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 Suparna Kapoor for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. She is a Business Leader, Coach, Advisor, Mentor, Educator, and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Suparna:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
Coming from a middle-class family of educators, my parents provided the best environment & education for both us sisters, despite financial constraints, which laid the foundation for whatever I am today.
I was the first one in the family to get selected to IIT and become an engineer. It was quite a challenge in those days for women to be a part of the Manufacturing industry because of the sheer lack of numbers and hence requisite facilities and policies (that exist today). But I am glad that with support as well as resistance from a variety of stakeholders I persisted in the journey.”
I have now completed three decades in Technology Intensive domains of Aerospace and Telecom in large PSUs. Traversed and delivered results in a gamut of functions across Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Marketing & Business Development, Learning and Development and Human Resources.
Because of this, I have a very holistic ability to strategically understand business and its alignment with people & capability development to impact team and organizational performance.
One interesting fact about my Professional journey is that a large part of my work has been directly or indirectly for the Defense sector of India.”
And that’s why I believe that I have played a small yet significant role not only in nation-building but the safety and security of the country.
How did you discover your passion?
Over the last decade or so, I have come to realize that my passion lies in the softer aspects of the organization – people, leadership & culture. This discovery happened more by chance than by actual design. In 2010 I moved from a Functional/Project role to Learning & Development at HAL Management Academy, Bangalore.
There was an organizational requirement andthe decision to take the plunge came from an intuitive space rather than an actual understanding or skills in the area. It took me a year or so to transition & build up my capabilities in the role and very soon I realized that my heart lies in supporting individuals and collectives on the learning path & enabling them to harness their potential.
Happiness & well-being, Personal effectiveness and Women leadership are some of the specific areas that I am passionate about & have explored deeply.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Challenges are an essential requisite for growth – one of my philosophies is “Can we be Uncomfortable with Comfort”, and this enabled me to transition across roles & domains. I believe in being Future Fluent & hence I never miss an opportunity to learn.
It was during the Covid times that I completed my Happiness Coach certification & also applied for the British High Commission’s Chevening CRISP Fellowship, which I eventually attended in April 2022, at the University of Oxford, UK. Recently I certified as an Independent Director from the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
Another philosophy is – Trust and faith in a Universal power which has my best interest at heart. 2015 -16 was an exceptionally challenging time at all fronts due to health issues in the family including my 12-year-old nephew being diagnosed with cancer, my son’s crucial year of college admissions, my spouse’s unexpected career hurdles, my own professional commitments and more.
It was this faith that kept me going and helped me balance myself and support others. I used to tell my son – I have absolute trust that everything will work out fine.”
On the lighter side, I resonate with this dialogue from SRKs movie Om Shanti Om “ Aur aaj, is baat ka bhi yakeen ho gaya, ki humari filmon ki tarah humari zindagi mein bhi end mein sab theek ho jaata hai. Happys Endings. Aur agar theek na ho to woh the end nahin hai dosto, picture abhi baaki hai”
Whenever I feel low, facilitating a session, being with young adults, listening, and sharing, and being part of a community with purpose keeps me going. Theatre is another thing I discovered that helps me during times of emotional turmoil. What drives me, in addition to my work, is this deep desire for personal growth, excellence and holistic well-being.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest source of motivation has been my family, especially my parents. A few very close friends who have stood by me in the darkest times are a strong sounding board for me.
My son Anmol, who is currently working in the US after completing his studies, is at the very core of my life. In fact over the years I have learned a lot from him, he is my biggest supporter as well as critic. Being in the learning space I come across many achievers, leaders, and facilitators who are a source of motivation and learning.
My spiritual leanings and practices keep me grounded and rooted through the ups and downs of life. Books are my another go to source for motivation. BTW growing up Oprah Winfrey used to be my idol women & she still is in many ways.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
> Continuous Learning without boundaries
> Balance between focused goals and going with the flow
> Self-Motivation and Openness to Change
> Ambiversion – Being happy with my own company as well as in social groups
> Trusting and collaborating with people
> Empowering others and being a catalyst in their growth
> Being true to who I am and accepting myself with all my shining & flawed bits.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
Even before we talk about the keys to success, an important question to ask oneself is – What does success mean to me now? Why I am saying this is because success not only means different things to different people but also changes even for an individual across phases and stages of life.
What is essentially important is not to pursue some socially programmed idea or meaning of success but create our own evolving definition of success that resonates at a very internal level. And what really supports this is “Knowing Your Own self”. In fact that, I believe, is the number one key to success.
Having a set of core values (that gives one direction in times of choice making) and a purpose to keep us going, courage to stand up for oneself & others, Taking ownership not only for my actions (even those with unexpected outcomes) but also for my growth, Constantly bridging the gap between thinking & doing, having a long term perspective of events, people and situations, Asking for support when required, being curious and creative, consistency, agility and resilience. Finally Humility and Grace.
What advice would you give to our readers?
As an experienced Professional and as a mentor/coach to young adults there are a few “commandments” that I follow & share:
– Like in management, so in Life – There is no absolute right or wrong, it’s only about perspective. So be open to ideas and people different from yours
– Never judge others by the little you know about them, listen to & observe them mind-fully and you will be amazed by their uniqueness.
– Pause and breathe before you react to external/internal triggers, this gap creates the difference between reaction and response.
– Rather than learning to manage others, first learn to manage your own self including your thoughts, habits & emotions. Personal victory paves the way for success in the external world.
– Career is not a 100-meter dash, it’s a marathon. Create your own targets/goals, build expertise/credibility, and keep moving in the planned path with awareness (to change course if required) and energy (stamina) to complete the journey with your best timing.
– And above all be Grateful for all that you have, it may not always seem enough but it’s more than most others.
– Happiness is a choice and a skill – learn to be happy, enjoy life & experience it to the fullest.
Students and young professionals are most welcome to reach out to me on LinkedIn with their specific thoughts/queries.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Well, like anyone else, my long journey has also been through ups and downs, fast pace, and sluggishness, balancing personal and professional commitments, working with some fantastic and some not-so-well-meaning people and more.
What really makes it satisfying though is the deep sense of contribution, at both individual & leadership levels, to organisational outcomes and eventually towards national objectives. Continuously exploring, experimenting, even failing but learning nonetheless. Often the mere act of showing up despite challenges and fears & then achieving results is exciting.
Acknowledgement by seniors and peers for the work done, getting awards/rewards, being recognized in the professional community all these do give a high, but the biggest satisfaction is the fact that I have been able to influence minds, be a role model to women, nudge & support youngsters and generally hold a safe non-judgmental space for people to talk, share and heal. On a personal front bringing up my son to be a good human being and a mature young adult is a great satisfaction.
Which is your favourite book/movie?
Very difficult to state just a few Books – Seven Habits of Highly effective people – Stephen Covey, Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, Dying to be me by Anita Moorjani and The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
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.
