Mental Models for Career Transitions: HBS Alumna Abhilasha Sinha

Thinking of your career in phases

In this podcast episode, HBS alumna Abhilasha Sinha, shares reflections from her first career break as a much-needed sabbatical to wonder and wander. In this career transition, she is trying to figure out what matters most and why. This isn’t an essay question for B-school but real life so you can lean in and learn how figuring out one’s Ikigai is a lifelong pursuit.

Seeking Ikigai

She reflects on her career, noting that despite achieving significant growth and profitability milestones, she still sought her "ikigai"—the intersection of what she loves, what she's good at, and what the world needs.

- "I still hadn't found my ikigai... something which I was super passionate about."

- "I fundamentally like working with companies at an inflection point."

- "The nature of projects involves high doses of EQ, IQ, and they have to happen in sprints."

The First Sabbatical

During her first sabbatical, she has been exploring various interests, including working as a coach and consultant for high-growth companies, focusing on organizations at inflection points. Abhilasha emphasizes the importance of balancing professional and personal growth, highlighting her structured approach to both work and leisure activities.

- "I am finally taking my first break in my career... I'm on a sabbatical, which is super interesting."

- "Initially, I had promised family that I would be doing zero work, but that's not been the case."

- "I bring the same rigor and ambition to just fun stuff”

The Future of Work

She discusses the future of work, predicting a shift towards outcome-based sprints and diverse work interests, moving away from traditional full-time employment.

"I really think the future of work is going to be very different... a lot more outcome-based sprints."

- "I work as a coach for a couple of CXOs in high-growth entrepreneurial setups."

- "I often also take on a consulting project... building out their financial system, people processes, or sales funnel.

Scaling Your Voice

Abhilasha also talks about her evolving relationship with writing, driven by a desire to provide valuable, authentic content in contrast to the clickbait she often encountered.

- "I found people whose writing I enjoyed and thought if I actually used my voice, it might engage a certain audience."

- "The more your presence on the platform increases, the more trolls you encounter."

Should You Work With Friends

On the topic of working with friends, she acknowledges both the benefits and challenges, stressing the need for clear boundaries and roles.

- "It can be the best of things and it can be the worst of things."

- "When you're working together, work together as colleagues, and when socializing, return to those personal roles."

Fear and Growth

Finally, she offers advice on embracing fear as a catalyst for growth, advocating for pursuing opportunities that, while uncomfortable, promise significant personal development.

- "Whatever scares you the most is probably going to drive the most growth... this wasn't the bad kind of fear; it was the good kind."