Crucial Success Skills Forged Through My Journey
When I started my journey, I was a naïve 16-year-old who had to pay for school fees through the tuition classes for other students. Eventually, I was hired by a corporation as a part of their corporate communication team member to clear up their invoices and liaise with the finance team. Slowly and steadily, I moved up the ladder as I was willing to take on any task, big or small, and I was always eager to learn and grow. I was persistent and passionate about learning new things and, more importantly, resilient enough to see things through. Whenever I faced a problem, I went up for a solution for my manager with options. Sometimes, they chose one of the two and gave me a solution.
Over the years, I also realized that it's about the human connection and strengthening that relationship whether you are a working professional or an entrepreneur. From streamlining processes to saving money for the brand while creating more impact to travelling to Universities, making pitches and hiring for a BPO, launching the brand in the Philippines, and starting my own business, I have come a long way.
There have been challenging times, but I have always believed that "This too shall pass." So, as a leader, don't let your win go to your head or your loss go to your heart, as this too shall pass. Keep your humility intact, but always have a solution mindset. The only thing in life you should avoid is Regret.
Crafting Creative Opportunities from Every Challenge
Approaching adversity involves a combination of resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and grow from the experience. You must maintain a positive mindset despite challenges. I remember being selected by the top 2 Universities in Australia, and my extended family was going to fund my education. However, that year, the Australian Government changed the rules, and I could not move abroad. My choice was either to sit and cry or explore alternatives. I cried my heart out from Churchgate to Khar. Still, after that, I focused on saving and today, I am a Mass communication graduate and a digital communication professional from MICA.
After my daughter's arrival, I took a sabbatical. The top IT company was not ready to release me as I was a high-performing individual. However, I was clear, my focus was my daughter. The CHRO took it to his ego and ensured I was not given my bonus. But I still had to take the next step and move from Delhi to Bombay.
A couple of years later, I joined a manufacturing company and worked my way up. I have always learnt from setbacks. They offer an opportunity for growth and learning. Reflect on what went wrong and what could have been done differently, and use those insights to improve your approach in the future. Secondly, we must stay adaptable. Adversity often requires flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Being open to new ideas and approaches can help find creative solutions to overcome obstacles. Lastly, stay focused on goals. An eye on your objectives can provide motivation and direction during tough times.
Overall, overcoming challenges has taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning in navigating life's ups and downs. Even a heartbeat goes up and down. It shows that you are alive.
My Impact
Since we came together, my husband and I have supported girl child education through case and support. Professionally, I worked with a social sector organization, which exposed me to "the inconsistencies people face and the protected and privileged lives we live." It was an eye-opener. Further, once our daughter came into our lives, we realized that children learn from what they see, not what you teach them.
I started seeing giving back to the community as necessary for the community's well-being and personal growth and fulfilment. And it starts from your home. Ensuring that all your house helpers got paid every single month, addressing their medical needs and ensuring ration at their homes during the lockdown COVID was something we ensured, and I believe a lot of people did. We also were feeding people experiencing poverty, every day consistently delivering chai and snacks to officers on duty, and providing medical support like taking senior citizens to hospital from the community who were suffering from life-threatening diseases; I think it brought out a very natural and humane side to all of us.
Acts of kindness and generosity have a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same. By leading by example and demonstrating the importance of giving back, individuals can encourage others to join in and contribute to collective efforts for positive change. Recently, I lost my aunt to a severe heart attack. It was traumatic as we had to break open the door. The police officers who came to check and file report, some of them remembered me serving them from COVID days. They extended all support and guided us through this painful journey. And that's why I say - " it always comes around - your karma".
Another story - I had a team member in a media company who came from a complex background. Father was an auto driver, mother made papad and three sisters and a brother. She needed to be more confident. Over the years, I counselled her and, through words and actions, encouraged her to learn, experiment grow, be proud of her background and much more. I was so happy when during her reference check, her prospective Manager spoke to me and said, "She told me that her father still earns by driving an auto and that her brother and sisters now work in different organizations. But to come out in the open and speak candidly and proudly about her family background, Kriti you have been the enabler." It wasn't the praise only, but the fact that what my erstwhile team member saw as a flaw, she was using it as her strength now.
Scaling New Heights in Personal and Professional Triumphs
Success is subjective, as it varies from person to person. What is critical is to define what success means to you personally and regularly evaluate your progress toward achieving that. I can measure it in many ways, depending on my goals, values, and circumstances. Earning a salary of XY, starting my entrepreneurial journey, and becoming a Fellow at Vital Voices enhanced my global network. But for me, feeling fulfilled and satisfied with one's life and accomplishments is a crucial indicator of success.
This means having a sense of purpose, happiness, and overall well-being in various aspects of life, such as relationships, health, and personal growth. When my partner and I thought of starting Shabd AI, we had nothing in place. But then, to set up the building blocks, get revenue flowing, have a supportive spouse, juggle between office and school and relatives and other things - life could not be better. I am much happier, I know where I am heading, and I don't feel burdened at all despite running all the time.
The Synergy Between My Path and Recognition Values
An award is always special as it signifies recognition and validation of one's efforts, achievements, and contributions. It acknowledges hard work, talent, and dedication, which can be gratifying and affirming. Winning this award will motivate and inspire me to continue pursuing excellence, setting higher goals, and making further contributions to the ecosystem. Moreover, this award will enhance my credibility and trustworthiness, signalling to others that I have been a silent worker yet recognized by experts for expertise, quality, and impact. I have always worked towards providing accurate, helpful, and insightful information while aiming to exceed expectations and provide value to others.
This award embodies the spirit of excellence and achievement. The principles and attributes of this award resonate with how I approach my role, interact with them, and make a difference in their lives and my daily lives. I have always loved this line - yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. This award will be the best gift I will give to myself for living every single day without any regrets. I am who I am because of the choices I made and I would not change any aspect or any experience - good or not so good.