#684
On October 14, 1985, I boarded a train from Karaikudi to Bombay, clutching a job offer that would launch a 40-year journey through a dynamic career. Four decades have passed in a flash, yet the memories remain vivid. Now, at 62, I pause to reflect on the highs, the lessons, and the moments that shaped me—both as a professional and as a person.
What I Cherish
1. Seizing Every Opportunity
The past 40 years have been a thrilling ride, with no room for complaints. I embraced every opportunity that came my way, driven by the belief that you forge your own destiny. From a lab chemist in an environmental lab to managing global operations across continents, each step was a chance to grow, learn, and contribute.
2. Mentorship from Exceptional Leaders
I owe much of my success to the leaders who guided me. They saw potential in me, even when I didn’t see it myself. Their coaching, training, and constructive feedback shaped my career. They challenged me to aim higher, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
3. Visionary Organizations
I was fortunate to work for organizations with clear vision, mission, and values. Integrity was the unspoken rule, and open dialogue was encouraged. The freedom to speak my mind, even when disagreeing, fostered an environment where ideas thrived. We could agree to disagree, debate passionately, and then converge on solutions.
4. Collaborative Colleagues
My colleagues were not just coworkers but partners in growth. We shared mutual respect and learned from one another. Some pushed me to adopt best practices—sometimes with a firm nudge!—and others mentored me through daunting responsibilities. Their influence made me a better professional.
5. Embracing Technology and Innovation
The organizations I worked for adopted new technology with enthusiasm, like fish to water. We were pioneers, tackling challenges in processes, systems, and practices that felt like climbing Mount Everest. Overcoming these hurdles was exhilarating and set the stage for future successes.
6. Global Exposure
Business travel opened my eyes to diverse cultural and professional practices. From learning in the early years to managing and executing projects globally, these experiences humbled me. They crushed any ego I might have had, teaching me to approach work and life with humility and curiosity.
7. Performance-Driven Culture
Performance was the cornerstone of the organizations I served. The mantra was clear: perform or perish. Rewards were generously tied to results, and I have no complaints about the recognition I received for my efforts.
8. Expanding Domains
My work stretched across domains I never imagined exploring. When no one stepped up, my managers volunteered to take on new challenges, trusting me to learn, implement, and succeed. This trust pushed me to master new fields and deliver results.
9. Resilience Through Crisis
The 2007-09 financial crisis tested my resilience. It prompted a bold move in 2012, when I left the corporate world to start my own EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) consulting firm. This shift allowed me to pursue what I believed in, free from organizational constraints. It also gave me the flexibility to prioritize family after 30 years of career-driven focus, adjusting the pace of my life to what mattered most.
10. Lifelong Learning
I had access to an ocean of resources to enhance my knowledge, both professional and personal. Long international flights became my classroom, where I devoured books, articles, and ideas. This learning made me a better manager, a better family man, and, I hope, a decent human being.
What I Could Have Done Better
1. Balancing Family and Career
I have few regrets, but one lingers: the time I missed with my children. From 1992 to 2012, my corporate career consumed me, and before I knew it, Shravan and Radha were in college. My wife, Lalitha, shouldered the responsibility of raising them, and I wish I had contributed more. I visited Shravan’s school only twice—in 2000 and 2012, one of which was mandatory—and barely engaged with Radha’s school. I plan to make up for this by dedicating time to my grandchildren, even if it means pausing or shutting down my consulting business to be with them in San Francisco.
2. Softening My Approach
As a High D personality—dominant and direct—I often prioritized results over relationships. My “my way or the highway” approach, coupled with minimal effort to persuade or influence, sometimes bordered on abrasive. Colleagues and clients gave me feedback about this, and while I thrived in a sunrise industry with endless opportunities, I rarely course-corrected. Even in consulting, I’ve walked away from deals with a blunt “FUCK off.” At 62, do I regret this? I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps I could have been kinder, but it’s hard to say definitively.
The Pillars of My Journey
This 40-year odyssey wouldn’t have been possible without key influences:
My Mother: Her advice to leave South India for Bombay opened doors to growth and opportunity.
Lalitha: Since January 18, 1991, she has been my rock, managing our family and supporting me through every phase.
Interviewers and Mentors: Those who saw potential in a young lab chemist and entrusted me with global responsibilities.
The Almighty: My gut instinct, which I attribute to divine guidance, led me to take intelligent risks that paid off 99 out of 100 times. The one failure? It was life-changing, but I’ve learned to accept it as part of the journey.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on these 40 years, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences, the people, and the growth. My career taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of lifelong learning. Now, I look forward to slowing down, spending time with my grandchildren, and continuing to learn—not just about work, but about life and the people who matter most.
Here’s to 40 years of lessons, laughter, and growth—and to the chapters yet to come.
Karthik
16th October 2025
930am.
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