From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship and Creative Arts

REBEL CURIOSITIES

What would you do differently, knowing that you probably have 1,000 weeks left in this world?
Neeraj Narayan has spent 14 years with Nike as a top global director, working his way through roles and ranks across different countries. These days, he is an entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and CEO of Synergy India Ventures, which is dedicated to social impact.
He is also embracing his creativity through writing, painting and photography - all captured with his unique lens of deep introspection. Neeraj shares what it is like to be "a rebel in the family”, to constantly pursue something meaningful to him outside of the scripted path, which his father would have much preferred for him. We share thoughts on how important curiosity is in leadership, yet how challenging some managers find it.
The conversation also goes deeper into his journey, from burnout to entrepreneurship, managing the highs and lows of running your own business, and how setting boundaries may actually just set you free.
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Key chapters:

• How he got a job offer from Nike on LinkedIn, 14 years ago
• The most common mistakes people make while working in Nike
• “What if I fail” mentality is a barrier - it doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the right experience
• Being the “rebel” in the family opened up new unexpected paths
• How to be curious - yet not defiantly challenging to your boss
• Leadership lessons from Metallica band
• What burnout really feels like
• The "1,000 weeks" philosophy
• The cycle of ups and downs as an entrepreneur
• Fighting climate change starts with not accepting the default
• Problem-solving requires curiosity and courage

Connect with Neeraj Narayan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neerajnarayan/
His art and photography: https://www.instagram.com/neerajnarayan/
His writing: https://medium.com/@neeraj.narayan
His art studio: https://neerajnarayan.art/
His organisation: https://www.synergyindia.ventures/
Connect with Pearl Lim: https://wwwhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/pearl-lim-curiousleaderscircle/
Podcast site: www.rebelcuriosities.com