Rewriting The Rules with Author Ritu G. Mehrish

Speaker A: I don't say much I execute in silence they only know what I want them to know. They only know what I want them to know they only know what I want them to know yeah. Kinetic energy is begging me to reach my potential. Life sure does look different when you're on another level. My devotion to hip hop is what keeps my soul going. Allow me to take you on a journey. Send you back to a moment where the energy was raw and born out of struggle. Innovation always kept us out of trouble. Busting that new move spitting that fresh rhythm it felt like life kept giving us unlimited.

Speaker B: Well, hey, happy, uh, Thursday if you're in Singapore listening to this, um, today we got a guest from all the way across the world, um, Risa Marish. She is the author of a book called Rewrite the Rules and she's also written another book. But today I think we'll just focus on Rewrite the Rules. And she, she actually hosted my, uh, co author Earl in, in Singapore, uh, at Book Bar, which, uh, happened over a year ago already. But I was thinking to myself, I've got to, you know, meet Ritu because I just think that, um, I, I, I need to explore the book and, and um, you know, there's, there's so much that she does, I think is going to benefit the audience just from her career story. And uh, you know, I'm sure she has more to say, but you know, 20 years of global experience and uh, you know, um, she's doing some great things for uh, women leaders in Asia especially. So Ritu, just thank you for the time today.

Speaker C: Hey, thank you, Dan, for inviting, uh, me, uh, I'm actually looking forward to the conversation because as you said, I had met your co author and I get to meet you now. Thank you. Now.

Speaker B: Yeah, you know, Rita, we were like half awake and really jet lagged. We, we, we came from uh, the west coast of the United Pacific time. So I'm, we were just putting on happy faces. But, uh, how was that for you though? I, I never spoke enough in depth with Earl about like that event in, in Singapore which was um, quite historic. You know, when you write a book, it's, it's like all those events and you meet strangers and sign their copies. It's so cool. So was it like, for you?

Speaker C: No, it, Listen, listen, I think that's the best part. Of course, the tough part is writing the book. Um, but then people forget that there's a second part which is taking your book out, right? Like, um, you know, I know you, you are young you're not a parent, but it's almost like, okay, you've had the baby. Now you're showing the baby to the world. Uh, you know, and then as parent, you're, like, very skeptical. I hope everybody likes my baby. I hope nobody says the baby is ugly or something like that. Right. So those are the emotions that go on in your mind. Um, and then when come, um, you know, for that. For that signature or, like, signing the book, it's. It's a very heady feeling, I must say that, um, even though, you know, we may put this very stoic face saying, oh, it doesn't matter. It's for the book. It's the impact. But actually, as humans, you know, we all crave that. Right? So it's nice when somebody comes, says, hey, we read your book. It's really cool. Or somebody comes, can you sign it for us? It's a great feeling. I. I don't know, Dan. Maybe you're experiencing that, too, and people come up to you and say, sign the book.

Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. It's a little starstruck. I. I think I'm the only Penguin author who lives in, like, America. Sorry, the Penguin. Random. Um, and just. I guess I'd only go to, like, Asia for vacations and stuff, but there I was, like, a businessman.

Speaker C: Yes.

Speaker B: So it was so cool, uh, to hear from strangers and just, uh, in a different country and city, you know, to think about, like, this book is something that, um, has been bought or has been resonated with or, um, celebrated in a place across the world is pretty, uh, hard to believe.

Speaker C: It is. It is. Um, you know, it's just, uh, adding to that. I remember my first book. Somebody sent me a picture of that book from Germany. One of my colleagues or one of my clients, and they said, hey, look, we got this book in Germany. And I was, that time, elated. I was like, how did the book, which is published in Southeast Asia, read? Germany. Right. So you're right. Like, sometimes just, you, uh, don't know where the book travels.

Speaker B: Yeah. You know, I'm realizing, too, I had a friend, her name is Nikki. She travels a lot. And I'm like, you're in Asia. She's in Europe one day. And I'm like, europe and Asia aren't that far from each other, apparently. Right. Like, they're. They're neighbors. But normally that's like, how many miles is that? Like 4,000 miles from India or from Singapore?

Speaker C: Even more. I don't know.

Speaker B: Wow. Um. Yeah. So. So what made you decide to write A book. I know Rewrite the Rules was your second. But um, I guess originally you. Did Penguin come to you or did you just, you know, tell them or.

Speaker C: So, um, yeah, no. So my relationship with Penguin began with the first book. So um, I remember. So second book was more like. Okay. It had been four years that they came back saying hey, are you thinking of the second book? Ah, we would love to, uh, we would love to publish it, um, with you, you know. So, so the second book came like my editor, um, kind of egging me on saying okay, what's the next book like? Are you thinking of the second book? So that, that came easy. But the first book was pretty interesting because when I had thought of an idea for my first book, um, I was very new to the world of writing. Right. I didn't know. Um, so I had talked to some people there was option of self publishing or going through an all, uh, through a publisher. I didn't know. Uh, and I thought, okay, maybe I'll just write it and publish it. And then somebody told me there's a hybrid thing where you could, there are agencies who publish it for you, uh, but they're not well known publishers. But you know, so it's a mix. Uh, and that's what I thought I would do. But then somebody actually connected me to. Didn't even connect. They gave me an email id. They're like, listen, it's a very interesting topic. Why don't you just write um, on this email ID and send whatever you have like this paragraph or this one chapter or your idea. And um, I, I know it's hard to believe, but that's exactly what I did. And I did it to two publishers. So Penguin. And there's another very well known publisher, I won't name them, uh, in India. And um, both of them came back and um, I had to make a choice. So. Yeah, so that's how it is, that's how it happened.

Speaker B: Yeah. Um, did, did you uh, you know, when you were writing the book, did, did you think that it was something that could become what it eventually became? Or were you just you know, trying to I guess get ideas out there and, and just experiment or you know. Cause for me I, it was a long shot for sure. Like we uh, we, we, we spent like four years at least trying to write it and all that. And I think um, you were close to giving up. So how was your uh, you know, journey with that? Did you have uh, doubts or was it like straight shot to writing and did it go the way you Wanted it to go originally, you know.

Speaker C: So should I talk about the first book experience or the second book experience?

Speaker B: Oh, man. Um, the first book, let's remind people the first book, it was called the first book.

Speaker C: It's called Leader block. Yeah, Leaders block. And, um, the hypothesis of that was that just as best of writers go through writer's block and then come out of it and write the best book, uh, best of leaders go through leaders block and then come out of it and go on to do the best work.

Speaker B: I'm a leader.

