Long-Term Greed – It’s Worth it!
As I settle into my seat on yet another long-haul flight back home, I cant help but feel a sense of anticipation. The hum of the engines and the distant chatter of fellow passengers create a unique atmosphere, one that has always sparked my creativity. Its during these uninterrupted hours in the sky that I find the perfect sanctuary to pen my thoughts and give life to thoughts and ideas swirling within my mind. In these fleeting moments suspended between destinations, my mind takes flight, and the words flow effortlessly, a testament to the boundless inspiration that long journeys offer.
This week I had the great fortune and opportunity of attending my first ever VP offsite at our HQ and was told in advance that I should spend a few minutes introducing myself and talking about by journey at Nutanix. As I started to think about what I should talk about, I was clear in moments that I should talk about my firm belief in the term ‘long term greed’ which I first heard many years back when I read about Gus Levy from Goldman Sachs.
In an era marked by the rapid rise of job-hopping and the allure of instant gratification, there exists a breed of professionals who believe in the philosophy of long-term greed. These individuals, including myself, have pursued careers characterized by steadfast commitment to a limited number of employers over extended periods. In a journey spanning two decades, I have made just 2 job changes, and have firmly believed that this path has granted me a profound foundation and wisdom that transcends the allure of short-term gains.
My journey began straight out of graduation around 19 years ago at NewWave, my first employer, where I cut my teeth in the corporate world. I remember it like it was yesterday – not going for any of the college placement interviews from the big four because all I wanted to do was sales and after much follow up with my campus placement officer, he pointed me to a company looking at freshers for a sales role. The salary was a third of what was being offered by any of the big four and I remember calling my oldest brother Atif and mentioned to him that I am interviewing in a company called NewWave as a sales rep to sell PC’s and laptops. He quickly made a couple of phone calls and said he hears good things about them, and I should go all out in the interview. Next thing I know I am sitting in front of Vasu who remains my mentor till date, and he offered me the job subject to one condition – I need to join the next day. The only problem was I had not even written my final university exams to which he graciously offered me 14 days leave to take my exams. I grabbed it and managed to do decently well in my exams too. Secured decent grades which as on date I don’t even precisely recollect.
The experiences I gained during my time there laid the foundation for everything that followed. It was a place where one had to earn their stripes, where securing appointments were hard-fought, and collecting pending payments sometimes felt like an endless endeavor. These challenges instilled in me a sense of perseverance and resilience that would prove invaluable in the years to come. They taught me that success is rarely served on a silver platter; it is earned through hard work, perseverance, and tenacity. While to most it seemed logical, I should move onto multinational corporation after spending a couple of years at NewWave, something within me felt my learning curve and the opportunity I was being provided was way more than I will find in a large company.
Eventually six years later, I made the transition to EMC, and it was apparent that my time at NewWave had equipped me with a unique perspective. What some of my colleagues found challenging often felt manageable and comfortable to me. My ability to navigate through complex situations and my unwavering commitment to my role at EMC soon earned me recognition and respect within and outside the organization. I was a top performing rep in the commercial business, and I remember hearing about an opportunity within EMC to manage Wipro as a relationship nationally. Only challenge was my net earnings will be cut into almost half as the opportunity to have significant overachievement wouldn’t exist. And true to my fear I remember my good friend who also happens to be my chartered accountant calling me out of concern as I was making way lesser money on my form 16 for a good 2 years. But the role to manage Wipro gave me access to senior exec meetings and firsthand learning on how deals are structured in the banking and government business. I was also very lucky to have phenomenal leadership guiding me through this role and eventually it’s my work in this role which had me noticed and got approached by Nutanix.
Fast forward to the present, and I find myself amid an almost eight-year tenure at Nutanix thus far. These years have been marked by numerous challenges and moments of self-doubt, but they have also been profoundly rewarding. Like any professional, I have faced distractions and enticing job opportunities outside of Nutanix. Luckily, I am surrounded with teammates who by virtue of being top talent are always on the receiving end of great opportunities and yet choose to stay invested and this is a gentle reminder that my chosen path too is certainly worth the trouble. Therefore, my unwavering commitment to Nutanix and in its long-term potential keeps me excited, hungry, and at times vulnerable. In return the company has more than returned the favour and has gone above and beyond to recognize and reward me.
In a world where instant gratification is often the order of the day, I have come to appreciate the power of long-term greed. Its a mindset that prioritizes enduring value over short-lived pleasures. It acknowledges that the journey to success is not a sprint but a marathon, and that true growth and fulfillment come from investing time and effort into something meaningful.
As I often encounter many talented young professionals who seek instant success, I am reminded that there is no substitute for the wisdom and growth that come from long-term commitment. In a world where instant gratification may be the norm, I firmly believe that long-term greed will always triumph over short-term gratification in the grand scheme of a long and fulfilling career.
Enterprise Architect - Azure, Aws, Google, IBM Cloud, Openshift, Docker, Kubernetes, Linux/SUSE, DevOps, Oracle, SAP, DR & IT Resilience
1 年Exceptionally crafted Sir, The NewWave journey has consistently been an aspiration for countless individuals, serving as the bedrock upon which our careers have been built. As a former NewWavie, I take immense pride in our association and your continuous inspiration. Your exceptional approach to managing both The clients and individuals sets a remarkable standard; not everyone can achieve the same level of excellence as you do.
Leader, Mentor , Business & Sales Strategist , Entrepreneur
1 年Nice one Faiz.....keep writing.
Director- Channel, OEM-Alliances & Distribution - Emerging Markets at Nutanix
1 年100% agree Faiz Shakir , staying invested always pays off.
Great journey indeed ! Well articulated! Keep soaring .
Chief Enabler | Transforming Organizational Leadership | Holistic Abundance Advocate
1 年Aaha... Faiz, your flow of words is amazing... needless to mention the content and the intent behind the article... Thanks for sharing this. I wish you could cover the transition between individual contributor to a people manager which comes so naturally to you yet it is not the same story for everyone... (cue for another long post)