Emerging leadership series - In conversation with Ganesh Kumar Balusamy

How would you introduce yourself?

My name is Ganesh Kumar (GK), and I work for the TechOps Digital Platforms team at /thoughtworks as a product manager.

Having 16 years of professional background with a focus on analysis, product and delivery. Setting the right product strategy, leading the team with the right intent and goal, discovering the right problem by consulting with users and stakeholders, facilitating and identifying the right solution, testing and validating the identified solution, and delivering it as committed along with the team are all part of my day to day activities.

Can you tell me a bit about your career journey? What inspired you to take on the leadership role?

I started my career with PTG (@Ebix) as a sales executive to sell CRM softwares to financial analysts all over India. Fortunately, I got a chance to transition into the role of Business Analyst for the same cloud product. With the foundation of four years in my first job, I moved to BNY Mellon to automate the Anti Money Laundering manual processes. After working for BNY Mellon for one and half year, I moved to Exterro, a leading e-discovery software product company, where I worked to define, re-define, enhance digital workflows. Additionally, it provided an opportunity to lead and learn the qualities that make an effective leader.

I joined Harman as a programme manager after gaining significant expertise as a business analyst in product companies. This was my first exposure to the service company and I worked with numerous clients across different domains. This gave me the confidence to be agile by nature, deliver as a team, and be domain agnostic.

Joined /thoughtworks back in mid 2018 to learn and grow in product and digital platforms. The journey of learning is still continuing (my first company where I stayed for more than 4 years).

People around me and my leaders motivated me to take initiative, trusted in my approach and inspired with their actions which takes me to the leadership role.

What were the top challenges you faced during your journey and how did you overcome them?

When I was put in an ambiguous scenario, I became nervous, but the revelation that it was OK not to know everything and the desire to quickly learn in those areas transformed my perspective on unknown areas.

Even if I had solid conviction on certain topics, it was difficult for me to explain and persuade others. A detailed research, sufficient data points to support the issue, and assistance from the available support system enabled me to handle the criticism and communicate confidently.

What motivates you everyday?

An appreciation, a sense of accomplishment, when I make a positive change in the lives of others (however tiny), or a heartfelt greeting motivates me to run for the day. And, the little things I do for myself, and having my own ME time.

Do you have a role model in your life? Can you name a few people who you look up to?

Positive people around me always inspire me, and I admire them in various aspects.

In my first job as a sales executive, I was good at prospecting, contacting, and offering, but I was not able to close the sales calls. Mr.Elango was my senior, and he went out of his way to help and protect me until I could close the calls on my own. Still, I remember his virtues in the manner he motivated and guided me in the beginning of my profession.

When I first started working as a Business Analyst, Karina Shimomaebara was my first product manager. She taught me to be patient with my teammates and coworkers. She took an extra step to understand my personal side, hardships I was facing, and extended her help even beyond her limit.

Many more people along with my professional life, now my 14 year daughter has recently been a role model for me. Her dedication, determination, firm decision making, and clarity of thought taught me what I had been missing out on all these days, and what I needed to focus on in my life.

What does leadership mean to you? How would you describe your leadership style?

In my school days, I was the least favorite student to most of my teachers, until I met my physics teacher in my 12th grade. For him, all students are equal irrespective of how attentive in his class, or how much you score in his subject, but he does his duty every day day in day out. When I scored 17% on his subject on the first exam, he extended his help to guide me along with some of my classmates who scored less. He identified where I am lagging behind and taught me every chapter in detail in the extra classes. With his guidance and extra care I scored 94% in my final exam. That made Physics my favorite subject. I see my Physics teacher as a great leader. I see good leaders around who are “good mentors” and “Impartial” and I am striving to emulate them.

After a small setback in my communication with my clients, my leader in Thoughtworks said “Ganesh, I trust you.”. This was when I joined his team, and that was the first time a leader said he trusts me. I respect his confidence and the way he still stands by his words to this day. My fear of failure might have stuck with me, if I didn’t hear this from him. That tells me “Trust” and “Trustworthy” are needed to be a good leader. I believe that I am following it too.

What would be your advice to other leaders?

Don't wait for others to name you as a leader; believe that you are already a leader of someone or something. Humility may always help you develop as a leader. Be patient, actively listen to others, set a good example by doing the same, and be open to feedback.

Furthermore, continue your passion, and do what interests you.