17 Jul

In 35 years of my professional career, I have done several different things and the choices I have made professionally, academically, and personally would, to a bystander, seem well somewhat crazy. Now, when I look back with the benefit of hindsight, I realise that these very same, seemingly crazy choices have turned out to be the biggest blessings in my career and life.

Around a decade ago, I decided to move from a job that I was well comfortable with to one that I had no direct experience in, and that too in a city I had never worked in. I wasn’t sure if it was the right decision when a friend’s words gave me confidence. “You know you have been reinventing yourself every so often by trying something new and different”, he said.

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It was never a conscious effort to do something new or “reinvent myself” as my friend said. However, that was exactly what happened. Whether it was the decision to join the IT industry when I had been running a company of my own at the age of 40, the decision to move to the US — a market I had never worked in before to start a new line of business, or returning to India even though we had got our Green Cards or whether it was deciding to enroll in a law course at almost 50 (and passing it!).

Here’s my takeaway from all the incredible professional experience I have gathered over the years:

• Remain fresh and motivated – With every new assignment, and new initiative comes a new challenge. With every new challenge comes new learning, a new perspective, and a freshness of ideas and thought. You are compelled to adapt and adopt.

• Expand your horizons – Trying new things means stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing your boundaries. This opens up new opportunities and expands your horizons, giving you a wider perspective on life and work. You can learn from different industries, cultures, and ways of thinking, making you a more well-rounded professional. My stint in the US and my work for NTT have both given me a wonderful sense of the global perspective, not to mention an appreciation of the cultural differences that are so critical in the global market we operate in today.

• Find your passion – Trying new things can help you discover what truly excites and motivates you. By exposing yourself to different experiences and challenges, you may stumble upon a passion that you never knew existed. Almost 5 years ago when I was offered the position of Head of HR it was a leap of faith by the then-management of the company I worked with. For the most part of those 5 years, there were several challenges that we saw —internal and external. In overcoming each of those, I never realised that my passion and through it my strength was in working with people. I truly feel that being able to find this passion was what allowed me to lead the team as we navigated all the challenges that came our way.

• Build resilience – Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new can be daunting and even scary but it also builds resilience and mental toughness, as you learn to overcome challenges and persevere through difficult times. After almost 5 years as the head of HR in a large company, I am now moving to a role that is completely different – to run the business operations and excellence. Several people have asked me why I was doing that. Why move away from something you are happy doing, at this late stage in one’s career? For me, the reason was simple. I felt I was not only up for a new challenge, but more importantly, I felt I could bring impactful change to business through the new role. While there is some trepidation, I think I have now done enough different things to feel confident taking on the challenge.

• Stay relevant – In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s important to stay current and relevant. Trying new things helps you stay ahead of the curve and adapt to new trends and technologies, making you more valuable to employers and clients. If there is one thing that I have learned in all these years is that the world is changing at a breakneck pace, markets are changing, social orders are changing, and people’s behaviours and expectations are. It is really up to us to change with the times and upgrade ourselves or be left behind. I have chosen to remain relevant. Everyone needs to ask this of themselves.

Overall, the power of rocking the professional boat lies in your ability to keep yourself fresh, motivated, and adaptable. It may seem risky or unconventional at times, but it can also be the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving your goals. So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new – you may just be surprised at where it takes you.

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