On my recent trip to Mumbai, I witnessed firsthand how integrity thrives—even in the chaos of the city's overcrowded local trains.

The Mumbai local train, used by lakhs for their daily commute, is known for its overwhelming crowd. Yet, amid the rush, there exists an unspoken rule—one that defines fairness and mutual respect: the rule of ‘seat claiming’.

Here’s how it works: A standing passenger politely asks a seated commuter about their destination. If the seated person is getting off earlier, they willingly offer their seat to the one traveling further. No pushing, no arguments—just a quiet, mutual understanding that keeps the system running smoothly.

Even in the city’s most packed trains, integrity prevails. The Mumbai local isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about respect, resilience, and an unspoken code of fairness that makes this daily battle a shared experience.

I truly realised the beauty of the ‘seat claiming’ rule when I saw a woman waiting for a seat. As soon as another passenger got up, she paused and checked if anyone else had already claimed it. When another commuter honestly responded ‘No,’ she took the seat without any dispute. It also shows a collaboration between strangers.

This unspoken trust and collaboration among strangers made me reflect—what if workplaces operated on a similar level of mutual respect and integrity? Just as unspoken trust governs a smooth journey on the Mumbai local, a similar culture of integrity and collaboration can create high-performing, engaged teams at work.

In workplaces, true collaboration means not just working alongside each other, but actively supporting diverse perspectives, sharing opportunities, and ensuring that success is collective rather than competitive—just like passengers ensuring fairness in seat-sharing.

Imagine if, like the rule of ‘seat claiming’, there were a rule of ‘fair credit giving’ in the workplace—where someone might openly ask who were responsible for the success of a project and receive an honest answer not just from the people themselves, but from colleagues happy to ensure that those who did well were recognised for their work. Even if their contribution is small, such honest recognition is an important basis of bringing everyone along in the same direction.

In a world where office politics often take center stage, imagine a workplace where trust flows as seamlessly as it does in the Mumbai local. A place where people support each other, without hidden agendas—just like the silent agreement among passengers.

Another experience took me by surprise. A beggar approached, and I handed her a Rs20 note. To my astonishment, she returned Rs10—almost as if an unwritten rule existed among them, capping the expected amount at Rs10 from a passenger. Even in places where you'd least expect it, integrity finds its way.

This unexpected moment of honesty reminded me of the importance of consistency in leadership. Just as the beggar’s unwritten rule creates fairness, strong workplace leadership is built on clarity, transparency, and fairness—ensuring that employees always know what to expect and can trust the system.

The Mumbai local is more than a train—it’s a reflection of society, where trust and fairness still exist in the most unexpected places. Perhaps the lessons we learn in these daily commutes should travel with us into our workplaces and beyond.