#SreeStories #1
#LeadershipStories #Positivitiy #PeopleWhoInfluence #ParuTales
#Learning #GrowthMindset #EmbracingChange
#LearningFromLeaders #EmpoweringWomen #Support
#UmasreeRaghunath #MotivationalStories #Inspiration #SpreadingHope #Gratitude
One lazy Sunday afternoon, my cousin pulled us to the local Indian Restaurant, that was brimming with people waiting for their turn to get in. Erode Amman Mess in Deira was hugely crowded, and after 45 minutes of waiting, we stepped it to our table to have that amazing “Spicy meal”. That’s when I heard someone calling my name, and I was truly surprised, delighted and equally excited to meet him. Keshav Koorapati
The man who unknowingly helped me rebuild my life when life was absolutely frightening.
Way back in 2003, almost 2 decades ago, when the then IT Service Provider major Manmar Technologies lost the deal with GE Medical and was heading towards closure, I had to pack my bags and find an opportunity in Bangalore leaving behind my 5-year-old child with her grandparents who reluctantly agreed to take care. Those were the toughest beginnings when my husband was trying to find a job, and in search of something to keep him busy, moved to Delhi. The small nest of three people was put to the wildest test. My little family was shattered with the financial challenges and battling health – both physical, mental and financial. Social health was unknown then.
This didn’t work for long. I was getting restless traveling every week home to be with my daughter. It was draining me physically and mentally. My husband almost slipped into depression. Once playful and happy child became dull, unhealthy falling often sick and longing. I still remember her waiting with the paste and brush every Saturday morning in the verandah waiting for me to come home. If I missed the last bus on Friday night after my UK shift to take from Electronic City or rush to Majestic, I had to take whatever way possible, sometimes reach home late on Saturday. Once, when I reached around 12 noon, my heart broke seeing her stubbornly waiting for me without having anything from morning. That day I decided, I must get back to my nest. This time all three of us. But I was not sure how it would be possible.
Thanks to my father-in-law’s friend Sri Vummidiars Muralidharan Uncle, who took me to meet Keshav for the first time, introducing me as his adopted daughter, and with a non-negotiable obligation to help me. Keshav smiled. He asked for my resume and informed that they are hiring for Investment Banking Backoffice Operations and will forward my resume to the hiring team. He was the Vice President of the ABN AMRO Bank ACES at that time. If he would have wanted, I could have gotten directly hired. Instead, he just showed me the way. He did not influence the hiring process. He did not recommend. He followed his integrity and ethics and just matched a requirement to a possible candidate.
I went to the psychometric assessment and aptitude test held at Guru Nanak college. I was super scared to see more than 200 candidates attending the written test that day. When you are desperate, you tend to get more nervous, and I was no different. When I got the call from HR to come for the interview after a week, I still didn’t believe I could make it. I came down to Chennai to attend the interview. They realized that I am in the Process Lead role in DSL Software (Deutsche Bank) and offered me as Tester in their IT division. That was the first time, I am getting into the IT space, after working in IT and ITES companies in Service and Process areas.
Probably two things happened. Keshav knowing me personally (his uncle and my father-in-law were childhood friends) did not influence my hiring or selection to the team in ACES. Secondly, I probably would fit better in the Infrastructure and Custom Engineering division. A beginning that took me to IT majors in life later.
From being a Tester, in a very short period of time, I became a Global Test Manager in ABN AMRO ACES, winning Star in Focus Award and several other awards. I had the opportunity to work with amazing people at work, across the globe. I was at the helm of affairs managing the testing team during 19 successful Releases migrating more than 25 countries to the Global Trade Platform. Working along with vendors that included people from Infosys, Maverick Systems and PSI Data Systems, the learning was immense. We also had domain experts – retired banking professionals who guided us in our delivery and management. Triaging and working over the weekends, managing various shifts, some months starting day as early as 6 am at work, handling people and projects, I have to say that the ACES experience transformed me to a leader. It set the platform for my IT career for the next 2 decades.
KEY TAKEAWAYS from Keshav as a leader:
· Actions speak louder than words
· Inspiration by the professionalism they show, integrity they maintain, ethics that they follow. They don’t preach. But lead by example
· Influence people. By their composure at work, managing conflict and problem solving with utmost wisdom and knowledge
· Managing teams - With empathy, care and concern. They build workplaces with such focus on the client requirements, technology changes, sustainability initiatives, and people welfare.
· Building Professional work places - Deliver on time, client-focused, consistent work delivery and cross-border cultural exchange with ease
· Embracing Change - Leaders like Keshav embrace change with utmost gratitude, self-esteem and motivation to others.
Though, I did not get a chance to be a direct report to Keshav, I will always be indebted to the learnings I took from him as a Leader. I will always remember with gratitude the small act of his, that gave a big change in my life. I will always remember him as the “Influential Leader” who supported many like me to grow in life and be their best.
