Interview - Infosys founder-chairman, N.R. Narayana Murthy

After Mohandas Pai�s exit, there has been a constant debate on founders versus professionals. Is this really a meritocratic institution or is the position rotated among founders?

First of all, I�d like to see another company that is more professional than this. Then yes, I�d like to learn from them. Second, this company was founded by professionals, I invited six other people. These people have been as smart as anybody else. In fact, I gave a test to each of the six people I recruited. They scored 100 out of 100. I don�t know if the people in Infosys today would get to that level of IQ. Their value system is impeccable � one thing I am very, very proud of. Third, the sacrifices they made when the company was very small, very few other Infoscions have made. Fourth, they continue to add value and have distinguished themselves in the eyes of their peers, subordinates and therefore, when there is a set of competent people in the same band in the company, you have to use seniority.