To New Beginnings

A new start is always a great opportunity to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. And what better time than the year-end, a celebration of a fabulous journey at SAP, and start of the next one at Myntra Jabong.

As I reflect on my journey and more specifically, the year gone past, there were a few observations and learnings which stand out. Needless to say, I am still learning and trying to make a conscious effort to assimilate and make these a way of life. Sharing these with you here:

Find your ‘North Star’ – finding our core is a journey of self-discovery, and there are no shortcuts here. Learning about oneself, our assumptions, biases, fears, dreams, and hopes is a continuous process, accelerated somewhat by reflection, and having trusted people around us to show us the mirror. Some of this learning is through experiences which may be painful and difficult. As Mary L Bean says “the days you are most uncomfortable are the days you learn the most about yourself” .

These values and tenets form the first principles, and it is important to discover what we stand for. These values define our actions when tough choices are to be made. They become our ‘north star’. For me, the 3 values which I hold dear are Authenticity, Respect and Commitment. It is also important to be able to flex our natural style if the situation demands. It does not mean that we are not being true to our values, it only means that we are consciously adopting a different style which the situation demands. E.g. an ‘empowering’ style may be counterproductive in a crisis and vice versa.

Be a better version of yourself – some of my personal favourite reflection questions are “what am I learning?” and “Am I growing enough”? If the answer to either one of these questions are unsatisfactory, it pushes me to evaluate my situation, and identify opportunities to make a change. This could also mean a change of mindset, where I may have under-leveraged or overlooked an existing opportunity. 

Also, I have learnt along the way that there is a significant difference between trying to observe & learn from someone and trying to be someone. Always strive to be a better ‘you’, not what others want you to be, and not a copy of someone you admire. As Oscar Wild says “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” 

Balance new ideas with great execution - In today’s fast and dynamic environment, there are so many new ideas which are exciting to experiment with and pursue. New frontiers in technology have enabled what would not have been possible even 5 years also, and there is more to come. To realize the true potential of a great idea, it needs thoughtful planning, followed by systematic execution, combined with perseverance to follow through. And while executing, the ability to learn, unlearn and adapt along the way is essential. As Steve Jobs says, “Greatness is more than potential, it requires skillful execution of that potential”

Choices are not final or fatal – For most of my career choices, I have been told by at least a few people, with my very best interest at heart, that I am making a mistake. It is heartening to hear this, because I know that the people who take the time to say this, really care. My belief is that it is not the choice, but what we do with the choice that matters more. Decision to pursue something plays the least role in defining your success or failure. It is the courage and perseverance to follow through on the decisions which counts. 

Trust goes a long way – Lastly, and, by no measure any less important, this is the foundation of all we do. In my opinion, trust begets trust. So, start from a place of trust, whether it is a new relationship, or a situation. Of course, this means that there are times we will be disappointed. It is still a better place to be, than be constantly looking over our shoulder. And, when it works, we end up with great relationships, which go a long way.Also, trust is fragile - once broken, we may be able to recover it, but cracks remain. So, we must handle the trust placed on us by others with utmost care, regard and humility.

With these thoughts, as I start my new adventure, I am looking forward to new possibilities, a year of learning, meeting new people and building some trusted relationships. And, wish you all the best in finding your North Star(s) and being a better version of yourselves.