Career Shifts: Insights from Episode 9 with Tarun Nallu

Have you ever wondered what it takes to navigate multiple career transitions successfully?

First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who tuned in yesterday for the Career Shifts podcast! Your engagement and enthusiasm are the lifeblood of this podcast. Whether you joined us live or caught up later, your presence and participation make our community thrive. I am truly grateful for your support.

I must also thank LinkedIn for providing us with a platform to interact with incredible leaders and learn from their stories.

Thursday evenings are getting even more interesting when it comes to having chats with people who have had interesting journeys.

The episode was particularly special because I featured Tarun Nallu , a dear friend and mentor for over 13 years. I have also admired him for his journey filled with confidence, resilience, grit, and perseverance.

Tarun is an award-winning management consultant and investment professional listed among the Top 40 entrepreneurs in Singapore. Today, Tarun is Director - Key Accounts (APAC) at Coursera.

Tarun's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, clarity, and courage in achieving career success.

Let’s dive into some of the critical highlights and insights from our conversation.

Tarun’s Journey and Pivotal Moments

Tarun shared his diverse career path, starting as a chemical engineer, moving into banking with HSBC, transitioning to HR at Infosys, and later stepping into strategy and business innovation at Deloitte. His journey took another turn as he joined Google to build their global research function and eventually co-founded his own firm, leading it to a successful exit in 2020. Currently, he heads strategic accounts for Coursera in Singapore.

Having known Tarun for the last decade, I can surely say that throughout his career, Tarun has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to pivot and adapt. From engineering to banking, HR, strategy, and now education technology, his career is a blueprint for anyone looking to make significant shifts in their professional life.

He attributed much of his success to a combination of strategic thinking, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

Here are some key insights and Takeaways

1. Embrace Change with Clarity and Courage:

Tarun emphasized the importance of clarity and courage in making career shifts. He highlighted how each transition required him to upskill and adapt, demonstrating that being clear about your goals and having the courage to pursue them is crucial. For example, moving from engineering to banking was a leap that required a fundamental shift in mindset and skillset.

2. The Role of Continuous Learning:

Continuous learning has been a cornerstone of Tarun’s career. He has consistently sought to acquire new skills, whether it’s Six Sigma certification or independent director’s certification. His advice: always be a keen learner and keep evolving. Tarun believes that every year should be marked by learning something new, whether it’s a professional skill or a personal hobby. This is something that I have followed to the T!

3. Leadership Without Titles:

According to Tarun, leadership is not about titles or designations but about behavior and actions. He believes that true leaders make others leaders and inspire those around them, regardless of their formal position. He shared anecdotes from his time at Infosys, where his approach to just-in-time hiring and campus recruitment was more akin to sales than traditional HR, showcasing his innovative leadership style.

4. Networking with Purpose:

Building a network with a purpose was another crucial aspect Tarun discussed. He highlighted the importance of being open, seeking advice, and learning from others. Networking is not just about connections but about meaningful relationships that can guide and support your career journey. His experiences at Deloitte and Google, where he built and led teams across the globe, underscored the importance of having a robust professional network.

5. Financial Literacy for All:

Tarun stressed the importance of financial literacy for every professional. Understanding business finance helps in making informed decisions and provides a clearer picture of how organizations operate. He recommended that every professional, regardless of their field, have a basic understanding of corporate finance to better navigate their careers and make strategic decisions.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Tarun's journey as an entrepreneur was filled with challenges and learnings. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs includes:

• Start Now: Don’t wait for the perfect business plan. Start with what you have and refine it as you go. He shared how he and his co-founder began with a simple idea and iteratively improved it through feedback and real-world application.
• Customer-Centric Solutions: Work with those facing the problem to create a scalable solution. In his early days at Infosys, where he identified skill gaps and developed recruitment strategies, Tarun highlighted the importance of being in tune with the market’s needs.
• Build Fundamentally Strong Businesses: Focus on building a business that adds value and is sustainable rather than solely chasing funding. He recounted how his firm, despite initial funding challenges, focused on delivering value, which eventually attracted investors and led to a successful exit.

Reflecting on Mentorship

Tarun has been my mentor for the last 13 years, guiding me through significant career decisions. His mentoring has been invaluable, always challenging me to think beyond the present and consider future possibilities. Tarun himself has been mentored by several individuals throughout his career, highlighting the importance of having mentors who provide perspective, guidance, and support.

Mentorship Lessons:

• Guidance and Support: Mentors provide critical guidance and support, helping navigate complex decisions and challenges. Tarun’s own mentors included industry leaders and experienced professionals who offered invaluable advice and encouragement.
• Learning from Others: Mentors can offer insights and perspectives that you might not have considered, helping you see the bigger picture. Tarun’s mentor at Infosys, for example, helped him transition from operations to HR, a move that significantly shaped his career.
• Being a Mentor: Tarun also stressed the importance of being a mentor and giving back. He has mentored many professionals, helping them navigate their own career shifts and achieve their goals.

Key Takeaways for the Audience

1. Think Fast, Speak Slow, Listen Hard: This mantra from Tarun encapsulates the essence of effective communication and decision-making. It’s about being thoughtful in your responses, quick in your thinking, and attentive in your listening.
2. Be Open to Learning: Constantly seek new knowledge and skills to stay relevant and adaptable. Tarun’s journey is a testament to the power of continuous learning and staying ahead of industry trends.
3. Network with Intent: Build meaningful relationships that can support your career growth. Networking is not just about making connections but about building relationships that add value and provide support.

Tune In Next Week

Don’t miss our next episode on July 11th, where we will feature yet another inspiring guest who has successfully navigated career transformations. Our guest next week has an incredible story of overcoming obstacles and achieving remarkable success, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to make a significant career shift.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Career Shifts. Watch the full episode with Tarun Nallu for more in-depth insights, and be ready to join us next week for more remarkable stories. Keep shifting forward!

Stay connected and keep the conversation going.

Follow me, Gopal A Iyer , on LinkedIn and share your thoughts on this episode. Until next time, keep evolving and pushing the boundaries of your career and keep shifting forward!

Thank you Priyanka Murthy , Swapna Korla , Tripti Dixit Chaitra Ashok , Jerryd Peter Marian Danny , SANKAR SUBRAMANYAM , Sharon Gal-Or , Dr. Prashant Iyer , Sreelekha Namboodiri , Thirumalesh Kumar A S , Sudeepto Saha , Shailly Kapoor (CISA, CISM) , Tajudeen Adetunji , and Venkata Shravan Kumar Pagolu for joining us yesterday