Suresh Mohan

One philosophy I try to live by is that whatever I do should make both the eight-year-old me and the eighty-year-old me happy. In other words, my choices should be something my younger self would be proud of and my older self would look back on without regret. 

This simple thought helps me stay focused on what truly matters. It reminds me to make honest choices today while keeping the long-term impact of my actions in mind. 

When I first started my career, I believed that everyone should work the way I did. If I responded quickly to a message, I expected others to do the same. If I assigned a task, I assumed it was their responsibility to remember it and complete it without reminders. 

Over time, I realized that everyone works differently, and expecting the same approach from everyone was unrealistic. I also learned that ownership is not just about assigning work - it is about seeing it through to completion. Sometimes that means following up, offering reminders, and doing whatever is needed to help move things forward. 

This change in perspective helped me become more responsible, organized, and accountable. Today, I see ownership as taking responsibility for the outcome, not just the task itself. 

Two pieces of advice have stayed with me throughout my career. The first came from my mentor, Pravin Joshua. He taught me not to implement every feature simply because someone requests it. Instead, he encouraged me to think like a product owner and first ask whether the feature is truly needed and whether it adds value to the product.

That advice completely changed the way I make decisions. Today, I listen to every suggestion and feedback, but I take time to evaluate it carefully before deciding what to act on.

Another valuable lesson came from Michael Prabhu, who taught me the importance of complete ownership. He reminded me that my responsibility does not end after finishing my part of a task. It extends to following it through, coordinating with everyone involved, and ensuring the work is completed successfully.

 I am especially grateful for my friend George, whom I met during my journey at Syncfusion. What began as a professional association gradually grew into a close friendship that has remained one of the most meaningful relationships in my life. 

Over the years, we worked together on several projects, travelled together, and even lived in the same neighborhood for a period of time. We shared not only our work but also many moments of our personal lives, supporting each other through different phases along the way. 

I feel fortunate to have found a friend like George. His companionship, encouragement, and constant presence have made my journey both personally and professionally more fulfilling, and I will always be grateful for that. 

My advice to young professionals is to make the most of every opportunity to learn, especially early in your career. If you get the chance to work on real products and solve real problems from the beginning, embrace it with confidence. 

You will make mistakes, and that is completely normal. Every challenge and every setback teaches you something valuable if you are willing to learn from it. Those experiences help you grow faster than staying within your comfort zone. 

I was fortunate to have started my career in an environment that encouraged hands-on learning and trusted me with real responsibilities. It shaped the way I think, work, and continue to grow, and I encourage every young professional to make the most of such experiences. 

Outside of work, I enjoy staying active through sports and outdoor activities like badminton, shuttle, cycling, and swimming.  

I also enjoy spending time with friends, which is something I truly value. Over the years, I have built close friendships through school, college, and work, and I make it a point to stay connected with them. Whether it is catching up over a casual outing or simply spending time together, those moments help me recharge and bring a sense of balance to my life. 

Once, when I was in second or third standard, I had not completed my homework and did not want to face my tuition teacher. So, instead of going to class, I pretended to leave the house, waited outside for a few minutes, and then quietly came back. 

I confidently told my family that tuition had been cancelled because my teacher had gone out of town. Everything seemed to be going according to my plan until my tuition teacher called home and asked why I had not come to class. That was when the truth came out, and I ended up getting a good scolding from my parents. 

At the time, it certainly wasn't funny, but looking back, it has become one of the childhood memories that makes me smile the most. Today, I often share this story with my children, telling them about the mischievous things I did as a child and encouraging them to learn from my mistakes. 

It would be the time when we all worked together from the office every day. While work kept us busy, it was the simple moments outside of it that made those days special. 

Lunch breaks, tea breaks, and the casual conversations with colleagues are the memories I cherish the most. Those everyday interactions brought a sense of connection and made work more enjoyable. If I had the chance, I would gladly relive those simple moments of togetherness.