Switch Industries To Ace Your Career

In this article, Rashmi Menon covers the highlights of Shiva Shivakumar’s interview with Mint, where he talks about the challenges faced by CEOs in the pandemic world and how to switch industries to ace your career during the global crisis. Shiva Shivakumar is the Group Executive President (Corporate Strategy & Business Development) at Aditya Birla Group and the Chairman of the Mobile Marketing Association and the Advertising Standards Council of India.  

His book, The Right Choice: Resolving 10 Career Dilemmas for Extraordinary Success, addresses several complex subjects of career dilemmas such as: Is money the most crucial variable in a career? Should one switch industries to advance one’s career? How to choose the right sector? etc. It comes at a time where people are inclined to make wrong decisions.

He recognizes that the pandemic situation has brought numerous changes in the leadership. The leaders have become more empathetic towards their employees while facing similar challenges themselves and have been more open to inviting CEOs from different companies to address their employees. He talks about the importance of self-reflection, self-awareness, willingness to learn, and adapting to the change courageously for both leaders and employees to survive in a fast-changing and hyper-competitive market. He said, “You need to be aware of what’s happening around you, and you need to reflect whether you are actually getting ahead.” 

He advises that you must start preparing for your career rather than focusing on having a plan by identifying and improving upon the qualities you need to become the professional you want to be to ace your career. He also shared an inspiring incident of his journey to convey that you should not have the misconception of your industry being your strength. You should not be afraid to switch industries because your forte is in your skillset and not just your industry.