Success Inside Out: Unleash The Best Version Of Yourself

Unleash the best version of yourself on and off the job.

- Sunalini Mathew

Success, much like happiness, means different things to different people. Capt. Rupinder Kaur came from a family of high achievers. Both her parents served in the armed forces. “As I grew older, I realized my parents were proud when I achieved something (such as the gold medal at the Officers’ Training Academy).” But it wasn’t this that spurred her on.

[Learning 1: It’s not about what people expect; do what you want to].

As a part of the first batch of army officers that went for training after the Kargil War, she realized she was a part of an elite group. Even a few years into her job, she woke up proud to don her uniform every morning.

[Learning 2: Align yourself with your job naturally].

But she also realized that for a woman serving in the army, growth would be limited. In 2006, when she was 28, she did an executive MBA from IIM, Lucknow. A couple of years into corporate life, and she knew she wanted to quit. “I couldn’t imagine doing this for the next 20 years.”

[Learning 3: Take a risk once you have some life and work experience].

She went to the UK in 2011, did a post-graduation course in poverty and development, and today is a director at STIR Education, an internationally funded teacher-led movement in the social sector. “Whatever I do, it should make a difference.”

[Learning 4: Chart your own definition of success].

Ester Martinez, editor-in-chief, People Matters