Some careers are carefully planned. Some simply unfold. And then there are journeys that begin when someone else sees a possibility in you before you see it yourself.
For Srividya Venkataramanan, that possibility was first spotted by her uncle, himself a Head of HR. He noticed her natural curiosity about people, her ability to listen, connect and understand, and suggested that she might have the temperament to build a career in Human Resources.
What began as a suggestion gradually became a profession and, over time, something much deeper a passion.
From a Career to a Calling
Over the years, Srividya has worked across global MNCs, start-ups and diverse business environments, experiencing HR through multiple lenses from talent and employee relations to organisational effectiveness, leadership, culture and transformation.
But somewhere along the way, one belief became clear Understand people.
Their ambitions. Their experiences. Their aspirations. Their fears. Their potential.
She discovered that professional knowledge alone is not enough. Understanding people requires curiosity, empathy and the willingness to look beyond what is immediately visible. That perspective deepened further after she completed her NLP Master Practitioner programme. The experience changed the way she looked at behaviour, relationships and communication and, perhaps more importantly, changed the way she understood herself.
When the Journey Paused
Every career has chapters we don't plan for.
For Srividya, one of the most defining came after an accident forced her to take a six-month break midway through her career, after 12–13 years of professional experience.
Returning to the job market wasn't easy. She attended interviews, knew she had the experience and qualifications, yet the offers didn't come. Rejection without a clear reason can make even the most experienced professional question their own worth.For a while, she did too.
Then she chose to look at the pause differently.
Instead of simply waiting for the next opportunity, she invested in herself. She learnt new skills, pursued certifications, became a coach, rebuilt her confidence and rethought how she presented her professional value. That period eventually became one of the most transformative phases of her career.
Sometimes, a pause isn't the end of the journey. It is where the next version of you begins.
Becoming More, Without Becoming Someone Else
One of the strongest themes in Srividya's journey is authenticity.
She believes vulnerability is not a weakness. It is human. It is okay to ask for help, to have difficult days, to not have all the answers and to take an unexpected turn. She believes that professionals don't have to leave their personality at the workplace door.
Curiosity can be a strength. Creativity can be a strength.
Empathy can be a strength. Authenticity can be a strength.
For Srividya, perhaps her most meaningful achievement is not a title or recognition, but the ability to live one life rather than constantly switching between a “work version” and a “home version” of herself. The responsibilities may change with the role, but the person at the centre remains the same.
Beyond Titles and Recognition
Her journey has brought recognition, including being named among the Top 50 Best HR leaders and being featured among the Top 10 alumni of IIM, alongside opportunities to lead CXO panels, speak and create impact.
Yet when asked about her greatest achievement, she looks beyond the accolades.
For her, success is not simply about reaching a destination. It is about continuing to grow while creating opportunities for others to grow alongside her. It is about giving someone the confidence to take a chance, helping someone discover their potential, or opening a door because someone once opened one for you.
Staying Relevant, Staying Ahead
For Srividya, growth is not only about professional advancement. It is about continuously investing in yourself—in your knowledge, your skills, your health and your ability to evolve.
In a world where business models, technology and the nature of work are changing rapidly, staying relevant cannot be an occasional exercise. It must become a mindset.
She believes the greatest competition is with the person you were yesterday.
Build that aura. Carry it with you. Let it open doors, create opportunities and take you forward.
What Comes Next
Looking ahead, Srividya is passionate about building workplaces where people, business and technology can evolve together—where people don't merely adapt to change but feel confident enough to embrace it. Her interests span future-ready talent, women and young-leader development, leadership effectiveness and creating more human-centred workplaces.
But beneath these ambitions is a simple idea.
Impact is sometimes as simple as helping someone see a possibility they couldn't see in themselves.
A Journey Worth Owning
If there is one lesson Srividya's journey offers, it is that careers rarely unfold exactly as planned. There will be opportunities you never expected. Setbacks you never anticipated. Moments when you question yourself when everything suddenly falls into place.
The answer is not to find a perfect path. It is to keep becoming the person who is ready for whatever comes next.
Invest in yourself. Build meaningful relationships. Embrace technology without losing your humanity. And never stop evolving. Stay grounded in who you are.
Your journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's It only must be yours and you own it!
And sometimes, the most powerful chapters begin exactly where you thought the story had paused.
