By Tejal Rathod | 3TP SLP 2018
Career paths rarely follow a straight line. Mine certainly did not. Instead, it unfolded through a series of explorations, unexpected turns, and bold decisions shaped by curiosity, risk-taking, and adaptability. This story is about embracing transitions, making unconventional choices, and learning valuable lessons along the way. It celebrates the diversity of a professional journey that spans multiple sectors, entrepreneurial ventures, and personal growth.
After spending two decades in the Information Technology space, delivering value to customers and leading digital transformations, I transitioned into founding elementsD Coach Professional Services (eDC). This new chapter focuses on professional growth, mental and emotional well-being, and conscious leadership. My career reflects a continuous pursuit of passion, learning, and impact.
Embracing Curiosity as a Career Compass
Curiosity has been the driving force behind every major shift in my career. Early on, I realized that sticking to a rigid plan would limit my growth and opportunities. Instead, I chose to explore different roles, industries, and challenges that sparked my interest.
For example, while working in IT, I was fascinated by how technology could transform customer experiences and business outcomes. This curiosity led me to take on projects that involved digital transformation, which not only expanded my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of business strategy and customer needs.
Curiosity also pushed me to explore areas beyond technology. I pursued education and training in Executive Management, Psychology, and Health & Nutrition. These fields seemed unrelated at first, but they connected deeply with my growing interest in workplace dynamics, leadership, and well-being.
This willingness to explore new territories without a fixed destination allowed me to build a unique skill set over decades. It also prepared me to recognize and seize unexpected opportunities that aligned with my evolving passions, while they were constantly providing aid in solutions to adversities faced in workplace collaboration (with peer groups and senior leadership), conflict management, and addressing customer-facing engagements, keeping the interests of all parties involved well-served.
Taking Risks to Unlock New Possibilities
Risk-taking is often seen as a gamble, but in my experience, it is a necessary step toward meaningful growth. Each career transition involved stepping out of comfort zones and embracing uncertainty.
One significant risk was leaving a stable corporate career after twenty years to start my own coaching practice. This move required confidence in my abilities and a clear vision of the impact I wanted to create. It also meant learning new skills related to entrepreneurship, marketing, and client management.
Another example was shifting focus from purely technical roles to coaching and therapy. This change demanded not only new qualifications but also a mindset shift—from delivering solutions to guiding others through their challenges and growth. The equity of lived experiences built through curiosity proved to be foundational here.
Taking risks also meant accepting failures and setbacks as part of the journey. For instance, some initiatives I led did not achieve the expected results, but they provided invaluable insights into customer needs, demographics, and orientation, leading to making quick, adaptable changes in services offered.
By embracing risk thoughtfully, I opened doors to opportunities that enriched my career and personal fulfillment, while resilience to bounce back from any setbacks redrew another mindset: “Failure is a redirection towards your goal and not the end of a vision”.
Adapting to Change and Growing Through Transitions
Adaptability has been essential in navigating the twists and turns of my career. The professional landscape is constantly evolving, and staying flexible allowed me to respond effectively to new demands and environments. Working with diverse teams across geographies and functions taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity and communication. It also highlighted how leadership styles must adjust to different contexts to inspire and support others.
A few years before I transitioned to coaching and therapy, I adapted my corporate experience to a more personalized, empathetic approach through corporate network mentoring circles. This shift required continuous learning and self-reflection to align my methods, which is now helping me immensely to effectively address my clients’ needs.
Adaptability also meant integrating my interests in mental and emotional well-being, holistic lifestyle, and nutrition into my coaching practice. This holistic perspective helps clients achieve total health and professional success, a horsepower to sustain meaningful happiness.
This was necessarily challenging with regard to. time & prioritization, which led me to also make crucial decisions, on the company I kept and vested my time in. Having to carve out new time led to deeper & meaningful connections, which in itself led to increased motivation to continue staying open to change and continuously updating my skills. And this helped in maintaining relevance and effectiveness throughout my career.
A winding path through a forest represents a career journey shaped by curiosity and adaptability
Lessons Learned from an Unconventional Career Path
My journey has taught me several key lessons that I believe can benefit anyone navigating their own career:
- Follow your curiosity, not just a plan
Plans provide direction, but curiosity fuels discovery. Allow yourself to explore interests and opportunities that may not fit a traditional mold.
- View risk as a growth opportunity
Taking risks can be uncomfortable, but it often leads to new skills, perspectives, and achievements. Prepare well, but don’t let fear hold you back.
- Adaptability is a survival skill
Change is constant. Being flexible and willing to learn keeps you relevant and opens doors to unexpected possibilities.
- Invest in continuous learning
Pursuing education and training beyond your current role enriches your expertise and broadens your impact.
- Integrate personal passions with professional goals
Aligning your work with what truly matters to you creates deeper satisfaction and motivation.
- Mentoring and coaching enrich your journey
Helping others grow not only benefits them but also deepens your own understanding and leadership skills.
Celebrating Diversity in Career Experiences
My career reflects a blend of sectors, roles, and interests that might seem unconventional but have created a rich professional tapestry. From leading digital transformations that impacted billions of dollars in customer business to coaching individuals on leadership and well-being, each experience added a unique layer.
Cross-sector transitions—from IT to coaching and therapy—allowed me to apply lessons learned in one field to another, creating innovative approaches. Entrepreneurial ventures challenged me to build and sustain a business aligned with my values.
This diversity has been a source of strength, enabling me to connect with a wide range of clients and colleagues. It also demonstrates that career success does not require a linear path but rather a commitment to growth and authenticity.
Moving Forward with Purpose and Passion
As I continue this journey, my focus remains on supporting others in their professional and personal growth. The lessons of curiosity, risk-taking, and adaptability guide my coaching practice and leadership development work.
For anyone feeling uncertain about their career path, I encourage embracing exploration and being open to change. Your unique experiences and interests can lead to fulfilling opportunities that you might not have imagined.
Remember, a career is not just a job or title—it is a lifelong journey shaped by your choices, values, and willingness to grow.
Author Bio:
Tejal Rathod (she/her) is a ‘Management Psychology & Workplace Well-being’ Peter Drucker Management Excellence Award-winning expert, Executive Coach & Therapist, Author, Speaker, and Founder at eDC (www.elementsdcoach.com), having over two decades of diverse corporate work experience (Ex: IIM-A, Amazon). She believes in leaving a legacy of positive work culture through personal growth and elevating one’s consciousness for meaningful success in life. Tejal engages with Individuals, Professionals, and Organizations worldwide while specializing in Work Dynamics & Culture, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Behavioral Transformation, Professional Skills Development, Mental Health & Emotional Well-being, and Holistic Lifestyle Coaching.
