Last week, something truly incredible happened: I was honored to win the Adobe’s GDC Annual Rockstar Award. To go from nominee to winner felt absolutely surreal, and as I reflect on this moment, my heart is bursting with gratitude for every person who made it possible.
And one small sentence from my daughter that changed everything.
A huge shout-out to our leaders Anu and Naren – your unwavering belief and constant support have been nothing short of invaluable. This award literally wouldn’t have happened without your guidance. And to all my Adobe colleagues, thank you for the incredible collaboration and camaraderie that make our work so rewarding.
This recognition also belongs, in a massive way, to my phenomenal Workfront team. Honestly, I feel like I’m just the lucky one standing up front, representing their sheer passion, incredible resilience, and tireless hard work.
This award is a testament to every single one of you. Thank you, team, for being the true rockstars.
One of the most touching aspects of the entire experience was Adobe’s thoughtful gesture of inviting our families to the nominees’ meetup. Seeing my wife and daughter there, sharing in the excitement, added an immeasurable layer of joy to the evening.
Then came that moment. When my wife and daughter were asked to say a few words, they both spoke about how proud they were. But it was my daughter’s simple, heartfelt declaration that stopped me in my tracks: “He is like my god.” Those words… they were a seismic shift in my world. A raw, unfiltered expression of love that transcended any professional accolade, humbling me to my core. It was a moment I’ll carry with me always.
Afterward, many leaders and colleagues approached me, curious about the “secret sauce” to balancing a demanding career with such a deeply appreciative family and I was almost clueless about it. It’s a question I’ve wrestled with myself, especially knowing how different things used to be some years back.
Of course, parenting keeps you grounded—my two-year-old son, Suvik, reminds me of it daily. No formula works for him; he just wants time, all of it. And since I can’t always give it, let’s just say… I’m not winning any awards in Suvik’s book yet. 😅
To get answer to the question my colleagues asked, I recently had a candid conversation about it with my wife and daughter. I admitted to them that just a few years ago, I was often referred to as the “missing” father and husband, consumed by work. So, what truly shifted? What transformed that dynamic to the point where my daughter sees me in such an awe-inspiring light?
Here are the pivotal changes that they came out through our conversation, that made all the difference –
- Presence Over Quantity: I learned that it’s not about the sheer number of hours you’re physically present, but the quality of the time you dedicate. Fully present, engaged moments, even if brief, forge infinitely deeper connections than countless hours spent distracted or half-there.
- Listen to Understand, Not to Fix: My default mode was always to jump in and solve problems. But I realized my family often just needed to be heard. Learning to actively listen – truly understanding their perspectives and feelings without immediately offering solutions – has built a bedrock of trust and understanding.
- Empathy Over Judgment: There were times when frustrations would boil over on disagreements. I’ve consciously worked on never getting frustrated in any situation by trying to understand the situation with empathy and non-judgementally. This shift has brought immense peace and stability to our home life.
These crucial insights, and the ability to consistently apply them, didn’t appear out of thin air. I owe a great deal to my incredible mentor, Bijay, whose wisdom and unwavering guidance have been instrumental. Inner Engineering program by Sadhguru have also deeply impacted my approach to life and relationships, offering a richer understanding of human dynamics. My experiences with ICF Coaching provided invaluable frameworks for effective communication and empathy. And finally, the supportive and people-first culture at Adobe itself, which genuinely champions well-being and a balanced life, has created the perfect environment for these changes to flourish.
This Adobe Rockstar Award is a tremendous honor, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved as a team. But the true “rockstar” award, the one that resonates deepest, is the profound love and respect I’ve earned from my family and team. It’s a powerful reminder that genuine success isn’t solely measured in professional milestones, but in the richness and depth of the relationships we nurture.
Thank you, Adobe, for this incredible recognition, and for championing the whole person, not just the employee. And to my amazing Workfront team and my family – you are the real rockstars who made this Adobe Award possible.
And if you’re striving for balance, know this: it’s never too late to rewrite your story—at work, and more importantly, at home.
Would love to hear from you on this hard to find elusive balance of work and life?