Over the last decade, I have worked alongside dozens of developers. Most of them opted out to follow a typical IT career under the influence of family & friends. They had no clue what they wanted to achieve beyond fat salary package and stability. I refer to these developers as trend followers. However, there were also few curious souls who saw things differently and were not afraid to question the status quo. I refer to these developers as seekers as they always seemed to be seeking something. If you want to build a cutting-edge innovative solution, you need to have these seekers in your team.
In this blog, I would like to list a few important behavioral traits exhibited by these round pegs in square holes.
- Curiosity: Seeker’s curiosity knows no bound. When the weirdest bug gets reported in the solution, the first reaction from the trend follower is frustration. On the other hand, you may see a spark on the seeker’s face as this new bug is nothing but a new puzzle. Curiosity acts as fuel helping the seeker to connect the dots which trend followers won’t even see.
- Questioning: If curiosity is fuel, asking questions is where they use it most. You will find them constantly asking questions to fellow teammates, leads, clients, and even themselves. With each answer, they gain more clarity. They will not hesitate to question authority be it a client or a project lead if they see a new feature does not add value to the solution.
- Tech Agnostic: Seekers are not married to a particular technology or tool like trend followers. They will always be objective while selecting tools and make sure that the solution is not compromised by a restriction of a particular tool. Neither do they see the solution in a fragmented way (front-end or back-end). To them fully integrated solution matters.
- Why vs What: One of the main reason seekers are agnostic towards tools is because they are driven by ‘Why’ and ‘How’. Their primary focus is to understand why behind the problem. Understanding why enables them to understand the various constraints in the play. Armed with the knowledge of these constraints then they focus on how to achieve the best possible solution within these constraints. On the other hand, trend followers’ first focus is on what can be achieved and what cannot be, based on their knowledge.
- Comfort Zone: Trend-followers eventually get locked within their comfort zone which stagnates their further growth. On the other hand, to a true seeker, there is no such thing as a comfort zone. Their boundless curiosity often leads them to chart unknown territories.
I believe no one intentionally decides to become a trend follower. As a child, we all have abundant curiosity. This curiosity diminishes eventually as asking questions is rarely encouraged in our society or schools. Also, our education system is more focused on meeting mass blue-collar jobs requirement instead of research and innovation. However, with awareness and deliberate practice above mentioned key traits can be cultivated by anyone to attain the mindset of a seeker.
So, are you a seeker?
Today we witness a severe scarcity of developers with the seeker mindset in the market. One of the main reasons behind Sankey’s inception is to meet this demand. Through the philosophy of solution mindset, Sankey is trying to transform trend followers into a seeker.
Before I conclude, I would like to share that when I graduated from college, I was a geeky kid fascinated by the myriad of tools out there. I had a compulsive need to attain mastery in all of them. As time passed, I understood that only the knowledge of tools won’t be enough to be a good problem solver. The key is to understand the problem at hand and then, if required, learn new things to meet the solution requirement. That’s one of the biggest lessons I have learned so far.
BLOG BY: VINAYAK MINDE
You begin your professional career with the hope that you will be successful, learning, growing, and never stop challenging yourself throughout the journey. I also had the same hope. I didn’t want my bar to rise in one direction. I rather wanted it to grow in multiple directions. I wanted to work in a culture where I am able to plan and execute tasks strategically. I wanted to grow by making new mistakes and never repeating them. I was looking forward to experimenting and trying out multiple things.
I joined Sankey Solutions as an HR Manager and I am proud to say that I am growing in a startup at an amazing pace. I practice a plethora of things here that I couldn’t practice in 10 years of my career. I was exposed to the wide curve of challenges, opportunities, exposure, learning, and knowledge. I contributed towards building the organization through a structured process. I learned to ideate and execute the plans strategically and what not!
We made relentless efforts to master the art of working in a startup. It wasn’t challenge-free. However, I knew that my efforts sowed will reap success in the coming years. After aggressive hard work and diligence, this wonderful place enabled me to make work look productive and rewarding. Today, I can proudly say that I have mastered all the HR aspects, gained self-confidence, embraced my potential, and absorbed influencing power. This is all because Sankey didn’t allow me to give up and underestimate myself. The constant mentoring from the leadership team helped me to grow like them and fight back different challenges. I reflected on myself as a better version every day. Today, I can gladly say that my child aspires to become like his mom—Relentless and never giving up!
