You & Me : 25 & Counting

25yrs have gone by in a blink. Or it seems.

What could have been any other day, busy buzzing around with Qtr end closures, next quarter hustle, & plan for the next 3yrs, transformed into something I will remember & cherish for lifetime. For in those few moments, I realized the importance of being Me - Me with various people, Me in various relations, Me in & with multiple functions, Me in different roles. And, Me for the company.

For Me things happen in PDCA loop - plan, do, check, act. And a virtuous cycle of learn, improve, and move on.

So, 3rd Jan 2025 was just like any other day, having started with stuff to do. Followed by lunch, including our interesting table banter. And then walk back to my place to get on with the rest of the day.

That walk back changed the day for Me!

As I entered the studio, striding towards my cabin, thoughts in my head of what else, what next, I was welcomed with thunderous applause (a little bit of exaggeration though it was actually loud) from my colleagues who had taken time to be there, in person - from different buildings / offices / locations (across geos), including our MD & CEO, the SLT. Many joined over Teams. They were there for Me!

And what followed were reflections of Me, in their words. And in those moments, filled with emotions, I truly felt proud of being Me.

Woah! What a journey it has been. Professionally, born, brought up & matured (I believe so ??) in #Tata family, #TataElxsi.? From, in my naivety as fresher, 25years back, wondering how could someone spend & survive even 5yrs in an Organization (there were few who had crossed that threshold when I started), to being here. With a pat on my back (my own & many others) to say “these have been 25 glorious years of friendships, achievements, growth, through a virtuous cycle of learning & development”. Not 1yr experience repeated 25 times or 2yrs 12 times and so on, but compounding effect of yearly experience over 25yrs. That’s Me.

But who is Me? Me can’t be without You. Reflecting deep down, Me is lot more - its You, it’s Us, it’s We. For, the Us, the We, have shaped Me. Beyond mentoring, coaching, guiding. Accepting, adapting, & adopting to Me. Not tolerating! But most of the time Celebrating Me.

Me who is “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly !!” - different faces, differing time, different proportions, but same Me ??.

Ask that one colleague who immediately acknowledged when I said these few words ??. And an SLT member chiming in that it just gets more & more ??.

An open secret, something I share with everyone who works with me - existing & new - working with Me is an experience - usually a lifetime one. Better said in my words than others - it’s motivating (or so I believe) ??. And why share? Let’s face it, You are going to have a lot of FaceTime with Me. And We have to succeed together. So You better know Me, and I know You.

<< Brave are those who knowingly come aboard to experience the hospitality of this Me.? And many, if not all, go back with rave reviews (self aggrandising - ??). Of course there are critics. Without them, Me will be a matter of Yesterday, a past tense - very soon. Critics are rich with perspectives & feedback,? valuable, thought provoking insights >>

Operating word here is - “Celebrating” !!! Me, You, Us, We!!

Why You may ask? Cause, Me who always advocates You, believes in You.? For Me, it always starts with You. The You follows your team. And the Team follows the Department. And then comes the Organization. It’s You first!

Why? You have to believe in thyself, strive to be the best, to grow & develop, with the hunger & passion that is needed for You to become a better version of You, both professionally & personally. The grit to go over & above, far & beyond. With that, You will lead Us, all of Us. Making Us proud of You.

And, that You is none other than Me reflecting back in the mirror of family, friends, colleagues, society. They are the mirror who show You Me (that’s You)!

So is Me Difficult?? Maybe. Challenging, Definitely! Impossible?? No, Never? Why? How? Simple - I M Possible! Me is Present! Cherish it - it’s a “Gift”??.

And that’s Me for You!!

So, this Me is because of You. All of You - current & past managers, current & past team members, current & ex Elxisans ( #…,) All my family & friends, All my customers & partners, All my co-learners, my alumni (school, college), Everyone in my network, Everyone I interacted with. So, from bottom of my heart, thanks for being You who made Me. And, special thanks to my current team, my HR for making this so much memorable!

On that note, for many more of such wonderful years of You & Me!!

#TataElxsi #TELUMNI #KLESCET #IDV