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Journey of Vivek

Vivek Bapat’s personal journey embodies the undeniable power of grit of an under-dog, coupled with gratitude for the countless people who have believed in him. By adopting a mindset of continuous learning, resourcefulness, and steadfast resilience in the face of adversity, Vivek believes that anyone can shatter conventional barriers. Vivek’s genuine life experiences and lessons learned from others in this journey enable him to effectively connect with and inspire with individuals from all backgrounds

Lessons Learned

1968

Education is the great equalizer

Vivek spent his formative years in a small rural village in India. In pursuit of a brighter future, his parents made a courageous choice to uproot their lives and settle in Pune, a city known as “Oxford of the East”. Their humble beginnings as a family, in a modest room carved beneath a staircase never hindered their devotion to teaching. It was through their unwavering dedication to this cause that Vivek witnessed first hand the power of education to equalize and transform lives regardless of socio-economic status.

1976

Optimism ignites the spirit

Like countless others in India, Vivek encountered a scarcity of basic resources at home – food, water, and electricity. However, he learned how people in the community who had even less than he did valiantly embrace every challenge with optimism and hope. Fortunate to receive education at Loyola High School, an institution founded by Jesuits from Austria, Germany, Italy and India – with a motto of “Men for Others’” , these learnings became catalysts of inclusion, empathy, resilience, and service oriented leadership.

1980

Make every moment count

At the tender age of 14, Vivek encountered a life-altering event when his mother fell gravely ill. He was sent to live with his uncle while she was hospitalized, and could only make sporadic visits. This trying period left an indelible mark on him, transforming a carefree adolescent into a compassionate young man who truly grasped the significance of cherishing every interaction and seizing each precious moment.

1985

Beware of false choices

After graduating from Loyola High School, Vivek secured a scholarship to pursue Mechanical Engineering at the prestigious College of Engineering in Pune. However, in his first year, a significant setback occurred when he failed a crucial class. Initially blaming his athletic commitments, he found solace and comfort in excuses. It was a close friend, excelling in both academics and sports, who through his personal example shattered his illusion of false choices, unveiling the truth that true excellence demands unwavering commitment and the abandonment of all excuses.

1987

Your network is your net-worth

Driven by valuable lessons learned, Vivek dedicated himself relentlessly and emerged as one of the university’s top 10 graduates. However, as a naturally reserved introvert, he encountered profound obstacles in social confidence, communication prowess, and business acuity. During a pivotal job interview at Thermax, a company he ardently aspired to join, he faltered when confronted with the challenge of convincingly selling a humble timepiece.
Luckily, he landed his first job as a trainee at Alfa Laval, a manufacturing firm, earning around Rs. 1400 per month. By engaging hand-on with plant floor workers he gained a deep appreciation of the power of teamwork, trust, and interpersonal connections to achieve success. This realization shaped his career path, underscoring the foundational importance of building a strong network.

1988

If you imagine it, you can do it

Driven to achieve more, Vivek dared to dream the improbable: pursuing higher education in the United States. Inspired by a few close friends, Vivek mustered the courage to apply to various universities, earning admission to several. Unfortunately, the weight of the family’s entire life savings fell short, unable to support even a solitary semester of tuition. In the face of such odds, his family and friends rallied together, unwavering in their belief of his limitless potential. After an initial heart-wrenching rejection, fate intervened, bestowing upon Vivek one of the most monumental opportunities of his life: a visa to embark on his academic journey in the United States.

1989

Every journey begins with the first step

Embarking on an extraordinary adventure, Vivek encountered numerous milestones – his first visit to an airport, first flight, departure from his homeland, and the separation from his loved ones. Armed with a mere $2850, he fearlessly pursued his dream of studying at Clemson University, balancing part-time minimum wage jobs at the Post Office and in Food Sciences. Despite the financial constraints he endured, Vivek’s unwavering commitment eventually earned him a teaching assistant position, which marked a significant turning point in his journey.

1991

When in doubt, make the (phone) call!

On a summer day while researching for a topic in a book for his Masters thesis, he picked up the phone and called a company listed at the back of the book with a new idea he wanted to discuss. Luckily, the call bounced from the receptionist and reached the manager who headed Technology and Products. At the end of the call, he invited Vivek to visit the office in Pittsburgh in the following week for an in person interview, and at the end of the day, Vivek was offered a full-time job with an annual salary of $34000. All through a fortuitous, but proactive phone call.

1991-2001

Think “grounds-up” like an entrepreneur

Vivek’s first professional venture in America was with a small tech firm, offering him invaluable opportunities to grasp the industry from the ground up. From coding software, tending to technical support calls, consulting, as well as pre-sales and sales Vivek learned the value of hand-on experience.. During this journey, he encountered an exceptional, authentic leader in the company’s brilliant founder, Dr. C. Dennis Pegden. By role modeling empathy, kindness, intellect, and grace, Dr. Pegden mentored Vivek to eventually lead Product Management for the world’s #1 Simulation Software, culminating in its acquisition by Rockwell Software.

2001-2006

Instill a sense of belief

Rockwell Automation provided Vivek with valuable insights into the inner workings of a global organization, a 6B industrial automation leader. Working directly for Kevin Roach, President of Rockwell’s software division, Vivek learned how to construct leadership teams, think strategically, and the art of deal-making. Witnessing Kevin’s exemplary work ethic, clarity of vision, and natural ability to connect and lift everyone became a working masterclass in leadership.

2006-Present

Continue to learn from the best

At SAP, Vivek has continued to learn leadership from the best of the best. He learned the art and science of Marketing from Marty Homlish, Jonathan Becher, and Alicia Tillman —the former CMOs of SAP. Working alongside Nick Tzitzon in Bill McDermott’s office, CEO of SAP, provided rare insight into cultivating a customer-driven, purpose oriented culture. From his peers and senior executives on how to compete in dynamically evolving industry in a globally relevant business.

Present

Nurturing young leaders with “Purpose”

With unwavering dedication to personal and professional growth, Vivek Bapat channels his learnings, especially from those learned from Prof. Bill George, & Scott Snook from Harvard Business School, and personal friend and mentor, Peter Sims ( Co-Author, Discover Your True North, and Little Bets) to empower aspiring leaders. Through the transformative “Purpose Driven Leadership” articles, talks and course, Vivek expertly combines character-based leadership principles with traditional competency approaches. Ambitious individuals are guided on a journey to align their development with purpose and nurture their authentic leadership voices.

Message from Vivek

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Races are always won and lost on the turns. So, it is often the smallest of things in the most critical moments that have the greatest impact.
And success is rarely achieved alone. If you inspire and create a sense of belief together with those around you, you’ll achieve greater things.
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