Growing and Evolving Within a Corporate Environment

Photo courtesy of Rachana Garg

Not all relaunch stories culminate in a drastic career change. After a big career shift in her 20s from theater to pharmaceutical sales, Rachana Garg has spent the last 19 years growing and evolving within the same company. Today—as Global Diversity, Equity and Communication Lead and sales leader at Pfizer, a yoga teacher and mom of three boys—Rachana has created a role for herself that integrates her artistic gifts, sales training and yogic wisdom in a corporate environment.

Q: How did you know it was time to leave your first career as a stage manager?

I was producing about 200+ shows a year at the Kennedy Center and other venues around Washington, D.C. when I realized something on my own. I was journaling, and just feeling like I was missing out on my life. I was always the latest, the last one to get anywhere with friends or family. It really hit me when I got engaged, and I couldn’t go to India to do my wedding shopping—which is a big deal, culturally. It really hit me that I might want to shift something, and I didn’t know what. 

For me, it was never about NOT working. I always make that very clear. It was about finding the time and the space to prioritize family and self first. I didn’t have kids at the time. 

Q: How did you figure out what that shift was?

I am a big believer in relationships and networks, and I really go into my gut with intuition and energy.  I remember seeking out the Yale Club, since I had just come from grad school there. I would go to a lot of educational events with [my husband Rishi, a doctor] and meet people from the pharmaceutical field. I just started talking to people. For me, it was about not being afraid to and just being curious to say, ‘Hey, tell me more about your life.’

Q: What are you doing now?

Long story short, (or as my family says “Long story long, when it comes to mom”) I met a Pfizer pharmaceutical representative named Jason and we became friends. And the rest is kind of history.

I transitioned careers to Pfizer again 19 years ago this September. I started in sales. Then, I worked in hospital and military account sales. From there, I felt honored to be a sales manager for a number of years, leading teams of people in D.C. I had the opportunity to lead headquarter culture initiatives, design thinking and simplicity initiatives where there was lots of innovation, making me feel like I was bringing my theater experience back. I leaned on all of my life and career experiences to guide what I did next.

And then most recently as of June 2021, my focus is working with our Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as their Communications Lead.  But ultimately, it's not about the job title for me. It’s about the purpose of work. When I aim my mind, my career continues to be a zig zag of experiences and adventures that leave me fulfilled. 

Q: What would you tell someone who can’t—or doesn’t necessarily want—to quit their job but wants to pivot within their current company? 

I would say: Use courage. Speak up. There's a lot of fear in self exploration and I try to coach others to ‘listen to your intuition and speak your truth.’ 

Don't be afraid to reach out to a stranger at your company with a job that you think sounds awesome and want to learn more about it.  Put time on their calendar. I think it’s important to have the courage to do that type of thing, and just learn about what they do every day. Leaders are people and it’s human nature to want to help others. I think that might help inspire you and lead you to different avenues. We are all human. Humans like to connect and help others. 

If there's an opportunity either in your community or at your company to take roles that might excite you, do it. Take time to reflect on: what are your strengths, what’s your passion and your purpose in life? What do you want to wake up doing daily? 

Figure out what you’re good at, and act on it. Action is so important. Or else you get stuck. 

If you have colleague resource groups, there are opportunities to connect with people who may have similar stories, and also lots of opportunities to take on volunteer roles. They’re looking for people to help. Belonging to communities, whether professionally or personally (PTA, etc), inspires us. I promise it brings joy. 

Q:  What do you think have been the secrets of staying happy and engaged at the same company for 19 years? 

I teach this to the kids—and they feel like I’m ‘nagging’ when I say it—it's putting forth the effort all the time to whatever is thrown at me.  I really believe in effort and attitude. In a sales role, obviously, you’re numbers-driven. I believe if I do the right things, am kind, and positive, I can shift people's mindsets—mine included—my community’s mindset around me, and it’s a domino effect.  And I really can live with myself when I go to bed, that I know that I put everything in those two areas.

Part of my successes have been building national culture teams by trying to see life through others’ lenses/perspectives.  I believe in listening to people and figuring out what they need. People like to complain and I don't mind listening, but I try to shift mindsets and say, ‘Why do you feel that way and OK, what can we do about this?’

I keep up with my network. With some people, it’s over the phone. Sometimes, it’s an email. Especially at the end of the year, I send a digital holiday card and my top three professional proudest moments and my top three personal proudest moments, just to keep on my networks’ radar. I don't want to connect with them just when I'm reaching for an opportunity. And, I really do like to connect again with people from my life’s journey. 

Q: What keeps you enjoying it? 

Are some days hard? Yes, I'm not going to lie. I try not to pitch my tent in the areas when it's hard. I try to accept and feel it when things are really hard and I'm anxious about it.  But then I breathe, aim my mind on what’s next, and move on. We are human and all is not always perfect.

I've been doing yoga on and off since I was 18, and finally in the last couple of years I decided to take the leap and teach. There's this Japanese term, ikigai, meaning your passion and what you love to do. I feel like the purpose drives me, and that it connects with my yoga. So my role right now—ensuring that every person is seen, heard and cared for—the equity piece, that’s yoga. 

I feel like I'm at a stage where I’m 46 years old and my kids are 11, 12, and 15 and I love what I do. I have an opportunity to shift global culture, and it goes back to yoga, the union. The union of one’s mind. When the mind is calm, harmonious, and concentrated, you gain an understanding of yourself and others.

Q: How do you incorporate yoga and mindfulness into your corporate job? 

I've gratefully been asked to lead meditation sessions for my team recently. And we're having a lot of safe space listening conversations, with all the things that are happening in the world right now. I do feel like that's the calling and that's kind of the transition. 

Maybe in a former life I had some sort of Japanese descent, because I believe in the wabi sabi.  I have to remember wabi sabi daily, because I don't always live it. Wabi sabi means finding the beauty in impermanence and imperfection. 

With the pandemic, a lot of people are hurting right now. Believing in wabi sabi helps me model to others like, ‘It's OK, we're going to make mistakes.  We're going to miss a call, we're going to forget a carpool. Let's give ourselves the grace to find the beauty in being imperfect.’