K Sudeep, VP & Global HR Head (BFSI), Tata Consultancy Services, on the importance of building a strong foundation and why roles shouldn’t be the definitive criterion in shaping career progression.
All of you are going to have very long careers. Life expectancies are increasing. Traditionally, 60 was considered the retirement age, but now people often reach their peak at 60. You might even work until 70, thanks to advancements in health and other factors. If you are 23 or 24, you likely have another 40 to 45 years of career ahead of you. During this time, you will witness an incredible pace of change. When I started my career 30 years ago, the internet was not even widely available. Today, when I interact with my team, I discuss topics like generative AI, large language models, and various other advancements.
I have run a few full marathons of 42 kilometres. I never focus solely on completing the marathon. What truly matters is the process: getting up at five o’clock in the morning, running and practising with a group of friends, staying disciplined, and enjoying the journey. Making a difference and improving something every day is what helps us find joy. As you embrace this mindset, the outcomes will naturally be brilliant, smooth, and fulfilling.
Beyond Your Homes
In the organisation where I work, teamwork is a key element. Today, work-life balance has become a critical consideration, but I won’t delve into that topic here. Work lives can be very comfortable if you work from home or from a location of your choice and put in fewer hours of work. However, what truly matters is how you utilise that time.
I have had the privilege of working in many cities around the world. I studied in Madurai and have worked in Chennai, Mumbai, the US, Europe, and across the APAC region. This diverse experience has been absolutely fantastic. My advice is simple: whenever an opportunity comes your way, grab it.
I work for TCS, which has a workforce of 600,000 employees. In the last four years, we have hired almost 50% of our team. One of our biggest challenges is encouraging employees to come to the office. Personally, I have learned a great deal by observing people around me, and this is something you will miss out, if you don’t come to the workplace.
When you work in a team, you primarily interact with a specific group of people. However, doing things beyond your routine tasks and networking with others are key differentiators that enhance your effectiveness. Take the opportunity to spend time with your team and the extended team, and learn by observing others.
Support Others
While seeking mentorship is important, you can also contribute by supporting others—not just through your own work but by helping your colleagues. These interactions create learning opportunities that can shape you for your next role. When you think about long-term goals, remember to build strong foundations. Progress step by step, and ensure you are well-informed to make sound decisions.
Work-life balance is undoubtedly important, but what’s even more crucial is building a community and being around people. This requires travelling to offices or locations where your larger or extended team operates. If you’re part of a startup, spend time in an incubator and interact with like-minded individuals, just as you do in college, learning from your professors and peers.
Embrace Technology
We often talk about technology, but many young engineers I meet tell me they work for tech companies but don’t want to do coding. Never shy away from technology—it’s incredibly important. Even as an HR professional, I leverage technology extensively to work smarter, faster, and in a way that is customised for each of my associates or colleagues.
All of us want hyper-personalised experiences, but achieving this at scale is impossible without technology. Just last month, I spent two weeks in a Gen AI session. Learning agility is critical. Even if you have a computer science background, continuous learning is essential. I cannot think of a single function or role where technology is not an enabler.
Those who combine domain expertise with technological skills are the real high performers and differentiators. Gen AI is not going to replace our jobs. However, someone who knows how to use Gen AI effectively might replace us. It’s better for us to be that person—embrace it and use it effectively.
Don’t let a Dream Stop You
Many of you may dream of having a global career, pursuing the American dream, or settling overseas by obtaining permanent residency in countries like Australia or Canada. In the IT industry, we often send people abroad on deputation—they gain valuable experience and then return.
My suggestion is to avoid falling into the trap of permanently leaving the country. Immigration laws and regulations are constantly changing, and while opportunities abroad can offer great career progression and the chance to make an impact, they shouldn’t come at the cost of your long-term potential.
What I often observe is that many people stay overseas, compromising their career growth, just to secure a green card or permanent residency status. Spending three, four, or even five years abroad can be enriching—you might appreciate the country, its quality of life, and the people. But consider whether you are limiting yourself from pursuing better opportunities elsewhere, where you might have more flexibility and freedom to achieve your potential.
Never let a dream stall your progress. Make your decisions your own, but keep an open mind. Travelling to different parts of the world and returning gives you a unique perspective and an incredible opportunity to contribute to nation-building. India has phenomenal growth opportunities waiting for you.
The CM’s Visit
While you may have a journey and a goal, don’t let yourself be solely defined by your role. Let me share an example from early in my career. Just three years into the industry, I was working for a manufacturing company in Manali, which is now closed. The plant was set up through a foreign collaboration, and the then Chief Minister, Mr. Karunanidhi, was scheduled to inaugurate it.
Being part of the HR department, I had the privilege of coordinating his visit. The managing director told me, “I know you’ve been with the company for just three years, but I want you to take charge of coordinating the Chief Minister’s visit. You’ll need to secure clearances from all departments. There’s a rigorous protocol for safety compliance, and everything must be checked before the Chief Minister arrives for the inauguration.”
The plant had involved significant investments, and there was a strict directive to keep expenses within budget. I went to the Secretariat and met with the principal secretary of the Chief Minister to understand all the requirements and protocols. He provided detailed guidance and had one specific request:
He said, “After the event, the Chief Minister may or may not want to hold a discussion. For this, ensure a dedicated event venue is set up with all seating arrangements done properly. It might not be used, but it must be ready.”
An Unhappy MD
I spoke to my Managing Director and briefed him about this requirement. He was not very pleased about incurring additional expenses, but I believed it was necessary, especially since the suggestion came from a highly respectable individual who had extensive experience organising such events. Despite my MD’s reservations, I went ahead and made the arrangements. However, when my MD arrived and saw the additional setup, he was quite unhappy with me.
The Chief Minister arrived, and the inauguration proceeded as planned. After the event, he decided to stay for high tea and engage in networking with the leaders. The venue I had set up worked perfectly for this purpose. The Chief Minister spent 30 minutes interacting with the Managing Director and the other leaders.
Go for It
After the meeting concluded, the MD called me and said, “I was wrong. What you did was right.” That moment has stayed with me ever since. Sometimes, if you truly believe in what you are doing—whether it’s for the organisation or in alignment with the law of the country—go ahead and do it. You will all encounter similar opportunities in your careers.
We are not here just to say, “Yes, Sir” or “Yes, Madam.” Bring your unique perspective and judgment into your work, and don’t hesitate to make the call. You will have to make such decisions frequently, and that is what will give you the courage to make the right choices.
Yes, you may fail, and that’s okay. Learn from those experiences, and keep building on them. With time, your confidence will grow, enabling you to take on tougher and bolder decisions as you progress.
To summarise, don’t become too complacent with work-life balance or settle into the comfort of working from home. Step out, engage with others, and enjoy the journey. With 40 to 45 years—or even more—of career ahead, learning agility is critical.
Don’t get stuck chasing a dream of settling in a particular country. Be open to opportunities, but leverage them to grow faster and achieve more.
Throughout your career, there will be many instances where you’ll need to make important decisions. If you are convinced about your choices, go ahead—you’ll often find that you were right. These are just a few lessons from my own experiences, and I hope they resonate with you.
