Alumni Author: Design Your Career – Dr. Pavan Soni, PhD 2016

Dr. Pavan Soni is a distinguished author, researcher, educator, and consultant known for his expertise in innovation, strategy, and design thinking. His latest book, Design Your Career, offers valuable insights into how individuals can take control of their career journeys and create a meaningful and impactful professional life. Dr. Soni’s work, grounded in over two decades of experience, combines a global research perspective with a uniquely Indian approach. While his research and ideology are universally applicable, he draws on examples from Indian industries to offer practical, relatable insights that resonate with an Indian audience.

As the founder of Inflexion Point Consulting, Dr. Soni has worked with over 200 organizations to foster innovation cultures and solve complex challenges. His books bridge the gap between global frameworks and local realities, providing international readers with a deeper understanding of the Indian career landscape and its evolving dynamics. With a PhD from IIM Bangalore and teaching roles at prestigious institutions like IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, and ISB Hyderabad, he continues to inspire professionals to rethink their careers with clarity and confidence.

Can you tell us about yourself?

I’d like to answer this question in reverse chronological order. Currently, I am exploring my journey as an author, a path I find deeply fulfilling yet still full of opportunities to discover. Alongside writing, I run Inflexion Point Consulting, a company I founded in 2016 during my PhD at IIM Bangalore. The firm specializes in consulting on design thinking, strategy, and fostering innovation culture, while also offering corporate training and executive coaching programs.

Academically, I hold a PhD in Corporate Strategic Policy from IIM Bangalore. Before my doctoral journey, I spent seven years at Wipro as an Innovation Evangelist, and for the past two decades, I have been immersed in the fields of creativity and innovation, making writing on the subject a natural extension of my work. I also hold an MBA from IIM Mumbai.

In addition to consulting, I actively teach at premier institutions such as IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, and ISB Hyderabad. My time is largely devoted to writing, reading, teaching, and consulting, allowing me to combine my passion for knowledge with practical impact.

What was the idea behind writing your book Design Your Career?

The idea for Design Your Career was born from years of observing how people struggle to fully utilize their potential in professional settings. When working with organizations, I noticed a recurring theme: talent was being wasted on a massive scale. One of the primary culprits was organizational politics, where individuals are often second-guessing the system, unsure of their place, and navigating unproductive dynamics. This issue has been further amplified post-pandemic as the workplace and career landscape have undergone a seismic shift.

Post-pandemic, the world has embraced flexibility, entrepreneurship, and experimentation. Gig work is now a legitimate career path; working mothers find remote opportunities more accommodating, and employees no longer aspire to retire where they first started. Moonlighting has gained traction, and students are seeking funding from investors rather than solely focusing on academic pursuits. Moreover, companies have become more forgiving—failure is no longer the stigma it once was, and even failed entrepreneurs are given opportunities. Despite these options, many people feel adrift, unsure whether to align with market trends or focus on their unique strengths.

In my 15+ years of conducting over 700 workshops across more than 200 organizations, I’ve seen this firsthand. Career decisions, which shape nearly a third of our lives, are often left to chance—dependent on a boss’s favor or an HR policy, rather than a deliberate strategy. This randomness in something so central to our existence led me to research a better approach.

In Design Your Career, I’ve drawn from diverse fields like history, philosophy, psychology, literature, and spirituality, as well as my own research and practical experiences. The book offers actionable tools to help readers think more clearly about their career paths. Life shouldn’t just happen to us—we need to take charge of our plans. While plans may sometimes fail, the act of planning is invaluable, especially for something as vital as a career. My goal is to empower readers to design their careers with purpose, clarity, and confidence.

Who is your book Design Your Career meant for, and who will benefit the most from it?

Design Your Career is for anyone who feels mentally stuck and is seeking a career of significance, no matter their background. This book empowers individuals from all walks of life—whether you’re a homemaker, teacher, white-collar worker, blue-collar worker, or someone contemplating a major career shift. It’s for those who may be underestimating their own potential or overestimating the risks, preventing them from making the bold moves that could transform their lives.

As I often say, “It’s okay if you’re born poor, but if you die poor, that’s not okay—and the same applies to our careers.” Too often, people focus on the downsides, assuming their current career path is the safest choice, but this mindset leads to stagnation.

Design Your Career provides readers with practical tools and insights to break free from feeling mentally stuck, helping them realize that it’s never too late to take control of their career and create a meaningful future. Whether you’re just starting out, mid-career, or considering a shift, this book offers a roadmap to transform your career into one that brings fulfillment and purpose.

Design Your Career is your second book. What was the subject of your first book, Design Your Thinking?

My first book, Design Your Thinking, focuses on problem-solving. At its core, design thinking is a human-centric, systematic approach to tackling challenges. In India, while we’re known for our creativity, our problem-solving often leans towards a jugaad (quick-fix) mentality, which can lead to more problems than solutions. We tend to live for the present, neglecting the long-term consequences.

This book offers a structured method to problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of discipline in finding sustainable solutions. I believe that life itself is about problem-solving, even on a microcosmic level. Whether in our personal lives or within organizations, our actions impact those around us. The book is especially aimed at corporate professionals, helping them adopt a more thoughtful and systematic approach to problem-solving that can lead to better outcomes in both business and everyday life.

What makes you happy as an author?

What brings me the most happiness as an author is hearing from readers who have applied the tools and insights from my books to improve their lives. Many people claim they don’t have time to read, but I always encourage them to reconsider that thought. My books are meant to make a practical difference in the lives of those who engage with them. Both books are interconnected—while one focuses on enhancing problem-solving skills, the other guides on making informed career choices. Knowing that my readers are using these ideas to create positive change brings me immense satisfaction.

What is one of the key takeaways from your book?

One of the key takeaways from my book is the concept that “life is long, pace it well.” It’s a notion that might seem counterintuitive in today’s fast-paced world, but I believe the rush to achieve everything at once is unnecessary. Nature teaches us patience—the butterfly, the tree, the flower—none of them hurry. Yet, we humans often create a sense of urgency, thinking we need to achieve everything by a certain age. The idea of retiring by 40 is romanticized, but in reality, few people ever do. Instead of measuring your life in years, consider dividing it into decades. This shift in perspective can change everything. We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in a year and underestimate what we can achieve in a decade. It’s okay not to be “on” all the time or to be everywhere. Life is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. In a world that often values fleeting attention and fast results, it’s important to focus on what endures. In the past, people left legacies through art, literature, and discoveries. Today, we live longer and healthier lives, yet many of us leave little behind. So, rather than spreading yourself thin in the race for success, take a step back, gather your thoughts, and focus on creating something meaningful. Life gives us countless opportunities, and we should make the most of every moment.

Dr. Pavan Soni’s Design Your Career is an invaluable guide for anyone looking to take charge of their professional journey. You can explore his work further through his books on Amazon or connect with him on LinkedIn at Dr. Pavan Soni LinkedIn.