product Manager to join our Logistics - Payments team, on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences.As a Payment Senior Product Manager, you will be responsi
Reference
7f313129-d1c8-4c87-a9aa-71d350ee2cf6
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Product Management
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
Be our next Hero! - Join the world’s leading local delivery platform.We are on the lookout for a Director, Product Management - (Fintech, Global Payments) to join our Fintech Product team and deliver
Reference
18f6a355-59d2-4bc4-b0e2-21522da171c5
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Legal & GRC
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are on the lookout for a Legal Counsel, Employment Law (Individual Labor Law) to join the Employment Law & Employee Relations Team on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences. Key Responsi
Reference
442f42f2-d52b-4710-af21-03ad5d11870b
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Strategy
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are on the lookout for a Director, Investor Relations to join the Investor Relations team on our journey to always deliver amazing experiences.Investor Relations serves as the vital bridge between
Reference
d24e62bf-12bd-43d7-b73b-67044a5f0d92
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Cairo, Egypt
Job Category
Logistic
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Cairo
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
What's On Your Plate?Lead Talabat Egypt’s overall supply ecosystem, ensuring a sustainable, high-quality, and high-performing rider base across the country.Develop and execute the overall supply growt
Reference
220379ec-e702-4aba-8001-f96d77f40d46
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeSalary
Location
Berlin, Germany
Job Category
Product Management
Job Type
Full-time
Location
Berlin
Remote working
On-Site
Brand
Delivery Hero
Description
We are looking for a Senior PMO/Project Manager - Tech & Product (12 Months Contract) to join our EU & APAC Consumer Platform team and reinvent on-demand delivery with us.The EU & APAC Consumer Platfo
Reference
e88e2ee5-437c-49cc-ac7e-45b1bffc83f9
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
John DoeAuthor
John DoeArticles you might like
Teaser
Candidate Tips & ResourcesBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
10/17/2025
Summary
Interviewing can feel like a mystery, but it doesn’t have to! Recruiters at Delivery Hero speak with thousands of candidates around the world every year, and they’ve spotted a clear pattern: most
Teaser
Candidate Tips & ResourcesBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
10/14/2025
Summary
Welcome to Berlin! If you're relocating to join Delivery Hero at our HQ, we're here to help. We have pulled together 10 essential tips to make your move smoother, from visa paperwork to finding yo
Teaser
EventsBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
10/09/2025
Summary
This year’s company party 'HeroChella', was inspired by the energy and diversity of a creative music festival. What started as a simple idea, grew into Delivery Hero’s biggest celebration of the
Teaser
People & TeamsBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
09/24/2025
Summary
At Delivery Hero, we believe that the best work happens when employees feel connected and supported. That’s why our approach to hybrid working is all about flexibility, balance, and making the t
Teaser
DE&IBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
09/19/2025
Summary
What happens when you put curious students, inspiring professionals, and career wisdom into one room? You get the Black Students and Early Career Open Day! A buzzing, interactive event hosted by
Teaser
EventsBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
08/01/2025
Summary
The final chapter in our Leadership Principles Spotlight Series went with a smile. Hosted by Laura Gonia, Senior Director, Product Management, the session opened with a warm welcome and a remind
Teaser
Learning & DevelopmentBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
07/31/2025
Summary
At Delivery Hero, we are committed to building high-performing teams and investing in our people. One of the most recent examples of this came via Women at Delivery Hero, one of our employee res
Teaser
EventsBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
07/15/2025
Summary
What do baristas and high performing teams have in common? As it turns out, a lot!That’s how Wafaey (Ahmed Wafaey, Senior Director of Commercial Product) kicked us off at the Raise the Bar Spotl
Teaser
EventsBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
07/15/2025
Summary
At Delivery Hero, we’re not just about building teams, we’re building exceptional ones! The Bar Raiser Program is one of the key ways to ensure we continue to hire and develop the best. Let’s ta
Teaser
EventsBrand
Delivery HeroPublish date
06/10/2025
Summary
Welcome to the third edition of our Spotlight Series, where we shine a light on Delivery Hero’s Leadership Principles and explore how they come to life in our work. This time, we took the plunge
Jobs you have shown an interest in