My Journey to a CHRO: Why a Winding Road Can Take You Further Than a Straight Line

When I look back at my career, it is tempting to draw a neat, upward sloping line from where I started to where I am today. The truth? That line would look more like a scribble drawn by a distracted toddler full of twists, turns, and the occasional loop de loop. And yet, here I am, having served as a Global HR Leader, now stepping into the exciting (and slightly daunting) world of entrepreneurship. Along the way, I have collected stories, lessons and a few scars each one a stepping stone in a career I never planned to be this way….but wouldn’t change for the world.

Lesson 1: Careers Don’t Come with GPS Navigation

 In the early part of my career, I was not plotting my course toward a CHRO title. I was chasing something much simpler, my passion for travel. Working with Delta Airlines gave me just that: the thrill of movement, the joy of connecting with people from different cultures, and the free travel  (let’s not discount the perks).

I still remember one winter flight to Frankfurt- a delayed red eye , a cabin full of frustrated passengers and me trying to calm them down with nothing but empathy, a warm smile and extra coffee. At the time, it didn’t look like “serious HR career planning.” But what I was really doing was learning to read people - customers at their best, their worst, their most tired, and their most stressed. That’s not a detour; it was leadership bootcamp at 35,000 feet.

 

Lesson 2: Follow what excites you- “Your passions will find their way back to you”

 

After a decade of jet-setting, I transitioned into core HR roles. This was the second phase of my career, shaping people strategies, building talent pipelines, and making the kind of decisions that actually influence an organization’s heartbeat.

I remember once sitting across from a plant manager in India, who told me:’ We will never be able to fill this role internally”. Six months later, we did because we invested in our people, coached them and gave them a chance to rise.  That moment cemented my belief: passion plus persistence can shift the impossible.

From reducing hiring timelines by nearly half at Pall to leading global talent reviews and succession planning at Knauf, this chapter was all about impact. Looking back, my early experiences weren’t a diversion; they were building blocks.

 

Lesson 3: Change “The Gift Wrapped in Sandpaper”

 

I have led my fair share of transformations: acquisitions, restructures, rightsizing initiatives (yes, the polite corporate term for “we need to talk”), and global diversity programs. Change is rarely comfortable. It is like trying to assemble Ikea furniture without the instructions—you know the final picture will be worth it, but there are a few sharp edges along the way.

I will never forget one conversation during a major restructuring; an employee looked at me in the eye and said. “I know this is not easy for your either, but thank you for being honest with us”. That moment reinforced my belief that change is rarely comfortable but handled with empathy, it builds trust even in the hardest moments.

Change is like assembling Ikea furniture without the instructions- frustrating and awkward at first but ultimately it shapes resilience, foresight, and a thicker skin (which pairs nicely with a good moisturizer, for those long nights of strategy planning).

 

Lesson 4: Leadership Is About Homes, Not Just Headlines

 

At Knauf, we often said, “Make Tomorrow a Home For all of Us.” It’s a lovely purpose statement, but for me, it became something deeper.

I think back to a young leader who once told me “ This is the first place where I feel like my voice actually matters” That stuck with me.  Because leadership isn’t just about headlines or delivering results, it is about creating spaces where people feel they belong.

You can hit your numbers and still lose your team. Or, you can build a sense of home - through communication, recognition, and a dash of humanity ; and watch performance rise because people actually want to be there.

 

Lesson 5: The Journey Evolves—Enter Entrepreneurship

 

Now comes the exciting part: I have stepped into the world of entrepreneurship. Before you picture me in a garage inventing the next big tech disruptor, let me clarify, I am building a consulting practice to help organizations solve their complex human challenges. This chapter is about taking everything I have learned about people, change, and leadership, and applying it in ways that are agile, impactful, and yes, a little daring.

One project close to my heart right now?

Enhancing employability for young Indian talent to work in Japan.  fascinating project I am working on right now enhancing employability for young Indian talent to work in Japan. It is a beautiful loop back to my passion for global mobility—only this time, I’m not boarding the flight; I am shaping the runway.

 

So, What’s the Point of All This?

 

If you take one thing from my winding journey, let it be this: “careers don’t need to be linear to be meaningful.

The “zigzags” are not wasted time; they are where you collect your leadership tools; resilience from the tough projects, perspective from the lateral moves, creativity from the unexpected roles.

Think of it like assembling a Lego masterpiece. You don’t always know what the final picture will look like, but every piece has a place, even the oddly shaped ones you’re not sure about at first.

 

For Future Leaders: Here’s My Challenge to You

 

1. Stop obsessing over perfect plans. Make courageous ones instead.
2. Treat change like that uncomfortable but honest friend—it’s there to make you better.
3. Build homes, not just headlines. People remember how you made them feel, not just what you achieved.
4. And when the next chapter calls- whether it’s a promotion, a pivot, or a plunge into entrepreneurship; say yes. Your future self will thank you.

About Author

Nisha Dasgupta is a seasoned global HR leader turned entrepreneur, dedicated to shaping workplaces that foster employee engagement and high performance. 

Leveraging over two decades of expertise as a CHRO in a multinational, she partners now with organizations to create inclusive, future-focused strategies that strengthen culture, unlock talent potential, and drive sustainable business success. 

Find him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nishadasgupta

Disclaimer from Renous

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our publication. The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. The reader should always conduct their own research and due diligence before taking any action based on the information provided in this article.

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