Emerging leadership series - In conversation with Venkatesh V

How would you introduce yourself?

I am a taskmaster, go-getter, thinker, story teller, an influencer and an enabler working for /thoughtworks in the role of a Product Manager. It's been 5 fantastic years so far in thoughtworks and I must say some of the best times in my career are what I am doing right now at work. I have had a good share of Industry experience prior to I started off in software consulting, I have briefly run a start up and have also helped my family business scale during my long sabbatical.

In my current role, I work with a fantastic team to build a product that addresses the critical access management needs of /thoughtworks to run thoughtworks’ business as a public company. The product we build directly contributes to the efficient functioning of business, providing right access to right systems/data for right people at right time. This product benefits the business directly and indirectly in many ways.

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

I was one of those people who was drawn by working in the fancies of the technology industry, genuinely interested by getting a taste of doing it for a project while working in the financial services sector. I knew I had it in me but have waited long for a suitable opportunity to transform my career path. The euphoria moment was 12 years ago and I haven't looked back ever since.

I have taken leaps in growing levels in a short span of time in my past career. I once used to be the youngest among my counterparts responsible for managing business operations for a state/province. I have had reportees more experienced and qualified than me, despite I felt this is not what I wanted to. I always wanted to be hands-on responsible for my own work, an individual contributor. But this belief has changed in the environment that I am currently in. It naturally occurred that the role I took up in thoughtworks in a team after being a team player for a considerable time, I had to step up and become responsible for just not what we build but also for the well-being of the people who do it. I would like to stand clarified, I was no one's manager here but a leader to enable people and nurture them.

I must thank my leaders who have spotted the potential in me, created an opportunity for me to practice and learn leadership in my own style. My leaders have constantly helped me take up more challenges, extend the role across teams in multiple countries, supported me when I struggled and provided the right kind of support. They made me feel privileged and special, what more can I ask for?

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

More than anything the fear of failure and anxiety about ‘Will I be recognised as a leader’.

Probably it is the case for anyone who starts off in their leadership role; perhaps I have also gone through that difficult phase. Like I said before, I was backed by my leaders and it was ok for me to experiment, still I was longing for the acceptance and recognition as someone who can lead from the front. It all worked well, with some intentional efforts and took up responsibilities willingly to bring that difference. More than anything, having regular one on one with the team, being open with feedback and listening to the team’s opinions helped me operate well. I remained honest, candid about telling what I really know about anything and was able to gain the team’s trust in a short span.

What I enjoyed is observing the team from the cultivation lens, with an intention to see the potential in each one of them and consciously look for opportunities to expose and expand their strengths. I enjoyed doing this repeatedly alongside fulfilling my work responsibilities. I have seen evidently that people grew, became more footed and confident in their trade, they spread the feel good vibe everywhere they went. The emotional send-off that I got from the team I recently rolled off is my personal testimony of how I contributed in building a REALLY STRONG AUTONOMOUS TEAM.

What motivates you everyday?

The desire to be a catalyst or a problem solver brings me to work everyday, I am at my best when I am connected to people. I can contribute to solving problems interestingly, generate fascinating ideas, build a solution or design an interaction by engaging in a conversation. People and conversations are the real motivation for me to get to work, as long as it all ties to a meaningful goal.

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

I certainly have a role model, not just one but many many. I have got positively influenced by many people/leaders I have come across in both professional and personal lives. I have made sure I build a relationship with such people and continue to draw inspiration and seek their help and support. I am consciously not making an effort to call names here, those people have been my professors, well-wishers, friends, mentor/coach, managers or colleagues. I am sure they would know I am referring to them if they get to read this interview. All due respects and credit to them for having helped me become what I am today and constantly helping me thrive and get better everyday. I talk to people who are in reach often. I remember, recollect and cherish the times of those I could not be in touch with.

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

In my mind leadership has 2 dimensions,

1. Meet the goals as a collective in this process enable/motivate/show the team to do it the right way

2. To Support people to grow in this process, spot the potential in them, provide right opportunities and take them towards their aspirations.

These are mutually inclusive in their own way, a leader is not successful by achieving just one of ‘accomplishing the collective goals’ or ‘helping the team meet their aspirations’. A good leader is expected to obtain both with a good balance the most times, no leader or a team is fail proof.

One of my colleagues gave this candid feedback to me. Hey Venky, “I think you will have to be less polite and more authoritative in what you ask from the team”. I thought for a while and asked them, the problem here is my style or not getting things done? Is there a concern that I am not delivering to the expectations? My colleague said, no you meeting your expectations is certainly not a problem. Therefore, there is no one leadership style that works the best, it is a combination of what your personality is and what you truly believe in. Some leaders like to drive to the detail and lead by facts, while some remain as an example and show the team how to deliver: neither is good nor bad. It depends on how you orchestrate and make things work and uphold your team’s dignity. My style of leadership is tuned by what is necessary and the kind of people I deal with, however I can confidently say I mostly lead by being an example. I first prefer to do what I expect others to do!

What would be your advice to other leaders?

I am no expert, so I cannot offer any advice.

But I can share what I have learnt from my experience: Leadership is not about one secret formula to success, it can be as different as how unique you are and a different person from everyone else. We can observe and learn from everyone, but practice it based on your best judgment and intuition. At times, I have attempted to deal with situations like how someone whom I look up to would have dealt with it, maybe it is logical or safe to do that way, later I have realized i was not my original self in dealing with it and regretted. At last, be yourself as a person and a leader, learn what to do and what not to, but do things your way. In hindsight, Did I offer advice? Maybe!🙂

Good luck!