Leadership Journeys [160] - Anirudh Pareek - "You cannot learn anything by studying it. You can only learn by experiencing it."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.Embark on an inspiring journey with Anirudh Pareek, Chief Technology Officer at Vamani Overseas, as he shares his incredible career story on our latest podcast episode. From facing setbacks in his early days to leading technology and business operations, Anirudh's resilience shines through. Gain valuable insights as he discusses the pivotal role of self-belief, the importance of aligning technological ideas with business growth, and the unique challenges of transitioning from a technologist to a business leader. Join us as Anirudh unveils the secrets to building a process-dependent company and successfully expanding operations globally. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to be one, this episode promises wisdom, relatability, and a sprinkle of creativity from Anirudh's poetic side. Don't miss out on this empowering conversation that blends tech, business, and the art of leadership! You can find Anirudh Pareek at the below linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudh-pareek-62962512/[email protected] the interview, Anirudh shares"My career journey started with a turbulent twist - a company shutting down after six months, leaving us jobless. Little did I know then that this setback would shape my resilient path to success.""In 2007, paying a bank guarantee of 75,000 rupees as a fresher was a big deal. Fast forward, the experience taught me that challenges are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth.""The golden years of my learning curve were spent building a startup from scratch. Navigating the world of technology and business operations during the startup boom of 2012 was both challenging and enlightening.""Transitioning from an engineer to a tech leader, my biggest takeaway was aligning technological ideas with business growth. It's not just about code; it's about contributing to the company's revenue and success.""Self-belief was my greatest transformation. Learning to keep my cool during setbacks and having situation awareness became pivotal. Experience taught me more than textbooks ever could.""Beyond the code, I found solace in poetry during the challenging times of the pandemic. Writing became not just a creative outlet but a source of confidence, proving that one can excel in multiple facets of life.""In the journey from zero to one and now aiming for a hundred, we've evolved into a process-dependent company. Building and improving processes have become paramount for seamless expansion.""Transitioning from technology to business, I learned that technology is a means to aid business goals. The real value lies in aligning technological ideas with the company's growth and revenue.""As we expand globally, the challenge lies in combining technology and processes to fuel business growth. Success came when we seamlessly implemented processes in the UK without setting foot there.""Supporting leaders in a growing team involves understanding their challenges at the ground level. Involving everyone in decision-making, taking customer feedback first, and building solutions collaboratively has become our unique approach."