Smita Tharoor is a motivational keynote speaker and thought-leader on how the Unconscious Bias influences all of us. She is the founder of Tharoor Associates a Training, Coaching and Organisational development company and co-founder of Culturelytics, a company that uses artificial-intelligence to understand culture in an organisation. She is a TEDx speaker, broadcaster, trainer, coach, mentor, Mindfulness practitioner and associate lecturer.
In her podcast, Stories of Unconscious Bias, she has interviewed people around the world to share their stories and life-lessons on how they manage their unconscious biases.
Smita is an associate lecturer at Jindal University, India and the University of Arts, London. She is the recipient of the “Global Diversity Leadership” Award at the 2017 World HRD Congress.
Growing up in pluralistic India taught her the value of tolerance and appreciation of the acceptance of differences. Her experience working around the world gives her a unique advantage in understanding the expectations and needs of different cultures.
1. Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I feel most at home in a place where I am with people I love. That could include any country I have visited for the first time or that I know well. I am lucky in that I have family living in 3 continents. But closest to my heart are India and London, in equal measure.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
Being a mother of 3 adult sons, I feel proud that I have brought them up to be well- rounded, good, kind and caring men. Parents have a lot of power; fundamentally, we are all the product of our parenting, no matter what age we are. It is up to us as to how we wield that power.
3. What inspires you?
I work in the field of Unconscious Bias and recently started a podcast series called Stories of Unconscious Bias, where people around the world share their stories of Unconscious Bias. I have been hugely inspired by the stories I have heard, stories that would crush many of us. Being positive in the face of insurmountable challenges is most inspirational.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I don’t see obstacles in my career. Careers and life in itself are cyclical. Every once in a while, a wave will come and knock you to the ground. At other times, you may be swimming with ease. It’s about riding the waves as they go up and down.
5. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My husband Seamus Murphy who cheered me on when I decided to leave a salaried job to start my own company during recession, and who continues to believe in what I do. Seamus and my 3 sons, Avinash, Nihal and Ashwin are my greatest champions.
6. What is the best aspect about your current role?
Interviewing all these amazing, inspiring people around the world. How many of us can have heard personal stories of someone who was a refugee after India’s partition, or dealing with FGM in Somalia or hearing the story of a journalist who lost 3 limbs in a land mine in Afghanistan and continues to work and contribute to society. I feel privileged.
7. And the worst?
Working for yourself means you don’t ever clock-off. I never seem to have enough hours in the day. Quiet self-indulgent weekends remain only in my imagination.
8. What are your long-term goals?
To give myself an entire weekend off without any work commitments. To indulge myself and read a novel in the middle of a weekday. Now that would be decadent living!
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Putting my country before myself and my ego. Genuinely listening and learning to be more inclusive instead of being seen to tick the boxes.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
My father Chandran Tharoor who died in 1993 aged 63. He was a man who taught me all I know about being non-judgemental, challenging our Unconscious Biases, seeing the good in all human beings, being kind and seeing the positive in all situations. I would love to tell him how I’ve been keeping busy since he left and learn some more life-lessons from him before I am rescued to join the wider world.
