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Gopal Iyer posted an update
Wow, what an amazing evening it was!
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who tuned in to the latest episode of the Career Shifts podcast! Your engagement and enthusiasm are the fuel that keeps this journey going. Whether you joined us live or caught up later, your presence and participation are the heart and soul of our community.
A Special Episode with Harjeet Khanduja.
Hosting Harjeet Khanduja, a renowned HR Leader, author, speaker, influencer and inventor (as he called himself), was an absolute delight. His journey provided a wealth of insights and inspiration. In this newsletter, I have summarized Harjeet’s fascinating career path, the key takeaways from our conversation, and how his story can inspire your own career shifts.
Starting with a Story: The Magic of “Malgudi Days”
I kicked off the episode with a nostalgic story from my childhood (probably also a lot of ours) about the beloved TV series “Malgudi Days.” This show, based on RK Narayan’s stories and brought to life by RK Laxman’s illustrations, captured the essence of simple, everyday life in India. Laxman, known as the “Common Man,” perfectly depicted the humour and struggles of ordinary people through his cartoons. His ability to adapt and pivot in his career—from aspiring artist to celebrated cartoonist—set the stage for our conversation with Harjeet, who we all know as the RK Laxman of business.
Meet Harjeet Khanduja
Harjeet, of course, needs no introduction. His career encompasses a variety of roles and notable accomplishments:
- Engineering Beginnings: Harjeet started as an industrial engineer at Tata Motors, where he quickly made a mark with his innovative approach to assembly line optimization.
- Transition to HR: His journey took a pivotal turn when he moved into HR, driven by his hunger for learning and desire to make a broader impact.
- Tech and Back: A few years into his career, Harjeet also dabbled in the tech industry, which enriched his skill set and eventually led him back to HR with a renewed perspective.
- Innovator and Author: Harjeet is a rare HR leader with four patents, seven best-selling books, and numerous leadership awards. He exemplifies a unique blend of technical expertise and HR acumen.
- Global Laureate: Just yesterday, Harjeet announced to the world via LinkedIn that he was recognized as a Global Laureate in HR, highlighting his influence across various industries.
Key Takeaways from Harjeet’s Session:
- Embrace Career Shifts with Resilience and Creativity: Harjeet’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and creativity in navigating career shifts. In the early days of his career, he found himself questioning what he was doing after a fantastic engineering degree. He took it upon himself to design the entire assembly line, eventually getting kudos from Ratan Tata himself. This led him to be transferred to an industrial design role. Creativity and boldness certainly pay.
- The Importance of Lifelong Learning: Harjeet’s career reflects a commitment to lifelong learning. Whether transitioning from engineering to HR or tech to HR, he continually sought to expand his knowledge and skills.
- Innovation as a Key to Career Relevance: Harjeet’s approach to innovation—identifying problems and creating unique solutions—has been central to his career. His four patents exemplify this mindset, demonstrating that innovation isn’t limited to technical fields.
- Personal Branding and Individuality: Harjeet emphasized the importance of maintaining individuality and building a personal brand. Beyond his corporate roles, his achievements as an author, speaker, and inventor have helped him establish a distinct identity.
- Leveraging Mentorship and Support Systems: Throughout his career, Harjeet benefited from mentorship and support from friends and colleagues. This network provided guidance and encouragement during pivotal moments, underscoring the value of a strong support system.
- Adapting to Technological Changes: Harjeet shared insights on the impact of AI and technology on jobs. He stressed that while technology changes job landscapes, it also creates new opportunities. The key is to stay adaptable and continuously learn.
- Navigating Internal Career Shifts: For those looking to shift roles within their current organization, Harjeet advised leveraging internal transfers and building a diverse skill set. His own career is a prime example of successfully navigating internal shifts.
- The Role of Industry Agnosticism in HR: Harjeet discussed the value of being industry-agnostic, especially in HR. His diverse experience across various sectors enriched his understanding and allowed him to bring best practices from one industry to another.
- Balancing Personal and Professional Growth: Harjeet highlighted the importance of balancing career aspirations with personal growth. His multifaceted interests—writing, photography, and more—contribute to his overall sense of fulfilment.
Reflections on Hosting Harjeet
Personally, hosting Harjeet was a delightful and enriching experience. His ability to blend humour, wisdom, and practical advice made our conversation both engaging and enlightening. I was truly inspired by Harjeet’s innovative mindset and his continual push to explore new horizons. His story is a powerful testament that career shifts, no matter how daunting, can lead to incredible growth and fulfilment. I hope it leaves you as motivated and hopeful as it did me.
Chat with our wonderful audience:
The audience was incredibly active and engaged during the session, asking insightful questions and sharing valuable comments. Here are some highlights:
- On Overcoming Self-Doubt: Harjeet shared how he dealt with self-doubt by seeking mentorship and support from friends and colleagues. He emphasized the importance of self-belief and resilience.
- On Personal Branding: Harjeet discussed how personal branding helped him maintain his individuality and expand his influence beyond his corporate roles.
- On the Future of Jobs: Harjeet provided a nuanced perspective on how AI and technology are reshaping the job market, creating new opportunities rather than simply eliminating jobs.
Final Thoughts from Harjeet
Harjeet’s parting advice was simple yet profound: “Live life king-size.” He encouraged everyone to embrace their unique journey, strive for continuous learning, and make the most of the opportunities that come their way. His words resonated deeply, leaving us inspired and motivated to explore our own career paths with renewed vigour.
Join Us for the Next Career Shifts Session
The next Career Shifts session, scheduled for June 13th, will feature a conversation with another inspiring leader who made a remarkable career shift. Stay tuned for more details on the guest and the topics we’ll be discussing. Don’t miss the chance to be part of our ongoing journey.
Stay Connected and Keep Shifting Forward
Thank you once again for being part of the Career Shifts podcast community. Your participation and feedback are invaluable. If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes and events. We would love to hear your thoughts or questions about the podcast. Let’s continue to explore, innovate, and shift forward together.
Until next time, keep striving, keep innovating, and see you again on June 13th for another exciting episode of Career Shifts!
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