Welcome to our insightful Q&A session with Nikita Khandwala, a consultant, creator, and self-proclaimed "Futureproofer" on a unique career journey. Join us as we delve into Nikita's world, exploring her experiences, challenges, and valuable insights
Meggie: Hey Nikita, it's fantastic to have you here for this conversation today. To start, could you tell our readers how you would describe yourself in one sentence, other than being a totally rad legend, of course?
Nikita: Hey Meggie, thanks for having me! I'd describe myself as a consultant, creator, and futureproofer.
Meggie: Wonderful, Nikita. Now, tell us about your job title and how you got to where you are today.
Nikita: I am a self-proclaimed Futureproofer and proud portfolio careerist. As an interdisciplinary thinker who loves building AND educating, I'm enjoying carving my unique path. I've worked across big tech, the public sector, the startup ecosystem, and built a couple of businesses along the way. I thrive when I'm treating my career like a science lab.
Meggie: Impressive journey, Nikita! Many of us have faced imposter syndrome in our careers. Have you ever experienced this, and if so, how did you overcome it?
“Self-worth comes by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are.”
Nikita: Yes, who hasn't, right? I moved past imposter syndrome by keeping the promises I made to myself. I read this quote from Alex Hormozi where he says that self-worth comes by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. I've only ever moved past imposter syndrome by keeping myself accountable and building that stack of undeniable proof.
Meggie: That's a powerful way to tackle imposter syndrome, Nikita. Now, who's in your cheer squad? Your ride-or-die crew, your allies who get you through, lift you up, and cheer you on?
Nikita: My partner, my best friends, and my family. The thing is, we need different cheer squads for different moments. No one is meant to get everything in your life. I'm lucky enough to have an incredible support network around me who champion me and encourage me to keep going even when I'm in the depths of despair!
“We need different cheer squads for different moments. No one is meant to get everything in your life.”
Meggie: Having a strong support network is invaluable. Shifting gears a bit, how do you prepare for negotiation conversations, whether it's for a pay raise, promotion, or a brand partnership? We'd love to hear your hacks, top tips, or any awesome advice you've received!
Nikita: The first thing I do is ask other people's advice, particularly from people who've been in a similar negotiation before. This will help you get the ballpark right in terms of your ask/offer. Once I have a reasonable benchmark, I'll craft an offer that feels good given my context. When having the actual conversation, I still get nervous but I've found that the most important thing is to ask questions to uncover the other person's context so you can figure out if you're on the same page. Also, I love Chris Voss' tips in "Never Split the Difference."
Meggie: Those are some valuable negotiation strategies, Nikita. Finally, did you ever agree to something in your career that you now regret doing?
Nikita: Twice, I've accepted an opportunity/job offer I should have declined due to red flags I saw, but chose to ignore. It's painful to realize this in retrospect, but I still wouldn't call it a regret because I learned so much. Both times, the red flags were related to the characteristics of the person offering me the opportunity that ultimately contributed to the working relationship failing (and quite a lot of unnecessary emotional labor!)
Meggie: Thank you, Nikita, for sharing your experiences and wisdom with us today. To learn more about Nikita and her journey, make sure to visit her website here. Nikita's insights remind us of the importance of self-accountability, having a diverse support network, and trusting our instincts in our career paths.
Nikita's story is a testament to the power of self-belief and continuous self-improvement in overcoming imposter syndrome and pursuing unique career paths.
“Your body is smart. Listen to your gut.”