I have been formally working for a little more than 10 years now. In this first decade, I have moved often— six companies across three Indian metros and varying set of responsibilities but mostly revolving around storytelling. I characterise this movement as ebbs and flows— necessitated by the pursuit of more/ deeper opportunities to learn, a faster growth, a more enabling environment, an empathetic team. The years have been very fulfilling, for it has brought me many highs (coverage, funds, recognitions for clients and brands I work for, multiple opportunities for creative storytelling, seeing team members grow). I have also met some of my best friends and really inspiring people at work. Below are my reflections/ lessons/ observations from the journey so far.
1. My friends at work got me where I am today
Growing with and alongside my friends is an absolute privilege. There is the birth family and the accidental family that comprises friends. Today, many of my closest people in my life are or have been colleagues. These folks have consistently opened their lunch boxes, homes and hearts with me, for me. There has been so much breaking, and some baking bread together. We have had the privilege to witness each others’ most important and difficult moments, share secrets and stories, receive and offer support. We have together explored the limits of kindness, tried to make sense of not just work and workplaces, but life. Some of these folks, I am lucky, have pulled me up for my mistakes and steered me to be better. Shout out to those courageous ones who have inspired me to embrace honesty and truth at workplaces, and walk the difficult path.
2. Nonprofits and corporates are more similar than they are different
Having worked in nonprofits for the past eight years, I can say that they have a very creative, visionary, outcome oriented workforce and leadership. People [and their aspirations], politics and processes (or the lack thereof) are similar to corporates. Both sets of organisations solve problems that fulfill people’s needs. There are people out there who need services - some of them are fulfilled by corporates, others by nonprofits. The intention is to make this planet a better place to live. The only difference is that at nonprofits, employees work at a comparatively very lower remuneration.
3. Workplaces, teams, scenarios can be unfair
Workplaces, teams go through their own rite of passage. Sometimes things at work can get really out of control. In 10 years, I have had my share of royal disappointments. My performance has been misreported. Promotion has been mentioned and not given. I have received biased feedback so many times. Reputed vendors/ professionals have committed, not delivered and made excuses. Team members have shown immense potential and their performance has declined later. Despite my best intentions and efforts, I have succumbed to vile schemes, unaddressed insecurities and favouritism. Alongside being enraged, I have also taken these instances as lessons hard learned —- and evolved my ways of working. I have started holding individuals more accountable than earlier. I try to expand my learning, sometimes at a fast pace, sometimes slowly. I also surround myself with honest, kind and able leaders at work.
4. Remote works
There are pros and cons of both working from home and work from office setups. Since the first wave of COVID-19, I have supported the goals of two education nonprofit startups and made it work for myself, my team and the organisation. If anything is reflective of the fact that it has worked is (A) that I have been around for four plus years now at ShikshaLokam/ Shikshagraha, (B) I have been promoted and (C) I currently have the opportunity to lead communications for a high stakes initiative (Shikshagraha). It works because I have been intentional about it. I have a schedule that I try my best to stick to, I proactively communicate about my presence (or absence), projects at hand and processes being followed or overhauled. I self organise field visits. I also try to visit Bengaluru (the headquarters) as often as I can and spend the time judiciously with the team both at and outside the office.
6. Teaching years were best years
My favourite two years at work, hands down, have been the Teach For India Fellowship years—bringing out the best and the worst in me. They were the toughest years too. I taught 100 students in Grade 6 & 7. I was crying often in the first half of the first year after school. When I failed to engage students because of underdeveloped relationships and below average lesson planning, I lost my cool easily and I was quite miserable. However, my reflection, visioning, planning, organising, storytelling, self care skills enhanced in the process.
Children are a joy to be with - their innocence, love, openness to learn is contagious. And once I got a hang of teaching, it was very fulfilling. Seeing students making connections to content being taught, seeing them joyful instead of hurting each other, exchanging stories with them. I keep wishing to go back to the classroom. I got to learn more deeply about the education system, humanity, human psychology, and myself. The learning continues. Despite the fact that eight years later, the TFI processes, teams, schools have evolved, I will still totally recommend it. Either TFI or other rigorous fellowships.
7. Working, or choosing not to work is a privilege
An opportunity to work, to work remotely, to do what I love, all of it is a blessing, not just my hard work. It is a compounding effect of my many many privileges. I can also choose not to work. Most people do not have that option. Taking career breaks is not at all viable. So many families are an illness away from debt. Supporting families and life, especially in a rapidly changing world, requires consistent income. I only have the slightest of those worries. And I am incredibly grateful for the exemption I have received.
8. Work is part of life, not life
Something that I am still learning/ unlearning even after a decade and changing multiple organisations is to not take everything-work very seriously. What was the intent behind the comment by my colleague?! Can I pause for a while during work hours? Can I request for an extension to the deliverable? Unlearning that duty is everything is still a work in progress. I might have understood the difference between efficiency and productivity two years ago, but it has not translated into actions. I am still vying for the balance that allows room for creativity, regular pauses, off-the-job learning, and continuously embedding ongoing learnings.
9. Asking for what I want
I have asked for both difficult and easy provisions - a raise in salary, a senior position, more team members, prioritisation of tasks. And I have got what I have asked more often than not. But it would not have been possible, had I not mentioned the needs. My partner and friends have helped me build a spine. I have asked once and when it worked, I have made it a practice. Reflection on what’s important for me/ to achieve the organisation goals, has only encouraged me further. I now know that I am going to be responsible for my growth, learning and I have to take the initiative. Workplaces are run by people, not algorithms and machines, and the first step has to be taken at the right moment. I think my brush with fundraising (you get only when you ask for it) and spirituality (the realisation - what is the risk in asking, only rejection) has also helped. I have also made it a point that when I do not get what I feel I deserve, I will not shy away from looking out for greener pastures.
