Nischala Murthy Kaushik, CMO and Global Leader for Diversity and Inclusion, HFS
I am Nischala, and I love my name. Nischala is a Sanskrit word from the "Bhagvad Gita" which is one of the most famous Hindu scriptures based on the Mahabharata, which means 'steady mind'. My father gave it based on the meaning of relevance and significance to his life.
I was particularly fond of my name during my childhood. I was almost always the only Nischala in the room :). So, I stood out, and that was my first real experience of what "being unique" can do for you! Even today, I believe I am "one-of-a-kind". And so are you!
From childhood, I have always enjoyed learning and doing new things. So, I have tried my hand at a range of pursuits, including sports, drama, literature, creative arts and philanthropy. However, education always took centre stage.
Being gifted in math and science, I did my engineering degree and followed it up with a management education at IIM, one of the best B-schools in India. Management education has been defining as it exposed me to India's best and brightest minds and opened my mind to new possibilities and interesting pathways to career and life.
The penchant for 'new and diverse experiences' has fuelled my career, taking me across the world to places like the US, Europe, and India. During this tenure, I have worked in areas like strategy consulting, technology solution development, business innovation and marketing. Exposure to diverse cultures and world-views, global companies, work environments and ways of working have shaped my career.
I have been fortunate to experience the great, the good, the bad and the ugly (law of averages at play!), which gave me a holistic understanding of how organisations work and the ways of the industry. They also influenced my personal leadership style – in terms of leadership behaviours that I emulate and those that I would never do as a leader. Over time, I recognised the power of communities, and I have created and nurtured many focused on specific causes/objectives.
Currently, I am the CMO and Global Leader for Diversity and Inclusion at HFS Research. Beyond work, I have a wide range of interests, knowledge and experiences around sports, arts, jewellery, design, books, travel, food, wellness; hence call myself a 'polymath'. I believe in the power of words and that words can create and catalyse positive change.
As a way to #PayItForward - I actively write, speak and mentor on causes that deeply resonate with me, the importance of education, leadership, diversity, skills for the future and power of ideas.
So what next? There are three states of existence - Consumer. Critic. Creator. The most powerful is when you can be part of the creation - of solutions, jobs, processes, confidence, smiles, dreams, hopes, life. In times to come, I aspire to explore my journey as a creator.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn. This is where it all comes together for me. It is great for learning from others, sharing your thought leadership, connecting with people across the globe, crafting your own personal brand and creating something that outlives you!
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
As the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) at HFS Research, I oversee the global marketing function with responsibility for marketing strategy, brand, content, operations, corporate communications, social media and events. It has been an enriching, exciting and energising experience to work virtually in a global, cross-cultural and multi-generational team. I also champion the charter of diversity and inclusion (D&I), a theme that is core to HFS's values.
In March 2021, on the occasion of International Women's Day, we launched a podcast called "Story-pod with Nischala: The Shero Diaries". As part of this podcast, I speak with influential and powerful women leaders from across the world. In each episode, we profile a corporate hero, and you will hear about her personal life and career journey, choices and decisions which influenced her and reflections from these experiences. As of date, we have C-suite / very senior leaders from companies like HP Inc, Genpact, EXL, KPMG, Capgemini, Accentuere
Through this podcast, we aim to inspire women worldwide, share insights from stories of women leaders and drive impact by seeding thoughts of change.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
The best part about my work is the opportunity and ability to create an impact on business and brand. This is possible by using the left and right sides of my brain, as all the things I do on a daily basis need a balance and blend of logic and creativity. There is indeed math, science and art to strategy, marketing and storytelling.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Define balance, happiness and success on your terms and live to experience it!
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
The top seven things which keep me going.
My wishlist of "things to do before I die" is an ever-growing and evolving list of dreams I really wish to come true in this lifetime.
The penchant to have new and diverse life experiences.
Building and leaving a personal legacy that I am proud of.
Live to be a hot and cool grandmother ;) be active, energetic and have a zest for life despite age.
Using my ideas, experiences and voice to make a positive difference.
Curiosity to learn.
The process of creation.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Three things that I am proud of.
My writing journey - I am exceptionally proud of my writing journey as it all happened organically every step of the way. It was a pathway that I carved out based on my experiences, experimentation and learnings along the way. And for getting me started, I am grateful to my daughter. While I was giving birth to her, she brought the light of writer inside me. Everything happened with passion, perseverance and a larger sense of purpose.
My tryst with balance - A few years back, I realised the need and importance of balance in life. It started with defining what balance means to me. Next, I strive and maintain balance in aspects that are important to me across key dimensions. All this irrespective of all the drama of life!
