Selva Ganapathy Kathiresan

In my journey, there have been moments when things didn’t go exactly as I expected. Whenever that happens, I see it more as a learning experience than a setback.

Success has never affected me too strongly, and because of that, failure doesn’t discourage me either. For me, every challenge is simply a step in the process. I keep trying, improving, and moving forward until I find the right solution. What matters most is not the number of attempts, but the willingness to keep going until the goal is achieved.

When I was young, people often told me that certain talents belong only to specific individuals. It was commonly believed that some people are naturally gifted or born with talents such as singing, dancing, drawing, or other skills, while others simply cannot develop those abilities.

Over time, I began to question this belief. Through my own experiences, I realized that it is not entirely true.

I came to understand that most abilities can be developed through genuine interest, consistent effort, and dedication. When we approach something with curiosity and a willingness to learn, we gradually build the skills needed to improve and perform well.

Over the years, my professional journey has shaped the way I think and make decisions. Early in my career, I focused mainly on how a decision would affect my work or my team. With experience, my perspective has evolved.

Today, I approach decisions with a broader mindset. Instead of thinking only about my work or team, I consider how each decision impacts the product, the company, and most importantly, the value it delivers to users.

This shift in perspective has been an important part of my professional growth. I now focus on ensuring that every decision I make helps create real value for the product and its users.

In my daily life, I find inspiration in many people around me. Every individual has unique qualities and observing them often inspires me in different ways.

On a personal level, one of my biggest inspirations is my mother. The quality I admire most in her is the way she treats everyone with kindness and respect. Being genuinely kind to people, regardless of the situation, is not easy, and it has influenced how I try to interact with others.

Professionally, I have been inspired by leaders, particularly Daniel, Davis, Stephen, Vijayanand and Rajasekar. What stood out to me was the way they evaluated the value behind every decision and every piece of work. Their focus was not just on completing tasks, but on understanding the value the work brings to the product and its users. This mindset continues to shape the way I approach my work today.

If someone hears my name and it brings a small smile to their face, that is more than enough for me. It tells me that, in some way, I have left a positive impression on their life, and I consider that the greatest form of recognition.

More than achievements or titles, I hope to be remembered for the relationships I built, the people I helped, and the kindness I showed along the way. If that is how people remember me, I will feel that I have left behind a meaningful legacy.

For me, the most important quality of a leader is the ability to take responsibility and show true ownership. When a leader takes genuine ownership, many other qualities follow naturally. It builds accountability, strengthens commitment, and earns the trust of the people they lead.

In many ways, responsibility forms the foundation of effective leadership. When that foundation is strong, other leadership qualities grow naturally from it.