Having a mentor in life makes a huge difference. 😇

I had the privilege to talk to my mentor Vivian Abraham today and get wonderful insights from his career and life. To sum up two hours of sharing the knowledge & experiences of his life is tough. Still a humble try.

Vivian smoothly moved up from being a Multimedia programmer to the VP of Engineering at Spurtree, where he consistently excelled.

As a Multimedia programmer, his fusion of design and coding reflected his core creativity. His passion for design and coding made him the best out of 1,000 people in India who could do both.

His journey then led him to nurture a small team of 5 into a thriving force of 200+ at Photon. With amazing leadership skills, he trained the team, became a delivery manager and worked with the biggest international giants like JP Morgan and Johnson & Johnson. At Spurtree, he is making wonders with his excellent leadership.

Let's dive into his learnings:

🔘Career:

✅Understanding the client's needs, providing a process around it and delivering it makes the difference. When there was no Agile introduced, He set up the structure with the team and clients.
✅The real connection with the client can be built by great relations. When you connect with them, align with them - that's when you can deliver the results. Listen to your gut - know them.
✅Let your work speak for you. Vivian's outstanding work always stood out.
✅Teamwork is the key to every success. To be a true leader, you must understand your team, listen to them, understand their concern, fear and provide guidance.

🔘Perspective towards job:

✅If you want to stand out, figure out what your passion is. Passion cannot be faked.
✅Don't do the job for the sake of it. Love what you do. Money will become secondary.
✅The important part of the career should be that you should love your work, you should be respected, your skills are getting utilized - if you are getting it all - then you are at the right place.
✅In the era in which people keep switching jobs for monetary benefits - the real strength lies in growing your skills, yourself at the right place.
✅Be willing to take up more responsibilities if you love what you do.
✅Having mentors at your workplace can be a true blessing for you. Learn from them.

🔘Life advice:

✅Life is not about just earning and living life - It's also about finding your true passion and living it.
✅Figure out what you want to be in the next 5 years - It's a cliche question - but still is more important - If you don't know where you are going then what's the point?
✅The right mindset towards money would be - to use it as an instrument. Saving is the key. Learn or delegate to manage the money.
✅Relations with team, clients, friends and family - shape your life. Make sure you cherish them.

Vivian's love for music is on another level. His 23 years of career journey is truly inspiring. Thank you Vivian Abraham for being a true mentor and sharing your wonderful journey. 🙂