Resilience - Looking back, my resilience to deal with some really difficult times in life makes me feel proud. While I was completely unprepared for what came on my way, the ability to think on my feet, act based on what was right and walk till the end of the line to do what I needed to do, no matter how difficult, made the difference.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Depend on the context, time, priority and everything else going on in my life.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
My superpowers have been instrumental in shaping my life.
Simplifying complexity.
Creating structures.
Strategic thinking.
Creative problem-solving.
Decision making with data, insight and instinct.
Ability to let go of what is not working for me.
Continuous focus on striving for balance in life; across parameters that matter to me.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Three things.
In the journey of life, everything averages out. The good, bad and ugly - we all live to experience these in some measure. So, nothing really lasts forever. This will pass.
Timing is pivotal in life. Everything happens for a reason at a particular time. We can only connect the dots looking backwards.
If you dream it and want it with all your heart and believe you are worth it, it will come to you!
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Beyond work, I have a wide range of interests, knowledge and experiences around sports, arts, jewellery, design, books, travel, food and home-cooking, wellness; hence call myself a 'polymath'. The Top three passion projects that are active for me now are.
Writing - I have been doing this for more than ten years now, in addition to my full-time corporate job! I believe in the power of words, and that writing is a canvas for my words. Words which stem from thoughts, observations, analysis, learning's, conversations, views, emotions, perspectives, achievements, mistakes, failures, lessons learnt, comprehensions, experiences and conclusions. I believe that words can sow new ideas and fresh perspectives, catalyse positive actions and enable meaningful, sustainable change.
Health and wellness - I am looking at creating daily habits that will help manage my energy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the short term and for the long term.
Art - I am looking at reviving my love for art through colours, contrasts, composition and creativity.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Walking down memory lane over the last 18 months, I can say that the pandemic has had a net positive effect on my life. Everything that happened in terms of the magnitude of changes to everyday life, work, and everything in between. The pandemic compelled me to press pause and think really hard about what is important in life.
Health and wellness including physical, mental, emotional, relationship and financial health took a new meaning. So, I made some purposeful and positive strides in these dimensions.
In terms of relationships, the ones were important to me. I made sure I gave them time, and I was more conscious of demonstrating through actions that they were important. Especially with family - kids, spouse, mom, sister and an inner circle of friends. And then I let go of some that were not serving me well.
I also realised the importance of practising gratitude. So, I did a 'Gratitude Ritual' in which I sent a Thank you note to ~100 people who I believe played a key role in where I stand today. It was truly a satisfying experience.
After many years, I gave priority to my physical health. I focused on developing everyday habits which would serve me well in terms of long term wellness. I embraced yoga, meditation and got my sleep routine in place.
In terms of career, I took up a new job with a dream role as CMO. That has been a truly exciting and enriching professional move, and I am enjoying what I do.
Lastly, I committed to picking up one passion project on something dear to me amid all this. So, I have dabbled in content creation, podcasting, speaking, writing, art and learning new things.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, I have had many mentors and mentored many professionals in my career journey.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
My life advice to anyone.
Dream big - It almost always starts with a dream.
Build everyday habits that will help you achieve your dreams, and they matter the most.
Learn to manage yourself - your breath, thoughts, emotions, reactions, responses, actions.
Believe in yourself - If you don't, how can others, and why should they?
Nothing lasts forever. So, just be patient. Whatever is happening to you right now - good or bad shall pass!
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of clarity on what needs to be done and lack of self-discipline.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"The ABCDE of life which matter are aspiration, beliefs, confidence, dreams and expectations." - Nischala Murthy Kaushik.
"If you can learn how to manage your time and energy, the sky is the limit to what you can achieve." - Nischala Murthy Kaushik.
"Five Things which matter and make all the difference in life - trust, respect, love, care and demonstrating trust, respect, love and care in thought, word and deed." - Nischala Murthy Kaushik.
"When you think about the future, you should have dreams for yourself, for your family, for your country and your community." - Nischala Murthy Kaushik.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Life lessons for me, and thought starters for you!
One of the most important things to learn is how to breathe; that can change your life.
The most precious asset we all have is time. Value it, respect it, treasure it.
Consciously working on good everyday habits is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Trust your instincts.
One of the definitive ways to nurture and strengthen any relationship is to focus on good things, write them and say them out loud.
Words can make you or break you and those around you! Think before you speak or write.
Drawing boundaries is a science and art. Draw them thoughtfully and sensibly.
Learn to say "no". Say it when you mean it. And let your actions align with your words.
Balance is a beauty and a beast. Life is an eternal quest for balance.