In today’s competitive professional world, academic qualifications and technical expertise are only part of the equation for success. The ability to communicate effectively, present oneself with confidence, build meaningful relationships and navigate social and professional situations with grace has become equally important.
Recognising this need, Ruchi Lahoti, Founder of the Indian School of Excellence, has created a platform dedicated to etiquette, communication, personality development, professional grooming and social intelligence. Drawing from her experience in the hospitality industry with leading brands, Lahoti brings a practical and experiential approach to personal and professional development.
For Lahoti, excellence goes beyond qualifications and professional achievements. It is also reflected in one’s presence, awareness, confidence and the way one interacts with others. In this interview, she shares the inspiration behind the Indian School of Excellence, the importance of soft skills in today’s world, her approach to training diverse audiences and her vision for the next generation.
Q. After building your career in the hospitality industry with leading brands, what inspired you to establish the Indian School of Excellence, and what gap did you want to address through it?
Ruchi Lahoti: My years in the hospitality industry taught me that while skills and qualifications open doors, it is often your presence, communication and the way you conduct yourself that determine what happens once you walk through them.
I realised there was a significant gap in the way these life and professional skills were being taught. People were being prepared academically and technically, but not always prepared for the social and professional environments they would encounter.
That inspired me to establish the Indian School of Excellence to bridge that gap and help individuals develop the confidence, polish and social intelligence needed to navigate different situations with ease. My objective has always been to make etiquette and personal development practical, relevant and applicable to real life.
Q. In a world where technical qualifications often take priority, why do you believe etiquette, communication and personality development are equally important for personal and professional success?
Ruchi Lahoti: Technical knowledge can get you an opportunity, but how you communicate, carry yourself and build relationships often determines how far that opportunity takes you.
We live and work in an increasingly interconnected world where people interact with colleagues, clients and cultures from across the globe. Communication, emotional intelligence, professional etiquette and personal presence help you build trust and credibility.
For me, personality development is not about changing who you are. It is about bringing out the best version of yourself with greater awareness, confidence and respect for the people around you.
Q. Your programmes cover everything from corporate etiquette and professional grooming to dining manners and confidence-building. How do you tailor your training to create a meaningful impact on such diverse audiences?
Ruchi Lahoti: I strongly believe that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to personal development.
Before designing a programme, I look at the audience their age, profession, cultural background, environment and, most importantly, what they need to achieve. A corporate leadership team may need a very different approach from college students, educators or someone preparing to enter an international professional environment.
My training is therefore highly experiential. I use practical examples, demonstrations, role plays, discussions and real-life situations rather than simply teaching a set of rules. The aim is for participants to leave not just knowing what to do, but actually feeling confident about applying it.
Q. What is one common misconception people have about etiquette, and how do you help them understand that it goes beyond appearance to include confidence, respect and behaviour?
Ruchi Lahoti: One of the biggest misconceptions is that etiquette is about being formal, following rigid rules or simply looking polished.
For me, etiquette is fundamentally about awareness and consideration. It is understanding how your behaviour affects the people around you and knowing how to make others feel comfortable and respected.
You can be impeccably dressed and still lack etiquette. True elegance comes from the way you speak, listen, respond, carry yourself and treat people irrespective of their position or status.
That is the message I try to bring into every programme: etiquette is not about pretending to be someone else; it is about becoming more aware, confident and considerate in the way you interact with the world.
Q. Looking ahead, what is your vision for the Indian School of Excellence, and how do you hope to make etiquette and soft-skills training more accessible and relevant to the next generation?
Ruchi Lahoti: My vision is to build the Indian School of Excellence into a platform that makes personal development, etiquette and social intelligence an essential part of education and professional development.
I want to move beyond the perception that etiquette is a luxury or something reserved for a certain social class. These are life skills, and everyone deserves access to them.
Going forward, I want to reach more young people, educational institutions and organisations, while continuing to make the programmes contemporary and relevant to the world they are stepping into.
Ultimately, my goal is simple: to help people become more confident, capable and conscious versions of themselves because excellence is not just about what you know; it is also about how you carry yourself and how you make others feel.
Ruchi Lahoti’s journey reflects a growing recognition that professional success is shaped by more than academic qualifications and technical expertise. Through the Indian School of Excellence, she seeks to bring greater attention to communication, confidence, etiquette, emotional intelligence and social awareness as essential life and professional skills.
Her approach is rooted in the belief that etiquette should not be seen as a luxury or a collection of rigid rules. Instead, it is about awareness, respect, consideration and the ability to make meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds and environments.
As the Indian School of Excellence looks towards reaching more young people, educational institutions and organisations, Ruchi Lahoti’s vision remains centred on one simple idea: excellence is not only about what you know, but also about how you carry yourself and how you make others feel.