I learned with my own personal experience, that we only know better our own culture, education, bias, and our own self, when we have lived at least few years in a different country and different culture (especially amongst locals). These (many years living in different countries and cultures) have expanded my horizon and my own identity, both professionally and especially personally. There is an emotional cost of "expatriating" oneself, but it is also truly a gift. There are many things that we cannot fully comprehend with only short visit, books or else, they have to be experienced over and over.

Beyond talent, I have realized that we need so much more to have a very successful career. Realizing a dream can take longer and include setbacks. From my personal experience, I have noticed that being open, resilient, flexible, and having an attitude to serve helps immensely. While aspiring to grow, we need to prepare well with concrete homework. Having the right attitude and a prompt, service mindset is crucial. One has to keep learning (and unlearning) and be prepared for the next big thing. As an example, while you are working on 5G, start preparing yourself for 6G. On the softer side, empathy and humility should be key attributes to be practiced. Managing emotions and being mindful play a huge role. Transparent communication and openness towards the multi-cultural and virtual environment are very important. Staying motivated and being a change management leader is critical. Find time to build your personal brand and network. Look for a suitable mentor who can make your journey smoother. Finally, never compromise on your Integrity, continue to build relationships, and grow trust.

Our lives are dynamic and we keep on learning something new each day which helps us explore what is out there but also what is in us that we have not necessarily realized otherwise. Keeping an open & growth-oriented mindset helps you overcome your fears and extend your accomplishments. Integrity, respect, trustworthiness, and accountability should be foundational and not be compromised. In my career, every time I stepped into unknown territory, I first tried to educate myself as much as possible, and when I struggled I also internalized it as part of the journey.