Speaker C: So, uh. So my first book, actually a little bit of background is that that was something that I was really, um, that I really wanted to kind of send out that message, um, you know, to your earlier question, because what had happened was I had come off, um, from my corporate world, and, um, I was talking to a lot of leaders, and I was speaking to a lot of leaders, um, and everybody was saying, oh, we need, um, you know, our leaders to be very effective, very productive, profitable, efficient, all of that. Um, but then nobody was talking about what happens when leaders struggle or when they go through their challenges. Who do they speak to? What happens then? Um, and actually in private, when I was talking to a lot of leaders, I could see, you know, there were times that they were getting stuck or there were the challenges that, you know, um, for, for example, if they were transitioning into something big, or for example, if a company got restructured, for example, if they moved to a different location, right? Like, obviously, then some things had to shift, and that's when they felt little blocked because they were out of, you know, their comfort. So one of the things. And I had just come out of corporate world, and I knew that of course, no leader has a straight, linear journey, right? Like, there'll always be little bit of bumps. Then you come up, there'll again be a little bit of bumps. So it's. It's like journey, right? Everybody says leadership is a journey. And, uh, any journey, whether it's road, whether it's. Whether it's air, has bumps, right? Or has roadblocks or whatever you call it, depending on what, uh, you know, what journey you're doing. So I wanted to actually normalize this whole thing of that leaders will go through a slump, period. Leaders will go through a period when they are not on top of their game and the results could vary. Uh, so that almost became like, I wanted to have that point of view to leadership instead of just saying, oh, motivate yourself, become more profitable, become more profit, uh, you know, productive. I wanted to kind of have a little bit of a different stance. Um, so, so my first book was born out of that thing. And, um, to your question, did I want to give up at some point in time or thing? Uh, so by that time I realized I'm obviously I'm not an author, not a trained author. I had just gone from writing emails to writing a book, literally. Um, so actually I searched for a book coach and, uh, I worked with somebody who helped me go through this journey a bit. Um, so there's a book coach based out of Australia. Um, I got in touch with him and he, he helps authors do that and he also runs his own publishing. So, uh, yeah, so I actually worked with him for I think about nine months, um, to go through the journey and he kept me very accountable. Of course there were times where like, oh, this chapter is like looking all rubbish. It's not sounding correct, right? And, uh, he would like every week we would have a quick check in and he would say, and one of the advice he gave me, which I applied in my second book also, he's like, when you're writing, just write. Don't start editing that time or don't start going back and rereading it because you'll never move forward. Like, finish one chapter, write as much as you want to, then start reading it. Don't read it while you're writing.

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Speaker C: No, no, I did work with Cassandra.

Speaker B: He was amazing. Apparently it only took one editor or maybe one main editor from Penguin. And, uh, Earl and I are pretty smart, but our thoughts were just not connected at all. And. And then we come back and, like, she's like, oh, just fix this. I'm like, oh, that's all we have to do. But then sometimes the deadlines would come, right? Like, um, for example, just send it back by Wednesday. And we. We didn't send it. I was. I was watching tv. It is fun writing a book, though no one really mentions it. And a lot of the authors, I think, who make the New York Times, like, they're, you know, they're successful because of, like, the PR angle. Like, maybe they're already famous or, like, there's, like, a big investment from whoever. And I don't even think they wrote the book. They just talked and somebody wrote it.

Speaker C: Ghost writers, right?

Speaker B: Yeah. And it's. It's like you and I did. I'm pretty sure we.

Speaker C: We spent hours, months.

Speaker B: There are some tears here that just, um. I guess, like one. One cool question for you, Ritu, is, uh, how did it feel like to. To receive the book and, you know, your first five or few copies, was it something you. You. How would you describe that moment? Because I did something else.

Speaker C: I mean, it was amazing because, um, they sent us a few copies. As you say you get your author's copy is actually quite unbelievable. To hold that hard copy, like the printed version right in your hand and see it and see your name, like, really written in bold. And, uh, it was amazing. It is really amazing. I must say that. And then, um, even so, that was obviously very special. And then there was special because as soon as the book was launched, it was in some bookstores. Friends and colleagues would send me pictures of it being in the bookstores and all. So that is, like, really cool. Really cool. And one incident. I remember somebody sent me a photo, um, from the airport. In fact, one incident, I'll tell you. I was at the Delhi airport with my first book, and I was just this big bookstore there, and I was just kind of browsing around, and I saw my book there, and Then I called the person who was the shop manager or the store manager, and I said, hey, this book, um, how's this doing? And it was in the top tens, by the way, without boasting about it. Um, so I said, how's this book doing? So he said, oh, it's been doing quite well. We've just ordered more and all of that. I'm like, oh, pretty cool. And then I said, oh, by the way, I'm the author of this book. Yeah, yeah. And then he called his crew and then like, took a picture and he's like, oh, can you sign few copies for us and keep it like in the airport? I'm like, okay. Ah, yeah, sure. This is quite cool, actually.

Speaker B: Yeah, you know, it is, it is quite cool. Um, you ever been to, uh, other countries? I mean, in Southeast. Have you ever been to, like, the Philippines or like, um, Hong Kong? Seems like.

Speaker C: That's right. So I have. In fact, for my first book, I did do a book talk in Philippines. Um, my second book I did a virtual talk. But for my first book I actually did, uh, in Manila. Um, I did a big, uh, it was a big gathering. Somebody had put in an event and there were a couple of us. And I had talked about my book there, actually, I had talked about my book journey in that talk. I remember. And, um, I did that, did Malaysia. Um, we did. Um, so I'm actually, uh, for my second book, I'm going to Thailand in June. So, uh, so I'm going to be talking a little bit about the book there. Uh, you know, people will be getting a cop copy of the book. I did that in, like I said, in Bali, so a couple of places. So in India I did a book launch. So, yeah. So I covered few countries in the region. Yeah.

Speaker B: Wow. Yeah. Yeah. I, I, I just, I, I never made it into Singapore. I've got to go and maybe sometime I'll find this here. But, um, I guess way too, you know, for me, I've, as a professional author in a sense, and, and also just trying to understand like, different work cultures within Asia. Um, how did, how did you, how do you perceive it? Right, because like in the Philippines, right. Or like Singapore, it's, it's a different work culture from the U.S. i mean, um, I don't want to speculate if they're working like more than nine hours a day. But it seems like, you know, in Asia, it seems like at least there's a notion of, um, there's not enough, like, I wouldn't say creativity or, or um, it seems like there's a very, like, a strict way or approach to the culture of work. Um, I guess in your experience, like, how do you describe, like, what it's like, working? Um, maybe not only India, but, uh, Singapore, or at least different regions you've been familiar with.

