Many bright people do not reach the position they deserve simply because they lack the realization that by confining themselves in their cubicles and focusing narrowly on their work they can earn kudos only in the beginning of their career not later.  Some of them are puzzled, some are frustrated, and some are not able to cope up with their difficult colleagues. Then there are those who become very nervous in front of their manager’s bosses. These woes are plenty and are not necessarily just about junior employees, but managers too.

Managers have unfair expectations like demanding respect from their teams but not doing enough to earn it. Many of them focus only on managing upwards failing to realize that managing downwards is equally important.

“Hard work is necessary for a job, but not sufficient to grow in your career”. One should realise that skills start to play a role in addition to subject matter expertise. If they don’t, they start committing the blunders further putting brake to their career. Same old behaviour cannot be applied to solve the new challenges because lack of such understanding leads to angst about losing out in the corporate race.

Utkarsh Rai’s ‘Faster Smarter Higher –Managing Your Career addresses, career management from the perspective of managing key relationships at work and is divided into chapters on how to deal with various stakeholders of one’s career. Successful management of key relationships will also help to adapt to the dynamic ecosystem and play a vital role in deciding or supporting the career growth. In the foreword N.R. Narayana Murthy writes ‘Utkarsh Rai’s book is a commendable effort that presents a holistic view of career management. A good read, especially for professionals in the early to mid-stages of their careers’.

Faster Smarter Higher-Managing Your Career was launched on 6^th May 2016 organised at Atta Galatta. Book was launched in the gracious presence of Mr.Ameen Haque from Storywallah’s, staff of Infinera and Mrs. Deepti Rai.

Mr. Ameen Haque was in conversation with the author Mr.Utkarsh Rai VP Software and MD Infinera, he is also known for his previous works like ‘101 Myths and Realities @ the Office’ and‘Offshoring Secrets’. During the conversation Mr.Rai shared experiences of his writing career that he began a decade ago, he said that during his long career he has interacted with thousands of people and have seen them struggling in their career for all wrong reasons, he suggested them different approaches, helped them to choose right options and most importantly tried to make them aware of the root cause hindering their career growth.

The important aspect of relationship management with key stakeholders in office made him write this book.

On being asked a question by Mr.Ameen, that what was the piece of advice that you wish you had in early stage of your career, Mr Rai’s reply was get more feedback, to get more feedback try to interact more with the people and maintain a very good relation with manager’s peer. He also explained how to bounce back from negative feedback through constructive actions.

To the questions of Mr.Ameen of what are the three mistakes that young people of this generation do, his reply was not moving with people having high knowledge, high performers and considered to be senior; Poor networking and casual dressing.

In Utkarsh’s opinion, everybody should beat their drum but do not over do it. It is important to show the visibility of work to the managers and their peer to get recognised.

For being asked about the uniqueness of the book, he said the sections are divided into two parts: First part explains the situation and the second part tells you how to deal with it. Utkarsh also explains that, his book is brutally honest, demystifies the office politics and can certainly help you to Fast track your career in a smart way to reach a higher growth.

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