At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited yet another passionate entrepreneur Hariharan Ramesh for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. Hariharan is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Coach, Trainer, Mentor and Influencer. Let’s learn more about his background, his inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Hariharan:
Could you please take us through your background and your journey?
My journey as a Soft Skills and Communications trainer has been both fulfilling and diverse. After completing my bachelor’s and master’s in English Literature from Loyola College and SRM University, I made the leap into training full-fledged. My specialization lies in Campus to Corporate training, employee skilling, professional development, and career development.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of training pilots in effective communication and personality development to equipping IT professionals with presentation and leadership skills, I’ve witnessed the transformation of individuals in diverse fields.”
Additionally, I have worked with students pursuing engineering, MBA, and various other domains, helping them develop the soft skills essential for their future success. I am currently pursuing a part-time PhD at Hindustan University, focusing on gender studies with a unique emphasis on men, an area not commonly explored.
How did you discover your passion?
Growing up in a family of teachers, I never thought I would find my place in the education industry. However, during my undergrad at Loyola, I stumbled upon an opportunity at an NGO, which I joined for leisure. Little did I know that this experience would transform my life.”
An opportunity presented itself for me to train life skills to 6th graders. Over three days, we shared remarkable experiences, and by the end, they were moved to tears. At that moment, my passion was ignited.
Starting with school kids, I gradually progressed steadily climbing up the ladder of my training and coaching journey. No matter how physically tired I am at the end of each training session, I experienced a profound sense of fulfilment and happiness. It brings me immense satisfaction. Furthermore, whenever one of my trainees secures a job, clears an interview, or earns a promotion, their heartfelt expressions of gratitude reaffirm my decision to dedicate my life to this path.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Every single training or coaching I take up is a challenge. I get to face different types of students and clients who have different needs and different struggles. I must come up with unique strategies that would work on them and bring out a great output. No matter how hard it is, in the end, it’ll all be worth it.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
I have cultivated a mindset of not settling for less. I am driven to achieve excellence in everything I do and consistently challenge myself to reach new heights.
This relentless pursuit of improvement and my refusal to become stagnant fuel my determination to make the most and grow.”
Embracing each opportunity for personal and intellectual growth, I strive to maximize my potential and embrace the challenges that come my way.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
One of the strategies that has significantly contributed to my personal growth is my self-imposed policy. When approaching any task, I ask myself two fundamental questions:
“Do I learn from this?” or “Do I earn from this?” This approach has transformed how I approach work, as it enables me to focus on opportunities that offer either financial gain or valuable lessons and knowledge.
By maximizing the value, I gain from each opportunity, I have been able to continuously learn and grow, fostering a fulfilling and enriching career journey. It has been instrumental in shaping me as a person and has helped me achieve continuous improvement and success in various aspects of life.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
These essential principles stand out to me:
(a)Consistency: Staying dedicated to your endeavours paves the way to success.
(b)Strive for Excellence: Never settle for anything less than your best.
(c)Perseverance: Embrace challenges and never give up without a determined fight.
(d)Focus on Progress: Keep your eyes fixed on long-term goals while moving forward.
The four points interconnect, fostering my success.
What advice would you give to our readers?
– Be open to trying new things and discovering your passion. Keep updating your skills to stay relevant in an ever-changing world.
– Take time for yourself and ensure you are in a good mental and physical state to tackle life’s challenges effectively.
– Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement. Don’t be afraid of failure, it’s a stepping stone to success.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
My journey is incredibly satisfying and exciting because I get to embark on meaningful travels, connecting with diverse individuals from all walks of life—students and professionals alike.
The most rewarding aspect is the opportunity to positively transform their lives, witnessing tangible and lasting improvements. Despite the limited time frame, I take pride in my ability to effect profound change, something that may elude others.
This sense of purpose and the potential to make a real difference keep my journey fulfilling and exhilarating.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