Speaker C: Yeah. So I think, um, the few differences, right. I. I wouldn't say is one is stricter than the other there. Actually, Asia has a lot of nuances, right. Which I think people often miss. They just club Asia in, like, one small bucket. Uh, yeah. It's so big. Exactly. Right. And it's difficult to kind of, uh, just say, Asia has one culture, because every country here has its own culture.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: Um, so that's one. Uh, so you've got to realize that. So the way I work in Singapore, if I go to Indonesia or if I go to Malaysia, there's a little bit more. There's different culture, Noah. So I kind of shift a bit, uh, when I'm, you know, when I'm working with leaders from Malaysia or Indonesia. Um, right. Um. Versus, let's say, if I'm working with somebody in India or working with somebody in Japan, for that matter. Right. Japan is Asia, too. Like, people forget very different culture. So m. Or Korea, for that matter. So, um, so. So one is that every country has its thing, right? So it's very unfair to say, oh, Asia is like one culture. There isn't one culture. Uh, the other thing is the nuance that people miss is the language. Right. Remember, for most of, like, for majority, 99, 95% of people in Asia, English is not the first language. Right. We learn it in school. Uh, of course. Now, kids, you know, speak at home, whatever. It's changing. But till. Till a lot of time, even now, in homes, people just speak their regional language or their own language. Right. English is not necessarily. It's a business language. Okay. But that's not a lot of people's first language. Um, so then when you start to look at, oh, now suddenly you are dealing with an American leadership coming into Indonesia, There is a certain level of fluency on the language that Americans will bring, this certain style of communication they'll bring, but that's. That's quite different from maybe an Indonesian leader. Uh, you know, and so. So obviously, the way you express, the way you kind of, you know, get your point of view across, um, all of those things are quite different. Um, so I. I wouldn't say is in Asia, is the world culture more strict than America. Um, and I wouldn't say that because because they're a little bit more nuanced and a little bit more layering to that. And I say it. Having worked for a big part of my working life in the US or in the UK and also equally now spent equal amount of time in Asia. I mean, I'm from India, and also now I've been in Singapore for many, many years. Um, and in the last 10 years, I've had the opportunity to work with leaders around the, uh, leaders around the region. A lot. Like most of the work I do now is working with leaders in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Korea, Japan, uh, you know, Singapore, China. So I work quite a lot with leaders here. And, and this, this is constant thing about how certain things, how certain things are done and perceived in, in this region versus how certain things are done and perceived in the U.S. right? So there is, there is a lot more nuance than just saying, is there? Strict versus Unstrict.

Speaker B: Yeah, I, I know that, um, I guess, like, I can only speak from like, the Philippines perspective, but, um, it's just, I think, uh, I, I, I don't know what I'm trying to say. I think I'm trying to explain that there's, uh, a different approach to work. I feel like, right. Like maybe, maybe Americans, I know we like to complain a lot. You know, it's, it's just in the DNA. But, um, I, uh, I don't know. I, I think there's a heavy influence, I guess, here in terms of, like, capitalism and like, uh, wanting businesses to grow right. Rapidly. How do you feel like it is in, uh, Singapore at least? Right? Because, um, I know there's a high tax. There's, like, there's different taxes and governments, um, that definitely influences, like, the work culture and all that. How would you say, like, uh, you know, people there approach, um, business. Right. Is it more of a. Because I know in the Philippines that could be pretty lax too. You know, they could just be like, no, let's, let's do it next week or let's get lunch first. Right. Sometimes. But what's life like for you?

Speaker C: I guess so I, I'll answer a few things. Um, one, the, So I think, um. So the complaining part, let's start with that. Um, that I think is the prerogative of, um, the developed nations. Right. Like, Singapore is one of them too. Like, it's complaining is the common denominator. Right. Um, it's the developing nations, um, who probably, you know, who are okay with everything or who are trying to get over, I mean, who have enough to Complain about, but they go on doing their stuff every day. Um, so that, that is just on the lighter note, um, in terms of the whole capitalistic approach, which I think is also everywhere. I don't think so. It's only America, I guess in Asia also. Um, of course there is also, there is this big, I like to call it like the middle class strata of the society which is now got jobs and who's doing well. Uh, you know, there's access, um, which technology is enabled. Uh, so there is lot of growth from that perspective. People are much more aware. People have more access to good education, good health care, um, good life, so to say. Right? So that is, um, where at least my limited view is. Like in America also. A lot of that is kind of people just take it for granted. Okay. Like this is the base start here. People have reached that level. Um, you know, I'll give an example. Let's say in the region, any, any country, you take any developing nation in Southeast Asia, um, you know, things that are considered luxury are probably basics, right? Like let's say air conditioning. Um, even in Singapore, it's a given. You know, the buses are air conditioned, the mrt. Every place you go to, everything's air conditioned. But if you go to any other country in the region, um, it is not like every, every person there has an air condition, right? Like even though it's warm. So, so now if you have an air condition, yes, you worked and you've got it now. You have access to that luxury, right? So the way you work or approach life is quite different. You're trying to kind of uh, you know, get to some of these things which in a lot of countries are basic.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. You know, uh, what's it called? I remember I stayed in um, Makati in uh, Manila, which was about over a year ago. And even the security, not the doorman, he, he had such good energy. He was smiling and laughing and I wanted to give him some shoes before I left. But just the fact that he would stand there for like eight hours. And here I am in the US just barely. I, I complain to get out of bed or something. Sometimes I'm like, why is there such a gap in mindsets and just uh, approaches to work? Um, why would you say there is? Right? I know your book kind of talked about like the, there was like the spiral, the spiral staircase versus the ladder example, I think. Or the straight up staircase. Uh, do you think, like the fact that uh, uh, people approach made from the developed nations like the US or like European country, like, they're, they have those luxuries, so it's like they're more likely to complain about their job or their life. I'm just. I'm just kind of flabbergasted.

Speaker C: You know, it's, um. Like AJ rightly said, it's. It's what you're aspiring, right? And what you're aspiring towards and what you want to achieve. Um, when, um, I think in the developing, uh, nation, people have found that, okay, through education, through good jobs, that's the, the gateway to a good life. Uh, you know, that's where that's. And that's how they work very hard. Um, that's how they know that now they have a job, they may not like it, or even if they have to put in that extra, it's going to give them that extra. Um, and I think also culturally, Southeast Asia especially, I can talk about it. And when I say Southeast Asia, I am including India and China and even Japan are also very, um, culturally are very family driven. Ah. Family oriented. And what that means is that me as a parent will work very hard because I want to provide for my kids a better life. Right. So it's not that. Okay, I just earn enough to keep myself happy or just provide for myself. I'm going to. Whatever I'm earning, I'm going to save a certain amount to provide for the next, for the next generation, whether it's my kids, whether it's my family, whoever it is. Right. Um, when kids start doing very well, uh, they, um, they kind of, you know, provide to their parents. I mean, that's a norm. Uh, and that's very culturally ingrained. Right. So there, I think there is also this whole thing about when you're working, when you're doing things, something. It's beyond just yourself. I think that's a big difference. I see. It's not just about me, myself. It's about the ecosystem. It's my family, it's my kids. It's. It's community. Like all of that

