Footprints from Formative Years
We grew up with a lot of books around us at home and
in an environment that stimulated and encouraged intellectual debate. The
strongest driving force and the earliest influence which helped me become the
person I am today was ‘curiosity’. My natural curiosity to
know about how the world works, how
people live in different parts of the world, about travel, and essentially
about all aspects of life - helped me become the person I am today. I am
blessed to have had a childhood where this natural drive of curiosity was not
stifled, either by my parents or by my school. This enabled me to develop a
broad, mature, and balanced worldview that went far beyond a purely academic
perspective.
Beyond the Barricades
When
being asked about my hardship, I am reminded of two difficult decisions in my
life. The first one was leaving my job in the US with Marriott International,
which was my first job after graduating from The Hotel School in Sydney. I left
my job and moved back to India, to look after my father who had just six more
months to live because he was suffering from cancer. It was one of the toughest
and most emotional decisions I have ever had to take. I was just 21, but I am
glad that I decided to do the right thing; to be with my father in his last
days and take care of the family after we lost him in February 2002.
My second difficult decision was leaving a safe and
comfortable career in the hospitality industry in the UK and relocating back to
India in 2007. This time, to be an entrepreneur, and to follow my calling of
serving my fellow citizens. It was tough because I had no prior business
experience and I knew the outcome in businesses is unpredictable. Yet, it has
been a rewarding journey. Over the last 14 years, it has enabled me to reach
millions of people in the farthest corners of this country whether in person or
via digital mediums and share my knowledge, ideas and inspiration with them.
Embarking onto the Entrepreneurial Journey
Eight
years in five different countries, working with more than 50 nationalities has
taught me more than any university could ever have. That is why I am hugely
indebted to the hospitality industry. It taught me hospitality - to work with a
smile even when you are under stress. Even when a lot of demands are being
placed on you, to still keep your patience and to work with a smile, to be
hospitable to those around you. I learned some very powerful lessons in
customer service, like- interpersonal skills, leadership skills, problem-solving
skills, negotiation skills, working in a multicultural environment, and more. I can say that the hospitality
industry has nourished the entrepreneurial drive in me. I wouldn’t be the
person that I am today if I wouldn’t have had the opportunity of working in
different parts of the world with some of the leading hotel companies in some
very challenging yet rewarding environments.
Importance of
Right Mindset
Leaders
already know what’s right and what’s wrong. What they do need is an opportunity
to reflect.
Some of my strongest strategies are aimed at giving leaders the space and a
medium to reflect on what’s working and what’s not. Then they take help of the
tools to pivot into the direction of how to make it work well and the mindset
to sustain the change. Without a mindset change, everything else becomes
temporary. When leaders do this inner work on themselves, they lay the
foundation of a strong productive culture, which is bound to achieve superior
business performance. A better culture starts with better leaders with the
right mindset.
Sources of Powerful Lessons
The
teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus and the teachings in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib
have been my strongest source of inspiration. My spiritual practice and
Gurubani have been my strongest mentors. The most valuable lesson I have learned
from my spiritual practices is, to “believe in yourself”. Be humble and
grateful, even during difficult times. Be thankful to the Almighty for all that
you still have and finally, to serve fellow human beings, to live your life
with a service mindset. Sikhism is based on three principles - kirat karo (work
hard), naam japo (meditate on the Lord’s name) and wand chakho (share /
distribute what you have). So these are the guiding principles that have helped
me bounce back during difficult times.
