Some conversations do more than just reflect your culture—they reveal the heartbeat of it.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with two rising stars from our People & Culture team—Kritika Sharma and Himanshu Jaiswal—on the latest episode of our Culture & Career Corner podcast.
What started as a conversation about their IT By Design journey quickly turned into something deeper—a real, raw, and inspiring look at personal transformation, people-first culture, and the life lessons that shape us as professionals and as humans.
From Talent Hunters to Culture Builders
When Kritika shared that she had been with IT By Design for 2.5 years (and yes—she remembered the exact number of days!), what struck me was her clarity. She started as a Talent Acquisition Partner back in November 2022 and recently stepped into a new role as a Senior HR Executive.
Her words? “It’s been a rollercoaster ride of learning.”
She spoke with passion about how every experience—every challenge—has added to her growth. That’s the kind of spirit we foster here: a growth mindset, supported by real opportunities and a community that believes in you before you even believe in yourself.
Then came Himanshu—who joined us in March of the previous year and hit the ground running with IT and Non-IT hiring. What impressed me most wasn’t just the work he does (which is stellar) but how he sees his role.
He talked about collaborating closely with leadership and being deeply involved in building high-performing teams. He knows recruitment isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about building culture. He said it best:
“It’s not about just getting the job done. It’s about growing together while delivering the experience.”
A Culture You Can Feel
When I asked them to describe our culture at IT By Design, I saw the same sparkle I feel every Friday during our Life by Design sessions.
Kritika was clear and concise:
“People-centric. Collaborative. Growth-oriented.”
She talked about our focus on continuous learning, open communication, and how our TCW (The Collaborative Way) training brings our values to life every single day.
Himanshu added his perspective on what it means to work here:
“It’s a truly people-first culture. Everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work.”
And that’s what we aim for at ITBD—not just building teams, but building a safe, supportive community where people don’t just survive—they thrive!
Life Lessons Worth Sharing
One of my favorite parts of the podcast was when I asked both of them to share their biggest life lessons. Because to be honest—technical skills are important, but life lessons? They are a long-term differentiator.
Kritika’s answers echoed the same spirit:
- Stay curious and keep learning – because growth never stops.
- Build meaningful relationships – because success isn’t a solo act.
- Be resilient – because how you respond to challenges defines your path.
Himanshu shared three truths that truly resonated:
- Don’t be afraid to fail – because every failure has a lesson wrapped inside.
- Build real relationships – personally and professionally.
- Keep showing up – because consistency wins long after talent starts to fade.
And let me tell you—these weren’t just words. You could feel the wisdom and learnings that only come with raw, unfiltered experience. They’ve lived it. They’ve learned it. And they’re now passing it on.
Be Resilient. Always Grow.
As we wrapped up, I shared something that’s become a personal mantra for me:
“If there’s only one takeaway from this conversation, let it be this: Be resilient and always have a growth-focused mindset.”
Because life will throw you curveballs. That’s a given. But if you’ve built that resilience muscle and committed to lifelong growth, you’ll always land on your feet—and move forward relentlessly with strength and grace.
To Kritika and Himanshu—thank you for showing up as your authentic selves. For living our values. And to remind us that the journey of growth is always better when we walk it together.
To all my dear readers:
Wherever you are in your journey, remember—your story matters. Keep learning. Keep building. And never stop growing.
