The Inspired Manager

Drawing inspiration from her role in the domain of leadership consulting, Geethaa Ghaneckar, CHRO - Raheja Universal, made a career switch to Human Resources and has not looked back since. In her own words, a deeply defining period of her life was when she was involved in a process of downsizing and personally ensured that each of the exiting colleagues was suitably placed.

- S. Ajay Kumar

How do you look back at the professional journey that you have traversed thus far? Please share a few enriching experiences that you have had.

As I look back, I feel a sense of gratitude for the kind of opportunities that came my way, and also the people I worked with. Managers and colleagues you work with early in your career shape your work ethics and values. I was fortunate to have met some exceptional people along the way, and am sharing a couple of poignant moments that has stayed with me.

In my first job as a sales executive, I recall making a presentation to my CEO and the leadership team over the results of a particularly bad Quarter. I had stayed up all night to rehearse my lines, and everyone in the team expected the session to be really fiery since we were significantly below targets. I felt like a sacrificial lamb as I got up to present. After 20 minutes, my CEO rose and said, "The meeting is over! If the youngest member of the team can be so passionate about what we are doing, I am sure this team can turn this around in no time." It was unbelievable, and for a young career aspirant at that time, this was a huge validation. Over the years, there have been several occasions that have come and gone, but the feeling of that day has always remained special in my memory.

In an another rather embarrassing incident, I was to meet a client along with the Founder of a Leadership consulting firm in which I worked. I was delayed by only 2 minutes to the pickup location, but he had already left. I managed to reach the client's office flustered, angry, and on the verge of tears. We made it to the meeting on time. After the meeting, my boss, rather straight-faced and calmly, gave me my earliest lesson on respecting time as the most valuable resource. And that has stayed with me since.