Speaker B: country, you know, country pride. Just community. Friends too. That too. Um, as a very excellent point to. I, uh, think just me living in America and like, seeing the glory. Is that glorization a word or the glamorization of, uh, the self, like, let's say, like. Oh, you know, like everybody so wants to brag about the promotion they had or the new country they visited or like the new food they're trying. And I'm like, yeah, I know you guys, like, more than beyond the screen. Like, there's A lot of other things they complain about. And it's like, um, something's not right here. Right? Like, they, they just. And I think it's just the isolation, not selfishness. But some people who don't get the privilege to start a family or maybe they're. They. They just. They're so focused on themselves and their careers. I think that's like a. A rabbit hole and a pitfall, in my opinion. Just doesn't seem to get that fulfillment. Right. I read a book in AP English class when I was in a junior called in high school, and it was called into the Wild. And it had a quote by the main character who said, happiness, uh, is only real when real one shared. So I get into that and it's like, what if you don't have anybody to share with? Because sometimes you just. That's. That's the cards. Um, Asia, I love how there's that family aspect. Um, would you. And I think that that blends into the work culture, um, from premier perspective. Ritu. Uh, how can I guess? Like somebody who doesn't have that. I, um, don't say like that person they could provide for or like the other people in their lives. How could they, like, find meaning in their work? Because, you know, maybe when it's just yourself, right, You. They doubt the. I don't want to show up because I don't have. That's just me. You're just buying like a couple. You know what I mean?

Speaker C: Yeah. Yeah. And look, I think, Dan, I. I would find it very difficult to believe that, um, there is a person just by themselves.

Speaker B: Right?

Speaker C: Um, of course. Maybe for whatever reason, there's no immediate family, let's say whatever reason. Right. There has to be an extended family. There has to be friends. There has to be apart from friends. If your friends don't need what you're offering, there have to be people who probably have less than what you are or they. They are, um, they are, um, you know, areas which you are passionate about and you want to contribute without thinking, oh, what am I going to get out of it? Um, you know, sometimes simple things like maybe mentoring somebody, I'm just making it like giving a very simple example, but just mentoring somebody, uh, that is just taking your time and sharing your expertise. That could be so helpful, but without expecting it, without making it a big deal, without making it a transaction, uh, you know, just talking to maybe younger people, um, and when they get something out of it that will give you fulfillment. Right. Um, it's not necessarily all the time about oh, I've got money, can I share? It's your time, it's your expertise. Um, you know, it's whatever you have, it's whatever you want to give. Uh, in fact, I was reading somewhere that like, after certain things, it's basically Maslow's hierarchy, right? Like that after your certain needs are met and everything, then what do you do? The self actualization is just that, that you start thinking beyond yourself and then you think, how do you contribute? And you. And a lot of time people think, oh, only if I give away my health, uh, wealth I'm contributing. But actually you don't have to wait till you get enough wealth to contribute. You can contribute through your time, you can contribute through your expertise. You can volunteer somewhere. You could just smile at a neighbor. I think it's a mindset rather than just thinking, okay, now when I have this pot of gold, I'm gonna go and share it with everybody.

Speaker B: No, that's an amazing example. Ritu, um, what I was gonna ask you too was, um, how did you. I'm guessing you're a full time entrepreneur and like a author as well. Um, how did you decide to do that with your career? You know, I think, uh, I think the, the view on entrepreneurship and touring business, maybe in that in Asia is a little different from here in the U.S. um, was it something that you, uh, you know, um, immediately knew the answer to, to begin or like to work on or.

Speaker C: Actually, no, I didn't. Um, I, um, when I, when I decided to shift gears, um, you know, and I know maybe that's not even a relevant thing in the US because you don't have cars with gas, so you don't realize shifting gears means what that means. It's a very, it's a very old people' or shifting gears, right? Like when you had the cars with the gears and you shift the gear, everything is automatic. But basically when I decided that, okay, I want to change, I, I didn't really didn't. I didn't know. But the only thing I knew is that I wanted to do something different. Um, I had also, what I call, like, I had got to that midlife, um, you know, situation where thinking, okay, I could keep doing more of what I was doing. And I, I was really at the peak of my career. I was doing 12. Um, and uh, you know, I had a big role. I had like really big teams, everything. And, and I loved it. So it wasn't like I was miserable in my job or something like that. It wasn't, I was really Happy. Uh, but I just had this nagging thing of what else do I want to do? Uh, you know, okay, now from here on, I was a vice president that time. I, I was like, okay, I can become a senior vice president, but then what? Right? Like my thing was. And what. And um, and I was not a specialist in anything because big part of my career I have been a generalist. I led a pnl, I was a commercial leader. But, but you know, I just led big teams and business, but I wasn't a super specialist. And um, but then I, I kind of talked to a few people. I actually got a coach to work with too. Again, I'm a sucker for like taking help whenever I'm not sure. And that's what I tell leaders. Please go for anything. You get stuck. Get help. Get help. Right? Like it's, it's powerful to, for help and not try.

Speaker B: And now do, uh, when looking for a coach, do you, do you uh, apply to. I mean it's, it's kind of like a how do you know this is the right coach for you? Or like, you know, like did you just take uh, the first one who accepts the interest? Like how does that go?

Speaker C: Um, okay, so, so, so my, in my case, my leader was quite um, quite progressive. He actually got us coaches. We're a small team and um, you know, and, and the coach was not to help me figure out my path, but the coach was to help me with the business thing. But somehow during that process she gave me a lot of clarity. Um, but to answer your thing, how do you finalize a coach you obviously to meet? Firstly you look for what, uh, you look for. You have to be clear what you want in a coach and what do you want the coach for? Um, uh, and the other thing is then the experience the coach brings that you know, for example, if you are in the corporate world and if you're looking for clarity, if you're looking for how do I work better with stakeholders, how do I kind of manage my teams better, how do I become more self aware. Then you want a coach who probably has lived that life little bit, you know, so that he or she can understand your world a bit. Um, it may not be exact same but have to be. And that's, that's been a little bit of my realization that me now that I work with a lot of leaders and, and I ask them, you know, sometimes after I've worked and they why did you select me? Or why thing this comes up as number one thing. They're like, yeah, the fact that you've lived our life in some shape or form before, we know, like, you will understand this better. And then the second thing is chemistry meetings. You've got to meet people because on paper somebody may look perfect, but then when you meet, it's like something is off. Right. Like. So the chemistry meeting is very important for both coach and the. Both.

Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. Is there like a. I don't even know how. How would. Let's say somebody doesn't have a coach, but they think that they could use a coach. I'm friends with a. If you know Simon. Simon Alexander on. He, um, he's kind of big in Singapore. He's actually part Malaysian Singaporean actually, funny enough. But, uh, he. He's a. I guess a famous, semi famous, um, life coach kind of thing. Um, for you, were you looking for career coaches or like just, um, job advanced kind of coaching? Like what kind of coaches in particular for that situation?

Speaker C: In that situation, actually. So the coach who came in, like I said, my boss, had, um, got two, three coaches for the team. So she was mainly coming from a business perspective. It just during that journey she made me realize few things. So it wasn't like, okay, I like. It wasn't like I got her saying, I'm stuck and I need. It was just during that thing that she made me realize what are some of my strengths? What do I thrive on, what do I really like? And. And just a short answer to that is that she made me kind of think back and say, okay, my best work, my best, um, you know, when I felt best, when I've produced best, when I've, you know, been really successful, is when I work with people. I'm not somebody who just likes to work on themselves. So I probably don't have a master skill, but I have the skill of working very well with people and I can, you know, get. Get best out of them. So to say whether, uh, it was clients, whether it was my own team. Uh, you know, because just to give you a, uh, breadth of the team I managed, I had like thousand people, um, eight countries, five continents. I had teams in Mexico, Guatemala. I had teams in Hungary, Poland, uk, um, China and um, you know, so. And I was, um, you know, I was in the US for some time. Then I was in India. So. Yeah. So like all over at. In fact, there's a joke that, um, I mean, I use it as a joke, but in my last role, I had six direct reports and six of them were six men from six different nationalities. Yes.

Speaker B: Really? Wow. Yeah. Um, What, What, Um, I guess, like when you're younger in your career, like, what. What exactly were you aiming to achieve? Right. Like, I guess going back into, like, providing for family and, you know, education and, you know, career. Jobs are the, uh, foundation of, you know, stability income financially at least. Right. Like, uh, were you just, um, looking to make an impact on the world through these organizations?

Speaker C: Okay.

Speaker B: You know, people don't. People back then. I know that they. My. My family, my parents, they. They didn't. Um. There was no such thing as, like, do what you're passionate about. Just, let's go.

Speaker C: I agree, I agree. Yeah. Look, um, it was similar for me. Uh, you know, I started working way back in 96, so like many, many years back now. Um, and it was about getting a good education, it was about getting a good job. I, um, remember in the late 90s, um, actually, you know. Uh, yeah, in the 90s, not late 90s, mid-90s, early 90s. Um, uh, India had, um, you know, opened up in the sense before that it was more of a. It wasn't a socialist thing, but it was like, um. It had a lot of Indian companies thing, but it opened its door to the world. So the globalization, so to say, had kicked in. Like, a lot of, um, foreign companies had come into India and this, that. So 90s and 2000s was like a great time for. For people like us to have a great career because we got exposure to all these big multinational companies, uh, and their work culture and things like that. So when I got into workforce, my thing was to, oh, this is really good. So it was to learn, um, it was of course to grow, um, but it was just to explore, um, and as you said, stability. You know, I had studied very hard. I got this job after studying, uh, so I really wanted to do well, uh, and then get myself. I remember buying myself the first car with the money that I think. And that was like huge, um, thing taking my parents for. For, you know, for an overseas holiday and all of those things. Right? Because you had access to. To money, um, you know, which you could spend. Which. Which you could spend apart from your usual stuff, right? Like where you could. Then because of the money, you could. You had access to some of these luxuries, uh, so to say. Uh, so a lot of initial years was about that. It, it wasn't really, frankly saying it wasn't about creating an impact in the world. It was creating an impact in the family, really. Um, yeah, you know, because that was our world, uh, to be fair. And um. So it started from there, uh, it's only later on in the career where you get to, okay, you've got this. You've got, you know, you've done these roles, you've got this designation, blah, blah, blah. Now what. And which is where I was 40 when I actually started thinking. And that's when I decided to leave the corporate world and do what I do now.

Speaker B: So I. I got a question about that, Richard, do. And this is kind of not controversial, but do you think families today are less close than they used to be? Just since it seems like it, right? Like, just from, you know, news and I hanging, uh, out with my friend's kids or something, my cousin's kids. It's like the iPad in the way, you know, it is.

Speaker C: It is changing. It is changing. I love Cree. It's changing. And I think that's where, um. Because what's happened is that look, and I'll talk about people like, let's say my age, who've done well, who've, you know, who had a great career, blah, blah, we provided for our kids, we've given them best of education. Um, so their dynamics are going to be very different from ours.

Speaker B: Right?

Speaker C: Um, plus, also. So, um, so. So what's happening is that with capital capitalism comes its own thing. You get access to everything, but they also, you know, that access comes at a cost. Right? So it's the same thing, right? Like, you earn more, but you spend more. Uh, the mindset of saving goes away a little bit. Um, you know, so just to draw parallels, like in our time, credit cards became a thing. Uh, right. Like you could buy everything on credit card, but before that, for my parents, only if you had money, you go and buy that thing, you would never buy it on credit.

Speaker B: Right, right, right.

Speaker C: So. So that was a big shift. Um, but now, um, you know, kids have cards or whatever. Kids don't even need cards. Their parents are buying them everything even before they need it. So we are the generation to be blamed because we have access now. So we're like, oh, you know, give it to our kids. Give it to our kids. What probably we didn't get enough of, right? Like that. So it's that mindset. But you're right about the family thing. I think the fabric is changing. There's more nuclear families, uh, what I call, like, people are just becoming smaller and smaller in their world. And I think as parents and again, people of my age group, we are making much more effort or we have to make much more effort to keep those families intact or to keep Those family values thing. Right. Um, because right now there is a little bit of a dichotomy happening. Yeah. Because, you know, what's happening is, um. And this is not my analogy, somebody actually told me this in some shape or form, but I'll. I'll, you know, phrase it in my own words. It's basically, we want to make our kids or this next generation, like, global citizens. Okay. So, like, now everything is. Because technology has made the world so small. You could go anywhere, you could do anything, all of that. Right. But if you don't give them enough roots. So the person used the analogy of tree. Right. So the tree, in order for the tree to really thrive, you, of course, want to give it branches. So you let. Let your kids explore, go wherever they want and all of that, but you also have to give them roots so that the tree is strong. Right. Like, when there's other influences, they are kind of standing strong, uh, because they have solid roots. So roots and branches both are important.

Speaker B: Yeah, the roots part, um, I guess, like, you know, for you, you're raising a family and all in a Singapore, which is, I guess, not necessarily India. Right. So it's like, do you feel like you lose a little bit of those roots since maybe it's, um, different culture, you know, or, you know, maybe like the times of the modern times. It just seems like there's no glamorization of having a family or being a family, man, woman. It seems like there's always this. What I'm doing for myself or how, um, what do you call that? Um, I don't know. There's just. It's not celebrated, Right. Because families, I think you go to Disneyland or something, it's a happiest place, and you see family. Right. Or like, maybe you're with your family and you're like, you know, this is the real meaning of the holidays. Not the gifts or not the things I'm buying or all that. So it's like, um. Yeah, how do you. How do you think people can get back to, like, the family roots and all that? So.

