Balancing courage and consideration. That’s what being a #PeopleFirst leader means to Kaushal Parikh, Principal, Head of HR at Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel.
Every month, I chat with a #PeopleFirst leader I admire and respect, putting them in the hot seat to learn more about their journey and the leadership lessons that shape them into the #PeopleFirst leaders they are today.
Who in the world 🌎 is Kaushal Parikh?
Jane: What was your first job growing up?
Kaushal: Going way back! After my Bachelor in Engineering in India, my first job was as a construction site engineer. I spent a few years supervising building construction. Surprisingly, that experience is what actually nudged me towards Human Resources.
Jane: That’s quite a shift! What was the ‘aha’ moment that steered you towards a career in HR?
Kaushal: Coming from India, there’s a lot of importance placed on education. I knew I wanted a MBA degree and there were a few options to specialize in. My experience being a sounding board during my college days, and on the construction site made me realize that I was good at gaining trust and working collaboratively with a wide spectrum of people, from labourers and skilled tradespeople to fellow engineers. That felt like my strength.
Then, I met my friend’s dad who worked in HR in the media industry. Hearing about what HR entailed made it crystal clear. That was the ‘aha’ moment – realizing this is what I’ve been doing, what I’m good at, and what I’d love to continue to do.
Jane: I heard you’re also an avid ultramarathoner. What got you into this demanding sport?
Kaushal: That was a life-changing decision, starting purely by accident! Back in school, I could barely run 100 meters. Around 2011-2012, cervical spondylosis paid me a visit resulting in excruciating pain, making it hard to even lift a finger. After rehab, I was advised to avoid contact sports and lifting heavy weights. I started walking more, but the competitor in me found it boring. “Can I at least try running?“, I asked my doctor. “Give it a shot” he replied. That was the moment. I started running and I’ve never looked back! Signed up for a 7k, then 10k, half marathon, full marathon… I just kept going. It became a journey to see what the body could endure.
Jane: That’s incredible. Is there a superhuman ability requried?
Kaushal: You know, Jane, we all have amazing abilities as humans. As Eliud Kipchoge says, “No human is limited.” It’s about pushing boundaries, getting out of the comfort zone. My personal mantra is: “The body achieves what the mind conceives.” More often than not, it’s the mind we need to convince. With a strong goal and focus, the universe conspires to make it happen.
“The body achieves what the mind conceives.”
Leadership Lessons through Kaushal’s Glasses 😎
Jane: What’s an unexpected leadership lesson you learned from your journey to becoming an ultramarathoner?
Kaushal: Life is full of lessons! Let’s see…
- Perseverance: This is one of the big ones. If you truly want something, stick to it. Remembering your ‘why’, your purpose, keeps you going.
- Chunking Goals: A 24-hour race seems daunting, so break it into smaller, manageable chunks each with their own mini-goals. It makes the impossible feel possible. Don’t forget to celebrate achieving these smaller targets. Small doses of happiness really do propel you forward.
- Adaptability: The road isn’t always straight. Weather changes in a race, just like client needs shift in business. Realize that not everything will go exactly as planned. Be ready to re-evaluate and rebalance goals, maybe even renegotiate timelines, but keep persevering towards the objective.
Jane: What’s one thing you wish you’d learned earlier as a leader?
Kaushal: The biggest lesson I wished I learned earlier is the power of delegation. As a leader, developing your team is crucial. My professional mantra is: “Can I make myself redundant in this role and how fast can I do that?” This isn’t from a place of insecurity, but confidence. If my team can step up, it gives me time to focus on higher-level strategic work. It empowers the entire ecosystem.
“Can I really make myself redundant in this role and how fast can I do that?”
Jane: Do you have any tactical tips for effective delegation?
Kaushal: Know your team members well – their strengths, aspirations, what drives them. This allows you to start building rapport and trust because you understand them as human beings. Then you match projects to leverage those strengths and passions.
People and Culture at Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel
Jane: In today’s environment of constant change and uncertainty, what keeps you up at night as an HR leader?
Kaushal: The last few years have seen massive change in HR. A critical thing I think about constantly is maintaining authenticity and alignment to our values as we grow, especially with hybrid work and across geographies. How do we ensure our values aren’t just on the wall, but lived daily? How can we retain that cultural fabric? Are leaders still walking the talk? Linked to this is keeping our employees engaged, maintaining personal connection, and ensuring mental wellness and psychological safety.
Jane: How are you tackling these challenges?
Kaushal: Open communication is number one. You cannot over-communicate, especially during change. It’s not just telling people after something’s done. It’s about bringing them along the journey. What change is planned? Why is it happening? How will it impact them, short and long term? What support will be available? If you handle this well, explaining the rationale and providing resources and support, you’ve won half the battle.
What does being a #PeopleFirst Leader mean to you?
Jane: So, pulling it all together, what does being a #PeopleFirst Leader mean to you?
Kaushal: It means leading with empathy, trust, and purpose, not just focusing on business results. Trust the professionals you’ve hired, believe in their abilities, and give them the support, environment, and encouragement they need to flourish.
Emotional intelligence is crucial here – understanding people, navigating conflict maturely, blending practical and human aspects. It’s about balancing courage and consideration, as Stephen Covey puts it. Having the courage to stand up for what’s right and the consideration to deliver even difficult messages respectfully.
#PeopleFirst is about standing your ground respectfully to achieve common goals together.
Thank you Kaushal for sharing your stories and experiences as a #PeopleFirst leader with us.