Prince R O

During my time as a Support Lead, an engineer from the development team worked with my team for a while before moving back to development. Although he later chose a different career path, one conversation before he left has stayed with me ever since. 

He thanked me for the support I had given him and shared that many of the issues which once felt difficult became much easier because we sat together and worked through them. We always tried to resolve problems the same day, and he said that guidance had made a real difference in his journey. 

That conversation changed the way I looked at leadership. I realized that a leader’s role is not just about delivering results, but also about helping people learn, build confidence, and overcome challenges. Knowing that I had made a positive difference in someone’s journey gave me a genuine sense of belonging. 

One of the most meaningful forms of appreciation I received was not through words, but through the trust my manager placed in me. While I was working as a Support Team Lead, he often said that he never had to worry about support because he knew everything would be taken care of. 

Even when issues escalated, they were usually resolved before they reached him. He rarely asked for updates or checked on the team's progress because he had complete confidence that things were under control. 

To me, that trust was the greatest appreciation I could receive. It motivated me to give my best every day and make sure I lived up to the confidence he had in me. Even today, I look back on it as one of the most meaningful recognitions in my journey. 

Early in my career, when a customer issue involved multiple components handled by different teams, each team would complete its part and pass it on. If an issue surfaced later, it often became unclear who should take ownership, and the work would move back and forth between teams, delaying the resolution and sometimes requiring managers to step in. 

As I gained more experience and moved into lead roles, I began to see things differently. I realized that from a customer's point of view, there are no team boundaries; it is one product and one company. That understanding completely changed the way I approach problems. 

Today, instead of focusing on whose responsibility an issue is, I focus on how it can be resolved. Even when something belongs to another team, I step in whenever I can, because delivering a better customer experience is more important than defining boundaries. 

Early in my career, I went through a challenging phase, and the guidance I received from my seniors, especially Kalaiselvi, had a lasting impact on me. Their patience, support, and willingness to teach helped me build confidence and grow. That experience continues to influence the way I guide and support the people in my own team today. 

I have also learned that influence does not always come through formal mentoring. Even in day-to-day work, I often observe how others approach a task or present their ideas. Seeing the same information explained in a clearer or more structured way encourages me to improve my own approach. 

Over time, I have realized that there is always something to learn from the people around us, and that mindset continues to shape the way I work and grow. 

One day, my teammates and I planned to go out for lunch, but since food delivery had just launched in Chennai with attractive offers, we decided to order instead. We expected the food to arrive during our lunch break, but the delivery was delayed and reached us only after the break had ended. 

When we walked into the office carrying several bags of food, it naturally caught everyone's attention, including a few managers. At first, it felt a little awkward, but the situation quickly turned light-hearted. A senior even invited a couple of managers to join us, and what began as an unexpected delay soon became a fun and memorable lunch. 

Looking back, it wasn't the delayed food that made the day special—it was the laughter, the conversations, and the time we spent together as a team. Even today, it is a memory that always brings a smile to my face.