Hello, Business Leaders of Tomorrow! Welcome to our blog, where we delve into the stories that shape not just our careers, but our lives. I’m Amit Chawla, Business Clarity Coach, and today I want to share a deeply personal narrative—one that intertwines creativity, courage, and clarity.
The Performance That Sparked Reflection
It was September 16th, 2023, at the Happy High Studio in Shahpur Jat, Delhi. The air was thick with emotion as the final applause echoed through the room. The performance, titled Besharam Ka Paudha, had just concluded, leaving the audience in awe. This solo piece, presented by Rajesh Nirmal, explored the gritty realities of navigating caste-based society in India.
As the applause died down, Rajesh began thanking his team, and then, with a beaming smile, he called out “Drishti.” My daughter, Drishti, emerged from backstage. Sitting in the audience, my wife, Deepika, and I clapped with pride. Watching her in that moment, memories from years ago came rushing back.
A Daughter’s Dilemma
It was around 2015 when Drishti, then a teenager, came home from her IIT preparatory classes in tears. We were alarmed and immediately asked her what was wrong. With tears streaming down her face, she confessed, “I don’t understand why we have to solve those math problems in 3 hours. What’s the rush? And why are we even solving these problems?”
Drishti had always been proficient in Maths and Science. Naturally, we had envisioned her pursuing a career in engineering, just like her elder brother. But that day, her words shook us. It was clear that while she excelled in these subjects, she did not want to follow the expected path.
What struck me most was her clarity about what she did not want. She didn’t want to be an engineer. We respected her decision and let her drop out of the preparatory classes, though the uncertainty of her future loomed large.
The Search for Clarity
By 2017, Drishti’s journey became a journey for all of us. She knew what she didn’t want but was unclear about what she did want. The college admission process added another layer of complexity, as it seemed everyone expected her to know exactly what degree she wanted to pursue. But she was still undecided.
In our quest for guidance, we found ourselves on a call with a professor from Ashoka University. We explained Drishti’s dilemma, hoping for some direction. To our surprise, the professor responded, “We welcome students who are uncertain about their desired stream. We allow them to explore before deciding.”
This was a revelation for us. Drishti had specific needs—she loved both physics and dance. After exploring several Liberal Arts colleges in India, Ashoka stood out as the only institution offering both Physics and Performing Arts at the time. Drishti applied, got in, and began her unique academic journey.
The Rollercoaster of Discovery
Drishti’s college years were a rollercoaster. Initially, she chose Physics but quickly realized it wasn’t her passion. We were momentarily disheartened, as we had selected the college primarily for its Physics program. But she kept exploring. In the following semesters, she dabbled in Psychology while continuing with Performing Arts, but again, she realized it wasn’t the right fit.
By her second year, Drishti settled on Maths. This choice surprised us—combining Maths with Performing Arts seemed like an unusual blend. However, she thrived in this environment. She also participated in a theatre production titled Dastaan-e-Parkhee, and during the pandemic, worked on an online play called Allegedly, which addressed heavy topics like sexual violence and consent.
Through these experiences, it became clear that Drishti was drawn to performances that carried strong messages. Watching her growth from a confused teenager to a confident young woman made me reflect on my own journey toward clarity.
Like Daughter, Like Father
Earlier this year, I realized something profound. My daughter’s journey mirrored my own. While she was finding her way, I too was on a similar path of self-discovery.
It was January 2017, and I had just returned from a training session on coaching by Erickson Coaching International, now known as xMonks. During that 60-minute drive from Gurgaon to Faridabad, everything clicked into place. My seven-year journey toward clarity had reached a milestone. I knew then that I wanted to be a coach.
A Journey Toward Clarity
In 2011, I had reached the pinnacle of my corporate career as the country head of a fintech MNC. Externally, I was successful, but internally, I felt a void. Despite my achievements, I lacked clarity about my true purpose. I began exploring various paths—completing an Executive MBA, attending motivational conferences, mentoring young entrepreneurs—but nothing seemed to fit.
Just as Drishti was wayfinding her career path, I was searching for mine. It wasn’t until I engaged an Executive Coach in 2015 that I began to gain some clarity. The coaching process helped me recognize my strengths and weaknesses, both professionally and personally. Eventually, I realized that coaching others was what I truly wanted to do.
The Realization of Purpose
Returning from the class that day in January 2017, two things hit me hard:
First, when Gaurav, our coach, asked, “Who are you?” no one in the room, including myself, could answer it correctly. It struck me that at age 50, I still didn’t know who I was beyond my professional titles.
Second, I realized that coaching is about aiding others’ growth by asking the right questions and providing them space to find their own solutions. This resonated deeply with me. It became clear that coaching was not just a profession but a calling.
Clarity and Courage Go Hand in Hand
My journey, much like Drishti’s, was about finding clarity and then having the courage to follow through. We both navigated through confusion, exploring various paths, sometimes discarding them, sometimes sticking with them. With each step forward, we gained more courage to pursue the paths that truly resonated with us—paths that allowed us to contribute to the world meaningfully.
There’s a fundamental rule of clarity: “Confusion is not the opposite of clarity but the first step toward clarity.” Wayfinding is an essential part of the journey from confusion to clarity.
The Transformative Leader’s Path
Reflecting on Drishti’s journey and my own, I see a parallel with the journey of a transformative leader. Sadhguru defines clarity as seeing things as they are, free from projections and distortions, which enables effective navigation through life. He defines courage as the willingness to face fear and move from the known to the unknown with confidence.
To become a transformative leader, one must possess both clarity and courage. Steve Jobs, the creator of Apple, exemplified this. His career was a rollercoaster, yet his clarity of vision and courage to follow his convictions made him one of the most iconic leaders of our time.
Jobs knew the importance of hiring the right people and trusting them to carry forward his vision. He allowed his employees to follow their motivations, which led to groundbreaking innovations. His legacy is a testament to the power of clarity and courage in leadership.
Conclusion: The First Step Toward Clarity
As I reflect on my journey and Drishti’s, I realize that the path to clarity is not always straightforward. It involves trial and error, courage, and a willingness to explore the unknown. But it is this very process that leads to growth, both personally and professionally.
So, leaders of tomorrow, remember: Clarity is not a destination but a journey, and courage is the fuel that drives it forward. Embrace the confusion, for it is the first step toward clarity.
Join me in the next and final blog, where I will introduce you to some incredible change-makers who have left an indelible mark on my journey. Stay tuned.
Amit Chawla (Business Clarity Coach)
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