Career Shifts: Insights from Episode 17 - Santhosh Babu

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who tuned in last Thursday for the Career Shifts Podcast! Your engagement and enthusiasm truly bring this show to life. Whether you joined us live or plan to catch up later, your participation fuels our growing community, and I am incredibly grateful for your support. A special shoutout to LinkedIn for providing the platform that allows us to connect with incredible leaders and learn from their personal and professional journeys.

Last week, I had the privilege of hosting the 17th episode of the Career Shifts Podcast with a truly inspiring guest Santhosh Babu . Santhosh is a leader in the field of organizational development, with over 26 years of experience in shaping the future of work and leadership. Our conversation was both profound and practical, offering real insights into how organizations and individuals can thrive in an ever-changing world.

Before we dive in, let me share a quick personal story.

During the podcast, I reflected on how my parents spent decades working in the same organizations—my father for 43 years, and my mother for 37. It made me think deeply about how the concept of "work" and "career" has changed. Back then, success was tied to stability, job security, and loyalty to a single employer. But as Santhosh and I discussed, today's workplace is a different beast—one that demands constant adaptability, innovation, and the ability to manage change, not just at the organizational level but within ourselves.

From Hypnotist to Organizational Change Leader

Santhosh shared his incredible career journey, which started from being a teacher in Bhutan to heading sales at a paper factory to eventually founding OD Alternatives. He even had a stint as a stage hypnotist, using that experience to bring out deeper psychological insights in his later work. His career is a testament to the fact that growth comes when you're open to taking risks and exploring different paths.

One of the most memorable anecdotes was when Santhosh shared how he left his stable job as a teacher to take up a marketing role in Bhutan’s paper industry. A friend had suggested this career shift, but it turned out to be a trap, as the company was deeply in debt. Santhosh reflected, "It was a wrong decision at that time, but every experience adds to who you become. If you're willing to take risks, you'll discover beautiful opportunities along the way."

Key Highlights from the Episode:

1. The Paradox of Technology and Time: Santhosh emphasized a critical paradox of the modern world: while technology was supposed to save us time, it has only made us busier. "Technology should bring us closer to who we want to be, but instead, we are caught in a cycle of busyness," he said. This was a reminder that productivity and progress are not always the same thing.
2. Evolving Organizations: "The more things change, the more things remain the same," Santhosh noted when discussing how organizations have evolved. He stressed that while there is a lot of talk about the future of work, organizations need to focus on what can be done today to foster inclusion, mindfulness, and connection. This present focus is critical in navigating the complexities of evolving business landscapes.
3. Leadership and Human-Centric Workplaces: Leadership, according to Santhosh, is about standing for something larger than yourself. He shared, "Leaders create new possibilities and get their energy from a cause bigger than themselves." Santhosh emphasized the importance of human-centric leadership, where leaders prioritize building meaningful connections and trust with their teams.
4. The Role of Social Capital: One of the most powerful insights from the conversation was the importance of social capital. "Strong relationships are your most valuable asset," he said. Building trust and fostering relationships within and outside the workplace is key to thriving in an increasingly complex world.
5. The Influence of Anxiety in Organizations: Santhosh discussed how organizations often operate from a place of collective anxiety, driving people into constant action. "We have to ask ourselves, is this action coming from a place of genuine need, or is it driven by anxiety and guilt?" Reflecting on this distinction is crucial for creating a balanced and thoughtful workplace.
6. Embracing Career Shifts: Santhosh shared his own career shifts—from teacher to environmentalist to organizational leader—highlighting that taking risks and embracing change are essential for growth. He encouraged the audience to view their own shifts as opportunities to explore new possibilities and align their work with a deeper purpose.
7. The Future of Work and AI: While discussing the impact of AI and technology on the workforce, Santhosh urged leaders to focus on creating environments where human creativity and collaboration can thrive. AI is not a threat but an opportunity to refocus on what makes us uniquely human—our ability to connect, innovate, and adapt.

Essential Takeaways for Your Career and Organization:

1. Action vs. Progress: Santhosh highlighted an important distinction between being busy and being productive. He challenged the idea that constant action equates to real progress. In today’s fast-paced work environments, it's easy to confuse activity with achievement, but Santhosh urged us to take a step back and reflect on our actions. Are they driven by purpose or simply anxiety to stay busy? "We have to ask ourselves, is this action coming from a place of genuine need, or is it driven by unconscious anxiety?" he shared. True progress happens when actions align with a deeper purpose, not just when we’re ticking tasks off a list. Take time to pause and assess if your daily efforts are contributing to meaningful outcomes for yourself and your organization.
2. Leadership and Connection: Leadership in the modern era is no longer about exerting control or managing tasks; it’s about building trust and fostering human connection. Santhosh stressed that leaders must stand for something bigger than themselves. "Leaders create new possibilities and get their energy from a cause bigger than themselves," he said. To be effective, leaders need to create environments where people feel heard, valued, and inspired. True leadership lies in enabling others to reach their potential, not in micromanaging. As Santhosh put it, leadership is about fostering collective action and helping teams navigate challenges with shared purpose and trust.
3. Embrace Change as an Opportunity: With the rise of AI and technological advancements, the future of work is changing rapidly. Instead of fearing these changes, Santhosh urged us to embrace them as opportunities for personal and professional growth. AI can free us from repetitive tasks, allowing us to focus on more creative, strategic, and human-centric work. Santhosh highlighted that technological shifts can open up space for us to build new skills and explore our creativity. "AI is not a threat but an opportunity to refocus on what makes us uniquely human—our ability to connect, innovate, and adapt," he emphasized. As the landscape changes, those who see disruption as an opportunity will thrive.
4. Create Human-Centric Workplaces: A key theme of the conversation was the importance of human-centric workplaces. Santhosh pointed out that organizations are complex systems, but at their heart, they are made up of people. For organizations to succeed, they must prioritize the well-being and connection of their employees. "We build connections when we don't need them so that when we do need them, they are there," Santhosh shared. Whether you’re leading a team or managing your own career, it’s essential to cultivate environments where people feel supported, respected, and valued. This is where true innovation, happiness, and growth stem from. When employees feel connected and valued, they are more engaged, productive, and willing to contribute their best ideas.

7 Practical Tips from Santhosh Babu:

1. Embrace Curiosity: Stay curious about the world and never stop learning. Growth comes when you're open to new experiences and risks.
2. Build Social Capital: Relationships are your most valuable asset. Invest in them before you need them.
3. Align Actions with Purpose: Don't confuse busyness with progress. Make sure your work aligns with your deeper values.
4. Nurture Leadership: Whether you're a formal leader or not, lead by example. Inspire others by standing for something bigger than yourself.
5. Adapt to Change: See every shift—whether it’s AI, new workplace dynamics, or personal changes—as an opportunity to learn and grow.
6. Practice Mindfulness: Slow down. Take time to reflect and ask if your actions are aligned with your purpose. Simple practices like deep breathing can help regain focus.
7. Be Human-Centric: Whether you lead a team or work solo, remember that organizations are made of people. Prioritize human connections and well-being.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

This episode is packed with insights that can inspire and challenge you to think about your career and your organization and how to cultivate a deeper sense of purpose in both. Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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?? What's Next?

Mark your calendars for September 26th, 2024, when I will host yet another inspiring guest who has successfully navigated career shifts. Stay tuned for more practical insights and inspiring stories that can help you grow in your career and adapt to the rapidly evolving world of work.

Until then, keep shifting forward and upward. Tune in on LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, and let’s continue this journey of growth and innovation together!

#CareerShifts #Leadership #Mindfulness #FutureOfWork #OD #Innovation #Growth