“Parinama” at the workplace

Evolution as a Business Leader

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Inspired by the Linked in post of my friend Krish Shankar, I was reflecting on my own Parinama (Sanskrit word for transformation) as a person and leader during my career. There was never a dull moment in my career spanning several roles which took me across the world & 5 industry verticals. Was this entirely by design? Absolutely not. But when opportunities came, I did not hesitate to take them, learn and succeed.

Like many other graduating MBAs, I had some fancy ideas of the kind of work one would do – Business strategy, M&A, Treasury, C-suite interactions etc. I was lucky enough to get most of that heady stuff albeit much later in my career. My first task as Management Trainee in Hindustan Unilever Limited was to count cash filled in salary envelopes, for distribution to workmen at our Mumbai factory. While initially taken aback by such work being assigned to me, this also marked a series of experiential learnings for me. Understanding the business ground up, learning from mistakes made and working with people through influence rather than authority, were foundational to my growth as a leader.

My leadership journey evolved through three distinct phases from a Domain Expert to an Enterprise Leader, emphasizing a blend of Skills, Emotional Intelligence, and Strategy. As I progressed, Emotional Quotient and Strategy became increasingly vital, while Values and Beliefs remained constant, growing more visible as I advanced.

I have tried to summarise some key elements of this balance in the table below:

My growth has been nurtured by learning from those around me – colleagues who generously shared their business insights and mentors who expanded my horizons, challenging me to unlock my full potential.

A critical element of leadership development is also versatility. This gets developed when we are open to diverse roles, industry types and ownership structures in our career. In fact, my diverse experience made me a better learner with self-effacing humility. Leadership isn't just about growth across phases but also embracing diverse experiences, crucial for future readiness.

I am eager to hear your thoughts on “Parinama at the workplace”.

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