Group Country Manager India & South Asia Visa

Mudit: What advice would you offer to mid-career executives looking to accelerate their careers in today’s fast-paced and competitive environment?

Sandeep Ghosh: To mid-career executives aspiring to advance their careers in the current professional landscape, I’d recommend the following:

Self-Awareness: Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Capitalize on your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Self-awareness is crucial for personal growth.

Enjoy What You Do: Find a career or role that you’re passionate about. Enjoying your work not only makes it more fulfilling but also reflects in your performance and attitude.

Continuous Learning: Keep pushing your boundaries, stay updated with industry trends, and embrace a growth mindset. Learning should be a lifelong journey.

Focus on the Controllables: In a constantly changing corporate world, focus on what you can control. Your response and attitude are in your control, even when external factors are not.

Teamwork and Collaboration: Emphasize the importance of effective teamwork. Building strong relationships and collaborating with colleagues is essential in today’s professional landscape.

Context Awareness: Be aware of the context in which you are operating. The business environment, company culture, and societal values evolve, and it’s important to adapt and align with these changes.

Work-Life Balance: Maintain a balance between your personal and professional life. Having interests and activities outside of work can act as pressure valves and contribute to your overall well-being.

Journey, Destination, and Company: Value not just the destination but also the journey and the company you keep. Your career is more than just reaching specific positions; it’s about the experiences and relationships you build along the way.

Mudit: How can mid-career executives effectively navigate politically charged organizations?

Sandeep Ghosh: Mid-career executives facing politically charged organizations should consider a few strategies:

Self-Awareness: First, they should assess their own values and principles. What are they willing to tolerate in terms of office politics or a toxic work culture? Being clear about personal boundaries is crucial.

Observe and Understand: To navigate politics, one must understand the political landscape. Who are the key players? What are the power dynamics? What are the informal networks at play? Observation and information-gathering are key.

Choose Battles Wisely: Not all political battles are worth fighting. Mid-career executives should prioritize their efforts and choose the battles that align with their career goals and values.

Maintain Professionalism: Regardless of the political situation, professionalism is paramount. Keep personal emotions in check, and continue to deliver high-quality work.

Build Relationships: Cultivating relationships with colleagues, superiors, and even those outside the organization can be beneficial. A strong network can help mitigate the negative impact of office politics.

Document and Communicate: Keep records of your achievements and contributions. Clear communication about your value and accomplishments can help counter any negative perceptions created by politics.

Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor or coach who can provide guidance on navigating political situations. They can offer insights and advice based on their experience.

Consider Alternative Paths: If the political environment becomes unbearable and negatively impacts one’s well-being and career growth, it might be worth exploring other career opportunities or organizations.

Mudit: How can mid-career individuals work on building the right perception to advance their careers?

Sandeep Ghosh: Mid-career professionals can work on building the right perception in the following ways:

Consistent Performance: Continue to excel in your current role. Consistent high performance is a fundamental building block of a positive perception.

Personal Branding: Identify your unique strengths, skills, and qualities. Communicate these attributes consistently in your interactions with colleagues and superiors.

Executive Presence: Develop an executive presence that conveys confidence, competence, and leadership. This involves your appearance, communication skills, and the way you carry yourself.

Effective Communication: Hone your communication skills. Learn to articulate your ideas clearly, actively listen, and adapt your communication style to different audiences.

Thought Leadership: Share your expertise and insights by writing articles, giving presentations, or participating in industry discussions. This establishes you as a thought leader in your field.

Networking: Build and maintain a strong professional network. Attend industry events, connect on professional social media platforms, and engage in meaningful networking conversations.

Mentorship and Sponsorship: Seek out mentors and sponsors who can guide your career growth and advocate for your advancement within the organization.

Embrace Challenges: Be willing to take on challenging projects and assignments that demonstrate your ability to handle responsibility and solve complex problems.

Adaptability: In a constantly evolving business world, the ability to adapt to change and learn new skills is highly valuable.

Emotional Intelligence: Develop emotional intelligence to navigate workplace relationships and conflicts effectively.

Remember that building the right perception takes time, and it should be aligned with your authenticity and values. Your goal is not just to create a facade but to showcase your genuine qualities and contributions.

Mudit: What defines executive presence, and how can executives work on enhancing it?

Sandeep Ghosh: Executive presence is a combination of qualities and behaviors that make an individual appear poised, confident, and capable of leading with impact. It’s about how you carry yourself and how others perceive your leadership potential. Here are some elements that define executive presence:

Confidence: Confidence is a key component of executive presence. It’s about believing in your abilities and projecting that self-assuredness to others.

Communication Skills: Effective communication, including the ability to convey ideas clearly, actively listen, and adapt your communication style to different audiences.