Time for Gratitude

Thanksgiving messages were all over social media platforms this week. They made me sit and reflect on all that I am thankful for in my life and was reminded of this quote by Zig Ziglar – “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”

So, let me take the opportunity and express gratitude to five people who immediately come to my mind when I think of my work life. I have been blessed to work with amazing colleagues for awesome companies like OSRAM, Allianz, and SAP – which makes it tough to narrow down the long list to five. My heart-felt "Thank You” to every person who I have had the honor to work with in the last 20 years.

Chips Chipalkatti – I had just graduated with an MBA in August 2001 and was all set to conquer the world. I remember having many job offers. And then 9/11 happened and all the offers were gone within a month. That’s when you showed up as a blessing from above and hired me. I learnt so much about innovation and marketing from you- Thank You Chips for doing what mattered… your kind act put me on a path of success!

Heather Loisel – You will always remain my platinum standard of a manager who leads a team with compassion. You hired me for a role based on my potential and attitude and not the number of years of experience. And you pushed me to very high limits… and were always there to catch me in case of a fall. My girls know all my Heather stories, and every time I have a new manager, their first question is – “Is she/he as good as Heather?”. You taught me confidence, to believe in myself, and gave me wings Heather! Thank you will never be enough for the impact you have had in my life!

Ferose V R – You are the only person in the world that I know, who signs off his emails and letters with “With gratitude”! Your trust in people, your belief in the goodness of everyone, your generosity are worth aspiring for. I still remember when I asked you why you hired me… your answer was – For your PHD… Passion, Hunger, and Drive. You have taught me to follow my heart and always do what I feel is right. I will always be grateful for all I have learned from you – I like to believe that you have made me a better person.

Isabel Ayala – You have been my real partner in crime at work. We built an amazing legacy together and I feel so blessed to have had you on my side in this journey. You supported me, you challenged me, you helped me, you were there – no questions asked! Thank you so much Isabel – this will be a journey to remember.

Oliver Hehl – You have always given me the space and time I needed to succeed in all my jobs in the past 14 years. You have been there when I needed to vent, when I needed advice, or just a cup of tea during one of the night-shifts! Thank you for being my better two third!

And a bonus one! Shani Ospina - You showed up at the time I was looking for answers outside and showed me to look for them inside me. Your coaching changed my perspective and made so many blind spots visible. Thanks for helping me refind my strenghts and passion!

I sign-off... WITH GRATITUDE… tons of it! 

#gratitude #thanksgiving #lifelonglearning #compassion #trust #lifeatsap