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.” — Meena Lokhande, Head HR
I never imagined that my one decision would open the doors of learning, opportunities, self-development, and growth. I was not sure if a startup could support me in my journey. I wanted to break the chain of thoughts that say ‘startups are unhealthy for mental peace; they have no growth opportunity’ etc.
However, I believe that I have taken the best decision. I am incessantly growing with Sankey Solutions for 3 years now. I always wanted to work in a culture where learning is nurtured, creativity and innovation are brewed, and opportunities are showered. I wanted to breathe in the air that has equal opportunities for all. And yes, I got this through Sankey Solutions.
I was growing and learning something new every day. I developed myself relentlessly. It was not an easy road map for sure. I fueled myself with dedication towards all the tasks I carried. I readily accepted all the challenges coming my way.
“Challenging things always bring along the biggest opportunity for growth” -Shreyash Bamane, Head of Solutions
Sankey Solutions was aligned towards transforming its workforce into its best version. They taught me to experiment with solutions and that is how they ensured that I am future-ready. From learning good communication skills, attention to detail, to empathizing with clients, I explored manifolds of pathways that had something new to learn for me.
Today when I reflect on my progress, I am proud to express that I grew incredibly in a startup. Sankey has hardwired a fact that always stays with me while crafting innovative solutions —‘Learn…Unlearn, and Re-learn’.
I joined Sankey Solutions 3 years ago with the aim to garner a unique experience in my professional career. Initially, before joining, I was nervous because my friends and family drew an image in my mind that said, ‘Start-up is stress’. However, this is not the truth. Despite the struggle, I took a decision overnight to join Sankey Solutions. No sooner, I realized that the decision I made that night was correct.
At Sankey, I was experiencing something new and exciting every day. I was learning and growing with every dawn. Every milestone was a success for me. I was being appreciated for every effort I made. I was celebrated for every milestone I achieve for the organization. I was invited to be a part of the leadership team within 2 years of my career. Sankey overwhelmed me with manifolds of opportunities to grow and prove myself. They introduced me to better challenges that helped me know where I stand. Today, I am an independent woman, confident soul, and a leader because of Sankey Solutions. Initially, it was a challenge for me to understand the clients and their requirements. However, my helpful team and generous colleagues helped me learn to put myself in the client’s shoes and come up with a solution they desire. I have absorbed to proceed in life by having a bigger picture and end goal in my mind. Sankey is not only my first company but my home as well. To me, it is an unbiased company, that treats a fresher and a leader equally.
Here I am being recognized based on who I am and what I want to be irrespective of any gender inequality. At Sankey Solutions, I will be a women leader to ensure that every female treat herself just like an independent woman to live her dreams.
Always believe in the fact a person should be prepared for the situation before happening rather regretting later. If you plan it will well, you will succeed because…,
“Every situation happens twice, once we dream it and second, we live it!”-Kajol Chawla, Head of Solutions
Manifolds of tasks awaiting her hands, but her smile and readiness for multitasking never stops to expand. It takes a good deal of courage and audacity to endure a dual journey of motherhood and a professional career altogether. Continuing on an upward career trajectory along with establishing unconditional care and love for her offspring, is something that every ‘SHE’ strives for. This dual journey is like an emotional roller coaster. It escorts tons of fickleness while harmonizing with career aspirations along with family expectations. However, these robust souls never choose to compromise with their two different families.
Sankey Solutions deeply admire all those women who have ‘multi-tasking’ as their watchword. Mothers at Sankey valiantly wave their success flags for being in charge of self-confident mothers and professionals.
These 4 brave mothers at Sankey Solutions, convene together to share their uplifting stories on how Sankey Solutions is helping them to ace their motherhood along with professional careers.
- Meena Lokhande, Mom of Rudang (2.5 years old)
I hail from a decent family that always wanted me to be independent. My dad struggled interminably to give us access to better education so that we can live a better life and give our children a preferable life. I married at a very young age. I entered into a new family with new responsibilities. However, what remained constant were my dreams and ambitions. I choose to work to up bring my son with a step ahead education and values. Sankey Solution gave me a big platform to embrace my motherhood with comfort and ease. They encouraged me to multi-task. Since then, I have never felt like a working mother. Instead, have always felt like an empowered mother. It took a lot of courage to keep my 6months old son at home. I could do that smoothly because of Sankey’s constant support and understanding. Sankey always kept me flexible with time. I am glad to be a part of an organization that gave me a work-life balance without depleting my leaves and working hours. I surpassed several challenges because of Sankey’s limitless cooperation with me.
