Success Story - Ruchi N.
Unemployable:
Ruchi Nadkarni was convinced she was “unemployable,” even though she had founded a thriving international NGO, and earned a BSc, MA, and recently completed an MBA program. As a first-generation immigrant and woman of color, Nadkarni struggled to understand how her skills and experience were worth anything to an employer. So, she watched her peers and became intent on fitting into the mold she thought potential employers wanted.
“In management consulting, you have to find a way to fit into the narrative.”
Nadkarni believed that the only way to succeed was to figure out what people wanted and then do everything possible to meet those expectations – even if it meant twisting herself into a pretzel.
A Lesson Learned:
Working with Collective Engagement taught Nadkarni that not only should she not bend to fit a mold, but there was value in retaining her individuality. A disconnect is created when people think they have to meet imagined expectations. However, when people are given permission to be themselves authentically, true connections are made.
The Collective Engagement framework helps employees hone in on who they are as a person, what they value, and how that aligns with their contributions to an organization.
“We’re led to believe things are supposed to be in a certain format and it was refreshing to
come away knowing how we want to express ourselves.”
Throughout the process, Collective Engagement helps employees quantify previous experiences, so they can see the true value of what they have to offer. Approaching engagement from this unique angle gives employees more agency, which increases overall motivation and commitment.
Strength, Power & Agency:
Our framework helps participants understand that embracing their complete selves opens up opportunities instead of limiting them. This shift from a fixed mindset, where we fail to recognize opportunities, to a growth mindset that believes all things are possible, is transformative.
“It’s about your voice and who you are.”
When individuals grasp how they can thrive and organizations use that understanding to match individuals with the right roles, both parties achieve success.
Nadkarni no longer wastes time attempting to emulate other consultants. Once she learned how to integrate her "professional" self with all her unique qualities, Nadkarni realized that she was the secret sauce.
The freedom to wholeheartedly embrace herself has also enabled her employer to reap the benefits of more innovation, problem-solving skills and overall engagement, all of which contribute to the organization’s long-term success.