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Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal

Building Belief at Scale: Proofpoint CEO Sumit Dhawan on Leadership, Transparency, and Performance

Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal · 2026-01-22 · 10 min

Episode notes

What separates good CEOs from great ones? According to Proofpoint CEO Sumit Dhawan, it’s the ability to build belief. In this episode of Beyond the Deal , Thoma Bravo Managing Partner Seth Boro sits down with Sumit to discuss the leadership principles behind scaling a high-performing, human-centric cybersecurity company. From growing up in Delhi and learning the value of hard work and ownership, to leading a global public company, Sumit reflects on how transparency, storytelling, discipline, and mentorship build trust and unlock the best work from teams - and why building belief may be the most underrated skill in leadership today. For more information on Thoma Bravo's Behind the Deal, visit Learn more about Thoma Bravo: Learn more about Proofpoint: Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an advertisement. Views expressed are those of the individuals and not necessarily the views of Thoma Bravo or its affiliates. Thoma Bravo funds generally hold interest in the companies discussed. This podcast should not be construed as an offer to solicit the purchase of any interest in any Thoma Bravo fund.

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