- Greeshma Nair, Mom of Anika (3 years old)
I always aim to set a paradigm of independent and confident women for my daughter. I never restricted myself from opportunities because I wanted to be a role model for my child. My daughter tries to interpret what I practice. Hence, I make sure to undergo all the activities that will introduce her to the learning and values of life. The best thing is, my daughter grasps all the values that Sankey has upskilled in me. Sankey has always acted as a pillar of support, strength, and care for me. A working mother needs enough courage to keep her child away from her. However, with Sankey Solutions, I could easily balance my attention towards my daughter and work. With this amazing organization, I never had to set back my boat of two different families. Sankey’s understanding of my motherhood capacitated me to give quality time to my family as well. My supportive colleagues never asked me to stay back for a long duration. I am so thankful to Sankey for supporting me as a mom and as a working mom.
- Priya Gawde, Mom of Samruddhi and Siddhi (19 & 11 years old)
It has been around 16 years since I am working along with sharing my motherhood. I am an ambitious woman who always wanted to be independent along with ensuring good education and upbringing of my children. I always believed that a working mother is the epitome of self-confidence and strength. A thing that motivated me was the essay that was written by my daughters for me. They termed me a ‘Good human being’ because of my efforts towards the growth and happiness of my family. I was awe-struck when I read that my daughters want to be hardworking and determined just like their mother. That fine day, I realized that I have to grow every day. With Sankey Solutions, my career has grown, but in return, my kids have thrived. I have not grappled with prioritizing my children. I am thankful for the flexibility, benefits, and work-life balance commitment from Sankey.
- Rekha Bhavsar, Mom of Shreeya (10years old)
I grew with a mindset that if you are blessed with education, you must not waste it by simply letting it go. I never defined boundaries for me nor my daughter where learning was concerned. When I became a mother, I kept my learning curve uninterrupted. Because, what I will learn today, my daughter would learn that tomorrow. We all know that a mother is the first influencer for her child. Hence, I showcased all the things Sankey taught me to enhance into a better human being. From communication skills to management, Sankey helps me to grow incredibly as an individual. I can proudly say that my daughter is growing into a better person because of Sankey Solutions and its values. I’m fortunate to have Sankey Solutions for being so supportive of working mothers while helping them to provide the necessary care and support.
My career at Sankey Solutions has introduced me to multitudinous directions. I graduated as an engineer from an ordinary college. I hail from a city that has a very tad breadth in terms of career and education because of which I had to limit my ambitions. I always fancied envisioning myself to grow and learn in everything I practice. Numerous things obstructed me to grow and accept the challenges around me. However, I never gave up. I never wanted to box myself into any specific technology or domain. Having a monotonous job was never on my list. But, does that mean that I must stop being ambitious and growing? No!
“Never box yourself into things. Life has to be challenging and if it is not, trust me you are not living the best life”-Karan Rao, Head of Solutions
Fortunately, I made a wonderful decision by joining the inspiring environment of Sankey Solutions. The real-time experience and exposure I got here during my fresher days was unbelievable. At a very early stage, I got an opportunity to interact with clients and get involved into the crucial decisions of the organization. Ever since I joined Sankey, I am introduced to incessant growth opportunities. They helped me to embrace the better and confident version of myself seamlessly. Today, within 4 years of my career, I am seamlessly managing APAC clients. Without Sankey, I would have been oblivious about my concealed potential. Here, I am empowered to contribute massively and bring new ideas to the table by uncovering an innovative me. I am encouraged to test ideas and have the team rally around me to help me explore, fathom and prototype them efficaciously. This wonderful ecosystem of Sankey helped me tremendously to unveil my hidden caliber and skills. It intrigued me to take up manifold challenges at a time which ignited an ability of multi-directional thinking and active problem solving.
The best thing is that I am a real engineer here. Here, I don’t simply give syntax-oriented solutions, I architect and engineer solutions.