Some lessons don’t come from books or boardrooms: they come from listening to people who live your culture every single day.
Recently, I had the privilege of hearing two of our People & Culture leaders, Dipti Rajput and Gaitri Naroia, open up about their journeys at IT By Design. What struck me wasn’t just their career growth; it was how deeply they’ve internalized and shaped the very heartbeat of our culture.
Growth You Can Feel
Dipti described her journey at ITBD as transformative. For her, growth has meant far more than new titles or added responsibilities; it’s been about becoming bolder, more committed, and more purposeful in how she shows up every day.
Gaitri’s path was different but equally inspiring. She started in recruitment and eventually found herself leading teams during one of our most aggressive growth phases. She admitted it wasn’t easy. It was resilience, empathy, and grit that carried her through. That’s when I realized: real growth is rarely neat, but it’s always meaningful.
Culture You Carry Everywhere
When they spoke about ITBD’s culture, I didn’t hear buzzwords. I heard lived experiences.
Dipti described it as collaboration, integrity, and growth woven into everyday actions.
Gaitri went deeper, reminding us that our HAPPY values aren’t wall posters. They’re habits. Humility. Accountability. Passion. Perseverance. Your community. Values you practice until they become second nature.
And she’s right: culture here isn’t taught. It’s lived.
Lessons That Shape a Leader
The most powerful part of the conversation was their reflections on life lessons.
For Dipti, three stood out:
- Always play the long game.
- Be bold, not hesitant.
- Surround yourself with people who live with purpose.
For Gaitri, her insights were equally timeless:
- Own your journey as no one else can run it for you.
- Lead with empathy because people may forget what you said, but not how you made them feel.
- Find mentors, not just managers because mentors unlock possibility.
Different words, same thread: growth starts with mindset.
The Value That Defines You
When asked to name their favorite HAPPY value, Dipti instantly said: “Passion.” Her energy comes from people, from connecting, encouraging, and giving her best in every interaction.
For Gaitri, it was Accountability. She knows the responsibility she carries; placing the right people in the right roles, shaping teams, and protecting culture.
Two leaders. Two different values. But both anchoring our culture in action, not intention.
What Has Changed
When I asked about industry shifts, both highlighted the same truth: culture is now the differentiator.
Dipti sees it in the way people light up when they walk into ITBD. This is a workplace where managers lead with empathy, leadership listens, and people feel invested in.
Gaitri sees it in how we’ve chosen to put people at the center of everything, from Life By Design to career development to mental wellness. Here, it’s not just about what we get out of people; it’s about what we pour into them.
Their Final Words
Dipti left us with something that stuck: surround yourself with positive energy.
And Gaitri reminded us: don’t chase titles, chase growth. Speak up for your goals, invest in yourself, and live with purpose.
These are not merely pleasant-sounding words. They serve as a reminder of the most important things in life.
The ITBD Way
Listening to Dipti and Gaitri, I was reminded of a truth I carry everywhere: Culture is not what we say. It’s what we do.
It’s in how we support each other during challenges.
It’s in how we celebrate each other’s wins.
It’s in the accountability of leaders, the passion of team members, and the shared humility that grounds us.
That’s the ITBD difference. That’s the culture we choose to live, every day.
