One career is not enough for some. Instead of dealing with midlife crisis, notable some seek midlife inspiration—a change of career in their fifties. This is an inflexion point in their working life, the emphasis changes from task-orientation to implementation of their vision. This change is about self-actualisation.
The reason he discarded a secured corporate leadership job to dive into the uncertain world of self-exploration is to give wings to his ideas and visions and be a change agent for the better. “I do things on my terms,” he says unwavering, therefore, he feels, “I don’t have weekends, or the need for it, for I like what I do.”
More often than not, fifty is the age of transition, and transformation, when the old skin is shed to make way for the new. There are numerous examples of armed services officers or for that matter civil servants getting into the corporate sector, and making it big in the business world. There are some who shun a corporate leadership position for a more flexible, open-ended life as a consultant, investor and advisor.
Subhrangshu Kumar Neogi is a good example, and an inspiration for those who are looking for a change, to make their professional pursuit fulfilling. Approaching fifty, Subhrangshu left a paying job of leadership in the corporate world to start a Fintech company. He wears many hats and has a wide array of expertise: is an angel investor, investor shareholder, with a proven track record of driving scale and growth across in FMCG, Retail, Financial Services, Media, Telecom, Education to name a few.
His numerous skill sets are quintessentially unique to him. There’s no one like him. An expert in integrated marketing, business development, digital and cultural transformation. He’s a thought leader in his own right and a digital evangelist. He has evolved in all these years, and kept pace with the fast-changing technology. That explains why he is an ardent supporter and promoter of Phygital—the blending digital experiences with physical—for businesses to be efficient and effective.
The reason he discarded a secured corporate leadership job to dive into the uncertain world of self-exploration is to give wings to his ideas and visions and be a change agent for the better. “I do things on my terms,” he says unwavering, therefore, he feels, “I don’t have weekends, or the need for it, for I like what I do.”
The distinction between work and leisure, in his case, is blurred, “and will eventually obliterate,” he reiterates and adds, “this happens when you do thing on your terms.” He has a home office, and “needs a desk to work.” He does not have the regular working hours; his day is filled with meticulously planned meetings and engagements one after the other.
The best thing I like about Subhrangshu is that he thinks straight and acts without delay on what he feels needs to be done. He’s not reckless, perhaps a bit impulsive, but very intuitive, and for sure not risk-averse. He has a simple philosophy in life that guides his way. He wants to make his actions EPIC—energy, passion, integrity and collaboration.
It is hard to imagine that an introvert child, Subhrangshu, would grow up to opt for a career in sales and marketing. He has a uncanny ability to make even his professional decisions with heart. “I fell in love with FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods),” he says. He pursued his love and did very well, in the years that followed, he changed jobs, excelled in varied roles that came his way, and progressively climbed to the top of the ladder to become the chief marketing officer of Religare.
At the helm, he felt wasn’t growing, and sought a greater challenge. He had the audacity to leave it all and start afresh at a stage in life when people traditionally plan their retirement. His priority now is a greater element of creativity, and freedom in what he does, rather than being trapped in one’s own success—read comfort zone.
It was his self-belief, with family providing a strong anchorage, he was open to experimenting with life. His gamble paid off and he’s an inspiration for many who feel trapped in a golden cage. Craving for predictability and security is not just stifling, at times can also be debilitating.
Subhrangshu believes that life is a process of learning, that also entails unlearning to adopt new ways of achieving EPIC. He asks himself before going to bed every day: “what new have I learned?” A day is wasted if there’s no learning—that involves unlearning—to evolve into a better version of yourself. Life is a project in progress.
“Life’s a journey and I’m a curious learner,” he says. Likes meeting people, learning from interacting, supporting, and collaborating. He is full of questions—when, how and where! In our first encounter, he asked me more questions than I asked him.
He is driven, listens to his heart, some accuse him of being impulsive that he doesn’t deny, just qualify by saying, “I can be proactive.” Work keeps him sane, going, active, but “I don’t work for me. There are bigger goals." Perhaps its about happiness, for "If I’m not happy, the whole family is not happy,” he explains. He thinks loudly, for some of our conversations weren’t about anything specific, but expressing one’s state of being, opinions and approach to life, and the ability to listen to your inner voice. “I have an outward focus,” he explains.
Subhrangshu has a large circle of friends and acquaintances—is well networked—but few are close to him. He recently celebrated his 50th and invited people who he is close to, and played part in his success story. And they were his bosses, colleagues, and juniors; also, friends from school and college. It was not just about celebrating the past well spent but ushering in a better future.
Paradoxical is the nature of things, unlearning to learn more, the disengaging with the present to shape deeper engagements in the future. Life demands a certain flexibility. Subhrangshu is versatile and flexible and doer and achiever.
A family man, his father was a senior cop, and as they say, old habits die hard. His father still treats Subhrangshu like a teenager and doesn’t go to sleep till he is back home. So, late nights remain tricky. His wife, Kavita, also a professional, is his best friend and the anchor of his life that has allowed him to soar high in the sky.
He's father of two sons, the elder, Vedanta, is pursuing engineering from IIT-Delhi while the younger, Sidhantha, is doing history honours from Delhi University. They have been brought up to think independently and have their own distinct world view. The three generations of men don’t shy away from speaking their mind.
The objective of this new beginning is not merely existential, to make a livelihood or amass wealth, but also to create a lasting legacy. Subhrangsh is excited about the future. He reminds me of what Franz Kafka famously wrote, “youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” The real beauty of life is to ride the wave of change.
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