Childhood
Influences and Love for Learning
I had a very healthy and loving childhood, shaped
by the environment I grew up in. My father, a nuclear scientist, and my mother,
a teacher—both now retired—ensured that my sister and I were raised with a
strong emphasis on education, discipline, and independent thinking. We grew up
in colonies meant for Nuclear Power Corporation employees, located far from
cities, where the communities were self-sufficient and filled with scientists,
engineers, and technicians from across the country. This meant we had a
cosmopolitan upbringing, where we were exposed to diverse cultures,
perspectives, and ways of thinking.
Growing up in these townships also meant growing up
surrounded by nature, which nurtured a sense of wonder and appreciation for
both science and the environment. Education was about observing the world,
asking questions, and making connections between what we learned and what we
saw around us. Our upbringing encouraged both structure and exploration, and
that balance became a foundation for how I approached learning throughout my
life.
The strong focus on education, combined with my
parents’ emphasis on self-reliance, and adaptability, made me naturally
inclined toward academic excellence. My father instilled the importance of
perseverance, while my mother nurtured creativity, communications and emotional
intelligence. They encouraged us to stay curious, to seek knowledge beyond
textbooks, and to develop a habit of lifelong learning.
This upbringing shaped me into someone who values
both science and art, and I think I have blended these beautifully in my
journey—from engineering to management to communications and entrepreneurship.
It also taught me that success is not just about being academically strong but
about being able to learn, unlearn, and evolve. That mindset has stayed with me
through every phase of my career.
The Journey from
NIT Surat to IIM Ahmedabad
I have always been a steady, intelligent
student—never the topper, but consistent in my performance. Transitioning from
high school to engineering was smooth for me. Living on campus, studying with
bright peers from across the country, and handling a tough discipline like
electrical engineering gave me confidence. I faced challenges, flunked a couple
of exams, but always bounced back. By the end of four years, I believed I had
figured out how to manage academic pressure.
Getting into IIM Ahmedabad was a rigorous
process—clearing CAT, acing interviews, and surviving group discussions. When I
received my admission letter, I felt ready. But within the first two days, I
realized getting in was just the beginning—the real challenge was surviving the
course.
I was in a batch of 220 students, some of the
brightest minds in the country. Many had deep expertise in finance and
business, areas I had never formally studied. The relative grading system meant
that even when I put in my best effort, I was competing against those with
prior knowledge, and my grades reflected that. The first year was incredibly
tough—relentless coursework, sleep deprivation, and the constant pressure to
keep up took a toll on my confidence.
Imposter syndrome crept in, and without much
awareness about mental health at the time, I had to find my own ways to cope.
Conversations with friends who were also struggling, support from professors,
and sheer perseverance helped me get through.
But if I could go back, I would remind myself—and
anyone facing similar struggles—that health must always come first. Everything
else is transient, and sometimes, letting go is also an option. Seeking help is
not a sign of weakness but a step toward sustaining yourself for the long
journey ahead.
Entering the
Corporate World – Challenges and Realizations
When I was at IIM Ahmedabad, I never really thought
about how the majority of the workforce would not be from IIMs. The real world
is a mix of people from different backgrounds, and I quickly realized that once
you are out in the open, you have to prove yourself all over again. The premium
badge might open doors, but it does not guarantee success. You have to adapt,
collaborate, and continuously prove your worth.
The second big realization came when I entered the
job market. Many of us assumed that an IIM degree would provide stability, but
within a few months of joining our first jobs, half of my batch—including
me—lost their roles due to economic downturns and restructuring. That was a
harsh reality check. Resilience became the most critical skill—not just in
bouncing back but in learning how to network, pivot, and stay relevant in a
rapidly changing market.
Despite that setback, I went on to have an
incredibly steady career, spending 15 years at Bank of America. But what made
that longevity possible was my ability to reinvent myself. I never stayed
stagnant. I actively sought opportunities, asked for roles, built strong
relationships, and sought out sponsors who could advocate for me. I stayed
engaged with industry trends and made sure I was always learning.
I firmly believe that agility and adaptability are the real career superpowers. A great education gives you a strong start, but what truly sustains a long and impactful career is the ability to evolve. The workplace is always changing, and the professionals who stay ahead are the ones willing to step outside their comfort zones and keep growing.
The Leap into
Entrepreneurship and Founding PeopleIQ
Entrepreneurship was never part of a grand plan for
me—it was something that life nudged me toward. After spending 18 years in
corporate leadership roles, I lost my job. That break forced me to slow down
and reflect on what I wanted to do next. While I had the option of looking for
another corporate role, something in me wanted to try something different.
Thankfully, I had a strong network. Some friends
who had already started their entrepreneurial journeys shared their best
practices, while others who were still in jobs took a chance on me and became
my first clients. I started by reaching out to close contacts, offering to help
build their thought leadership on LinkedIn—something I had done extensively in
my corporate roles. That gave me my first set of projects.
I was able to take this leap because I had a
financial cushion—severance pay, savings, and a supportive husband. But more
importantly, I gained confidence when my business partner joined me.
Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and having someone to build with made all the
difference.
PeopleIQ’s Vision
and Impact
For Individual
Leaders - Leadership today is not just about expertise—it is
about influence, visibility, and the ability to communicate effectively. At
PeopleIQ, we help professionals craft a strong leadership narrative that
enhances their executive presence, builds credibility, and positions them as
industry thought leaders.
For Organizations -
For enterprises, PeopleIQ serves as a strategic
partner in leadership development, employer branding, and talent engagement. We
help Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and large organizations build leadership
pipelines, strengthen HR strategies, and position their executives as industry
leaders.
Balancing Personal
and Professional Life
I have not lived a life shaped by traditional
societal expectations, but the pressure I experienced was the one I placed on
myself. My corporate career was deeply intertwined with my identity. I put so
much of myself into my work that when I lost my corporate job, I felt like I
had lost a part of who I was. I didn’t know what to do with my time, and for
the first time in my life, I felt adrift.
That experience taught me a powerful lesson—our
careers are just one part of who we are.
Even now, with changing market dynamics, economic
downturns, AI disruptions, and senior roles being impacted, I see incredibly
talented people struggling to find their footing. To them, I would say this—if
you have your health and time, you have everything you need to rebuild.
Careers are long, and no one is immune to setbacks.
The most successful professionals I know are not the ones who have never failed
but the ones who have adapted, evolved, and found new paths even when things
didn’t go as planned.
If I could share one message, it would be this—your
journey is yours alone. Do not measure your progress against external
expectations. Trust yourself, embrace change, and remember that every challenge
is just another step toward growth.