Speaker C: So, for example, for us as a family, um, you know, since my kids are brought up here, we make it a conscious effort to keep going back to India. Right. Like, they. We make sure they meet their grandparents, they are in touch with their cousins. Um, you know, we do.

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker C: So. So. And they love it. So it's not like. Right. They love the Indian food. Um, you know, and we are lucky because Singapore also got a great Indian diaspora. So it's not like they are alien to the Indian culture. Um, they meet a lot of Indians. Um, but for. From our side, yes, there's efforts of them going to India, and, you know, we taking them to India every year, uh, and then family traveling. So, you know, their grandparents travel here, uh, you know, once, once a year or once in two years or whatever. So they. They are in constant touch. Um, and they know what's happening. So I think there's a lot of onus on us to make sure we continue to inculcate that, because it's very easy to give up. But at least early, uh, on if we do it, they'll. They'll continue till whatever. Who knows how they will be. Right. My kids are teenagers now, but so far we've kind of given them this thing. And. And I can see how they, you know, they still are attached to their grandparents and to their cousins and all, um, ten years from now, I don't know. But at least till I have an influence on them, you know, I. I could. I could do my best.

Speaker B: That's amazing. Yeah. And plus, you get the author authority, so that helps.

Speaker C: You know, that's, um, an interesting question for you.

Speaker B: Like, when you're at a business meeting, like, how. How would you say, like, you introduce yourself in context of, like, what you do for work, Right? Do you. Do you say that I wrote a book, or do you say, like, I'm a coach of some sort? Or, you know, how does that come up?

Speaker C: So it's evolved. It's evolved over a period of time. Um, you know, I used to, uh, I used to say different things at different point in time. Now I just say I run, um, a leadership consulting firm. Um, I work with leaders. I support them through their leadership journey, whether it's the major transitions they're doing or they are setting up big teams or they are trying to get their teams to be more effective. Um, and one of our signature programs is women, uh, leaders program. So. So I kind of say. And, uh, and I say that I'm also an author and I run a podcast. So basically I kind of, you know, uh, think. But I start with a leadership consulting firm, and then people say, oh, interesting. What do you guys do? And then I go on to the second layer. And then, yeah, uh, oh, okay.

Speaker B: Yeah. Sometimes it's hard to talk about yourself. It's like, book was a year ago. It's like, should I move on from that and tell them I'm looking for a new job or something? Or how does that work?

Speaker C: No, but I think if you're Once an author, always an author. I think sometimes we as authors, also under, um, like, for me, I'll say. And I'm sure probably for you, right. Like, now that we've written a book, we feel, oh, yeah, we've written a book. But talk to people who, who are just in their dreams thinking of a book for them. It's such a big deal. In fact, a friend who's constantly nudging me. Don't underplay it. Like, you've written books. That's a big deal. Like, people just don't do even one in their lifetime. Right. Like, so. So, yeah, I think my thing to you would be. Also don't think it's a year old or whatever. Like, the book is evergreen.

Speaker B: You're right. You're right. For you. Okay. I guess just to. To go off, uh, to. To get back into that, like, um. Do you feel like you're. It comes natural to you to talk about, like. Because I think for me, like, the book thing, I don't know, it always feels like I'm bragging or something. Or like, sometimes when I say it, it's like I feel like, oh, maybe the other people in the room, they're. They're gonna feel inadequate because I'm such a cool person. You never thought of that?

Speaker C: No. I also think it could be inspiring, uh, instead of other people. And I always say, like, my first book, I went from writing emails to writing a book. Like, nothing in between. Right. Like, I was a business, um, you know, a corporate person who just wrote emails. That's it. Right. Like, I had never. So I didn't come with, like. Like, you. You studied English, um, in your, uh, you know, in your, um, college. But I didn't. I mean, I'd studied commerce and accounting and, you know, like, things like that. Right. Like, so. So I think it's. I give it a spin off. If I can write, you can write too. It's not that difficult. It's more inspiring rather than bragging.

Speaker B: Uh, yeah, good question, Richard. Just I guess to follow up onto, like, the books and all that. Um, do you think the books, like, elevated your career in a sense, just since. Yeah, like, you know, going to an airport and seeing that or having, you know, your signature and taking pictures of folks, um, that's something to you internally. Um, how do you think that's, like, change. I want to change your life or business, but yeah, how do you think, uh, the books have, um, impacted your future career, things like that?

Speaker C: I think it lends a lot of credibility, uh, so that's what it's done. Uh, if I walk into a meeting and if they've already read that I'm an author, or if I give them a copy of my books, suddenly they see these two books published by Penguin, Um, there is an instant credibility that whatever I'm talking about, so I have less proving to do, let's put it that way. Like, that's what happens.

Speaker B: I get you. Yeah, I think I agree with you too. It's just sometimes I don't feel like an author because it's like, I don't know, it's just, you know, like there's that honeymoon phase where you wrote the book and things, and now it's like, uh, what do we do?

Speaker C: Yeah, no, I. I am. I would say I'm. I'm also a little bit like you in terms of, you know, sometimes I think, oh, have I maxed the book, Both my books to its use. Maybe not. And that's why you keep going back to it. You pick, you know, because also it's a journey, right? Like, after you finish the book, there's so much of you has gone into it. Uh, so I think after like, few months or something, when you've created enough space, then you can go into it, look at a chapter and say, okay, can I take this chapter and do something with it? Can I write about it in a different way? Or can I make an article out of it? So there are multiple ways. You keep kind of, um, distributing your message, so to say.

Speaker B: Yeah, that's a good point. That's a good point. Um, yeah, Reese, very good conversation. I guess a couple last questions to you. Um, are, uh, what are. What are your future goals when it comes to your career? Right. Just since, you know, coaching people and seeing their, ah, growth is definitely a good thing. But I guess maybe as an entrepreneur, sometimes, um, people get not. Not lost, but like, they're. You know, the book is such a high for me. Like, what do you. Do you think, like, you have to top this or like, you know, what. What goes through your, uh, mind when you and the future, you know?

