What's in your career toolkit?

I recently had the luck of being a guest speaker at the “Know Your Leader” event, hosted by my wonderful colleagues at EY's Gurgaon office. Connecting in person is always a treat, especially since most of our work happens in the virtual world.

But as the room filled up – and I mean 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 filled up – a wave of nervous excitement washed over both the interviewer, Vidisha and me. One last soundcheck, a deep breath, and we were off!

Know Your Leader session in EY's Gurgaon office with the lovely Vidisha

Surrounded by warm smiles, we found our rhythm, and the conversation flowed. The audience asked insightful questions, the kind we rarely get to talk about during our hectic workdays.

One question that truly hit home was about the fear of change.

We all know that feeling, right?

The butterflies in your stomach when you're starting a new job, the uncertainty of stepping into a completely new environment. It's like being the new kid in school all over again - new faces, new rules, and that nagging question: "Will I fit in? Will I be good enough?"

Let me explain how I see this. I think of my career as a journey, and every experience, every challenge, is like adding a new tool to my toolkit. These tools—my skills and knowledge—aren't single-use; they're adaptable, transferable. And when I encounter something new, I say, "I'm learning."

It's okay not to have all the answers right away. Just focus on taking that first step, then the next.

There's no magic formula, just simple, step-by-step progress.

So, during this session, we discussed how to turn fear into fuel. It's simple: never stop learning, say "yes" to new adventures (even if they make you a little nervous), and remember that every obstacle is a chance to level up. Above all, trust in your own resilience.

Change is a part of life, but it doesn't have to hold you back. In fact, it can be the very thing that launches you forward.

By the end, the room was full of happy faces and great chats. The nervousness was gone, and everyone felt connected. Gurgaon, thanks for having me! It was great.

So, tell me, what's your secret career tool?

Engage in the discussion on my profile!