Speaker C: Yeah, no, I think, look, the book, like, as you said book, like, it takes. It's. It kind of puts you there, but then you also know you can't stay there. Right. With the book. And then some you will. There's another book coming out tomorrow with somebody else, written by somebody else. Right. So that's how it. But, um. But. But a few things I. The way I think about it. Okay. Once the book is done, like I said, create some space from the book. Uh, say, okay, I've written it. It's out now, whatever. Uh, then go back to the book. I think there's sometimes so much we write, we forget. Uh, and there's so much to be worked on from there. Uh, right. Um, whether it's spreading your message, whether it's kind of creating more materials out of that book, um, of whatever you've written. Because also remember that when you wrote the book, a lot of chapters, you had to, um, edit it. You had to fit in. So there's a lot of other stuff we create in the process of writing, which is not in the book, but which is your thinking or which are your ideas. And we very often don't look at that. We forget about that.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Uh, it's a lot of. So much.

Speaker C: Like, it's like brain dump. Right? Like, it's that. And, um, so that. That's one. Uh, for me, um, it's also about, you know, you think you've written the book, you've put your message out, but actually, the. More. Like, my book has been out a year and a half now, a little bit. Um, and I think about. There is so many people who still need to know that message or who still probably haven't read the book. So that message doesn't end with your book being published is the key.

Speaker B: That's. That's amazing words of, uh, wisdom. Yeah, I. I just was like, I'm so lucky to get a book out there. And now it's like, oh, yeah, just let's refresh the message. Or, you know, let's, uh, hang out with the people who want to hear that message. Um, that's. That's excellent, uh, you know, to hear from you. Um, I guess more. More easier questions. Right. Too. Um, so you've lived in Singapore for, like, 12 years, as you mentioned. Um, is that an adjustment for you? You know, like, originally, uh, you know, just.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker B: Different.

Speaker C: No, actually, I think Singapore is, like, the easiest place to settle into. It was, like, very cool. It's efficient. It works. It's very, very cosmopolitan. Uh, you meet people from all walks of life, all different countries. Like, for example, like my. Uh. So I'll give you two examples. So my kids go to school, and in their class, if they're a class of 22, there'll be at least 15 nationalities. Right. Like, it's. That's. That Cosmo. And like, any workshop I do or any program I run, I'll at least have people from seven countries, if not more like Yesterday I was on a call. We have four people, and we were all four from different places. One from Prague, one from Germany, um, one from Finland, and one. I was from M. India.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: Like four. Like, I mean, origin. Not I think, but yeah. So Singapore is like really easy to settle. Everything works like clockwork. Very efficient. Ah, very safe in terms of security. Uh, public transport is great. Uh, people are really nice, um, because it's. It's a country where, you know, they know that they get so many expats. Um, so they're very friendly. Food, uh, is awesome. And you can get food from like all parts of the region. You get anywhere you go. Um, so, yeah, of course, if you're not very fond of the humid weather, the weather can get you because the same weather throughout the year. Uh, but otherwise it's. It's very easy. And like I said, there's a big Indian diaspora. Um, so. And again, the other thing about Singapore is it celebrates a lot of different cultures. So you get holidays for many different things. You get holidays when it's Ramadan, you know, celebrating the Muslim festival. There's. You get. There's a national holiday for Diwali, which is like a big Indian festival. Uh, you of course get holiday for, uh, for Christmas or for Easter. So every religion kind of gets two day, two holidays in a year. Uh, you know, into this. It's very.

Speaker B: Airport, really nice airport is amazing.

Speaker C: Like, you can get in and out of Changi, like in like ten minutes. Um, it is, it's beautiful.

Speaker B: Did you ever watch a crazy rich Asian course?

Speaker C: Yeah, that's an exaggerated, but no, I'm sure look like, I think in like any society in the world, right. Any place, there'll always be that 0.1% extra. Like, you know, the people who are like really rich. And Singapore is a rich country. You can't deny that. Very, very rich, affluent. Uh, the number of. At some stage it said it had the highest. I'm trying to get my data correct. Highest per capita or per person. Like, the BMWs were like. So, like, uh, if you calculate how many depending on the population, like the amount of BMW per capita, I think, or per person, whatever. Like, you know, they did this mats and it was Singapore. And now you see all the fancy cars, like porsche. Like every 10th car is a Porsche. Um, you know, so there's a lot of money.

Speaker B: Yeah. How do you compare and contrast, uh, Singapore to like, I guess Indonesia or like, maybe, maybe like what else? Malaysia or Philippines or Vietnam?

Speaker C: Like, see, look, Singapore. Like, like I started saying It's a developed nation. Right. It's a first world country. Wales, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, they're all upcoming, they're developing nations. So they're all aspiring to be a Singapore, right? Like literally.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. No Ritu, that's such a good, good point. I mean just uh, the, the ways of looking thing at things from, from like the perspective like of uh, you know, a person who lives in Singapore or at least you know, in Asia is. So um, it's just nice to, to know like, just to hear that, that this is where somebody's coming from. And like that's uh, something that I think Asian, uh, Americans, they, they lose touch of or forget. Like the roots thing and such a cool thing that you uh, brought that up, um, last couple questions. Ritu, I know I said that earlier, but you ah, could ah, tell us like the um, if you could tell us your startup mindset in a few sentences like what would you say your startup mindset is?

Speaker C: Yeah, I think for me the biggest thing has been um, three things actually, which is not so much. So I'll still give you two of them actually. One is it's not so much of a startup mindset, but it's a mindset I've always had and I got that very early on in my career. Um, I, I started my career with Gillette, uh, you know, the shaving company. I used to be a fan. Financial analyst. Yeah, like very odd job for a woman to start with, a young person to start. But anyways, I was in the finance, I was a financial analyst. And one of the things that I read on the board there, which is like so many years back, which said, um, if you're so it said look for three things in anything you're doing. It said one, are you learning, are you contributing or are you enjoying? And if it's a no even on one of them, it's time for you to move to something else. And that kind of. Because I was also very young that time that kind of has stuck with me consciously or subconsciously, uh, is that anything that I do for a while, then I always say, okay, am I still learning, am I still contributing or am I still having fun? And um, of course it's not like immediately if something is a no, I change. But that kind of starts playing in my mind. Okay, I think I'm not contributing enough. So maybe I need to look for a role or to do something where I can contribute more. Right. Or okay, I'm doing great here, but my learning is stopped. Um, you know, maybe it's time to kind of think, or maybe I'm learning and contributing, but I'm not having fun. Like, I'm dragging my feet into this. Like, uh, you know, and so. So I kind of start thinking about it. I'm not saying I immediately take an action. Okay. So it's not like, oh, tomorrow I go and hand in my resignation. No, no, no. But I still start thinking about it. And that I have kept. Even when I started my. Doing my own thing, when I became an entrepreneur, let's say 10 years back. Yeah, it's 11th year now. Yeah. In 2015, I started my own thing. So. And I kept the same thing because when I started, there were certain things I was doing, um, initially, and then at some after two, three years, I was like, okay, am I still really enjoying it or am I really contributing it? Right. So then you shift. So in the last 12 years, business has been broadly. The definition is same, but I've kind of pivoted in different things. Uh, you know, again, going by the same. Applying these same three things.

Speaker B: Right.

Speaker C: The other thing in what's helped me so once I became an entrepreneur is that you've got to let go of what you were before. Uh, when I say let go, not necessarily your values and things, but let go of a certain thing. Because I came from working in a big corporate ge. General Electric was like the big company, big daddy of companies, and it had such great things. And, you know, there was. Yeah, I worked with GE Capital in the US and so, you know, so you have a little bit of that. You know, there's certain mindset they, they kind of teach you, and it's, it's, it's part of you. Uh, so I had to give up that because I'm like, okay, I'm no more a vice president with General Electric. I am now this entrepreneur trying to make my own name. Right. So you've got to let go of a lot of ways the way you did things. Uh, so that was the other thing that, that's, that I think is a startup mindset, is that forget what you were doing before or if you came from the corporate world at least. Um, because you have to be really humble. Right. Uh, and humility is a big thing as a, as a mindset when you're starting out. Um, so.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, I agree. You know, it's a. Ah. I wrote a book too. It's like I'm trying to figure out what I put in there. Yeah. The Mansell's hierarchy needs. I know you said it earlier. Yeah, uh, we. I think we included it. I'm pretty sure. Um. Uh, where in the US did you, like, work live or.

Speaker C: No, so first when I came. First time when I came, I was in Atlanta, um, because in Atlanta, um. Um. Uh, G. Consumer Finance had a big office in Atlanta, and that's where I worked first. Um, and then I also worked in the. In New York because, uh, through, uh, one of the project, I was conducted to, um, Pfizer, and I worked in the Pfizer headquarters, which is right next to Grand Central. Uh, 42nd. Yeah. So that's where I worked, um, for about two years. And, um, I lived across the river, so I lived at, uh. In Jersey City. Uh, yeah, I lived in New Jersey. It was just coming up. Grove Point was the new condo thing that had just come up that time, and that was a. That was a stop, too. So that's where I lived between Atlanta and, um, New York,

Speaker B: I guess. Rachel, last question, I promise. Um, how do you figure out you lived in Ireland, too? Um, I guess. How did you figure out where to work and live? Sometimes maybe people are thinking of living somewhere else and experiencing. You get to experience so much different things when you're outside or there for work or. Or life and. And all that. Um, did you, uh, intend to go to the U.S. you know what I mean? Like, did you intend to go to Ireland, or was it struggle.

Speaker C: For me, when I went to the U.S. it was a great opportunity because G Capital had got recruited in India, and then, you know, they were looking for, uh. You know, there was a role. Um, you know, would you want to apply? And I applied, and I got it right. So it was. It wasn't. I was seeking, um, seeking us. Like, it. It happened. Uh, and then similarly with. With, um, Ireland, I lived in Dublin for a bit. Um, it happened. It was an official, like, I mean, it was, um, an assignment. And, um, I thought, oh, it'll be interesting. Uh, you know, I had been there a couple of times. I'm like, okay, I'll take that up. So I always put my hand up, and I was like, yeah, I'll explore. And, uh, yeah, they got to give

Speaker B: you, like, a special visa or something, right? Or, like, especially, like, work.

Speaker C: When I went to the U.S. i was in a different visa and then different visa, so all by the company, so.

Speaker B: Wow, that's. That's a big. Were you nervous at all just to leave, uh, Asia or India? Like, that's, like, something. Yeah.

Speaker C: So my first flight, of course my first international flight was with my two suitcases to the U.S.

Speaker B: wow. Wow.

Speaker C: Yeah, it was. And I was young. I was in my early 20s. Right. So, um, yeah, it is quite nerve wracking. Um, but then, you know, I, I think there's something, uh, you have this confidence, um, of the youth or whatever you call it. Right. Like, I was like, I'll figure out. And, uh, you know, and within a month or so I was driving. And, uh, yeah, it is pretty cool.

Speaker B: That's amazing. Yeah. I remember my first, like, I know I took a flight to Canada, but that doesn't count as international. Like last year I went to Manila and my parents are from Cebu. Like, but we never, I had never flown alone to Manila. And on the plane there, I'm just thinking to myself, wow, uh, this is far away. What am I getting myself into? But, um, yeah, you know, the traveling bug is. Or the. It's something you should do and you have a chance.

Speaker C: Yeah, exactly, exactly. We try and we try and do that with our kids now because Singapore is like, tiny. Right? Like, it's an island. So like holidays or whenever there's a break, like, okay, let's just travel. So that's one of the things my husband and me are quite conscious about, is that we want to give them this, um, like, it's not even a gift. We want to give them this whole thing of exploring the world. Like, you know, when you go out to a different place, like, you look at different people, different culture, uh, you know, different scenery. So we've kind of. I think my daughter has a little bit more than my son. But yeah, so we, we want to kind of give them that. That they, you know, explore the world. There is, it's very different. There's so many different things and stuff like that.

Speaker B: Would, Would you say you've been to like over 30 countries or something like that?

Speaker C: Um, if I sit and count, could be at least 20. For sure. Could, uh, be 25, 30. Could be. I mean, I. Yeah. And because also work took me, uh, in my corporate life and even then, even when I am doing my own work, even this work takes. Takes me to a few countries, uh, every year. So. Yeah.

Speaker B: Nice. Yeah. Well, Ritza, it's been such a fruitful conversation. I can't say enough about things. I learned, uh, you know, working people interact with you. I know you have a podcast too, which, um, is really good too. Uh, yeah, just how do people connect with you if they need a coach. Right. Or want to read a book or something like that?

Speaker C: Sure, sure. So the only two places where I'm active. One, my podcast is on YouTube. It's called Rewrite the Rules. Um, it's also on Spotify, on Apple. Um, and then the other social media, if they want to connect with me is LinkedIn. Um, I'm quite active on LinkedIn. Um, so you can look up Ritu G. Maharish and it'll show up. I think I'm the only Ritu Maharish, so that'll show up.

Speaker B: Thank you, Ritu. Yeah. And hope, uh, to meet you one day, you know.

Speaker C: Yeah, make a trip. It's a long trip, but make a trip. And of course, if you're ever in Singapore, do let me know. It'll be awesome.

Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. I gotta try that one restaurant, I can't pronounce it. It's called Beyond Something. It's like a chicken place, but yeah, okay.

Speaker A: Hey,

Speaker B: M. Mhm.

Speaker A: Sat. They only know what I want them to know. Uh, yeah. Kinetic energy is begging me to reach my potential. Life sure does look different when you're on another level. My devotion to hip hop is what keeps my soul going. Allow me to take you on a journey. Send you back to a moment where the energy was raw and born out of struggle. Innovation always kept us out of trouble. Busting that new move, spitting that fresh rhythm. It felt like life kept giving us unlimited.