Reflecting on the past five years as a development professional, I’ve realized that this journey has been as much about personal growth as it has been about professional learning. The lessons I’ve learned have not only shaped my approach to work but have also influenced how I view life, relationships, and change. Here are the five key insights I’ve realized along this journey:
1. Building & Nurturing Relationships drives meaningful change –
As an introvert with shades of extraversion, connecting with people and understanding their lives energizes me. In the development sector, building relationships is a journey that unfolds through time, patience, and authentic conversations. One of the aspects I cherish most about working at Agrasar is the team’s deep grassroots experience and their genuine connection with the community, which has been incredibly inspiring.
At Agrasar, I’ve come to understand that relationships aren’t just formed or built—they’re nurtured. Trust, the foundation of any meaningful connection, is cultivated through consistent, small actions that show care and respect. True relationships go beyond mere exchanges; they’re about genuinely supporting, understanding, and enabling people without expecting anything in return. By observing, listening, and appreciating the people around me, I’ve not only recognized my team member’s strengths and areas for growth but also shared my own, which has been key to our collective progress. This interdependence, while essential, has prompted me to consider how we can design systems that ensure sustainability within our organization—systems that don’t overly depend on any one individual, including myself.
2. Witnessing Change Takes Time and requires Systemic Synergy with a shared vision –
Systemic Synergy includes working towards a shared vision through the engagement of the team, community, funders, government agencies, partners, and supporters.
Change is possible with effort, even as it becomes more challenging with age. Neuroscience research and the concept of a ‘growth mindset’ affirm that change isn’t impossible. However, while we can model change and support people, it can’t be forced – only facilitated. Sustainable change occurs when individuals take action themselves as demonstrated by our women’s collectives in Gurgaon, who assert their rights to receive their entitled rations from FPS. Witnessing such growth and transformation is inspiring, and while we often share such success stories, I’ve also learned the importance of sharing our failures and challenges. These stories not only build authentic relationships but also underscore the need for structural and cultural change within our communities and the ecosystem.
Besides, engaging with funders has shown me the value of understanding their priorities and maintaining proactive communication and engagement; long-term strategic partnerships with a minimum of three years of support are vital for meaningful, systemic change.
We are part of complex systems, and change is a collective effort. Acceptance, paired with hope and small actions, keeps me moving forward.
3. Anchoring Reflective practice and progressing with the community –
As a dreamer and idealist, my vision aligned with Agrasar’s goal of building a secure and peaceful life for the communities we serve. To truly contribute, I learned the importance of immersing myself in the community, staying curious, and being fully present. Initially, I over-planned without fully understanding the changing context, which taught me to stay observant and ask more questions. Bias towards action is key.
I also mistakenly created parallel systems without grasping the team’s needs, highlighting the need for effective communication and a deep understanding of existing systems before initiating changes. Feedback from my team has been invaluable, guiding me toward clearer and more impactful communication—a skill I continue to refine.
Since childhood, I’ve struggled with shyness and fear of judgment and not being enough, stemming from my school environment and a tendency to accommodate others and avoid conflict. Over the past five years, I’ve pushed myself to speak confidently, express my feelings, and actively resolve conflicts, especially with more experienced individuals. I’ve learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear but the decision to move forward despite it, often fuelled by a deep sense of injustice and unmet needs. Being authentic and vulnerable is challenging but liberating, as I’ve experienced when standing up for myself and others. A valuable lesson from ISDM that has stayed with me is that most undesired reactions and behaviors stem from incompetency, not bad intentions because as humans, we are fallible.
I have learned that knowledge build confidence and enhances communication. Coming from a commerce background, I initially lacked specific knowledge about the development sector. To bridge this gap, I pursued a Post Graduate Programme in Development Leadership from ISDM, which provided an overview of the sector and honed my skills. Clarity came when I started conducting sessions with children and engaging with teachers and parents. Witnessing the pervasive physical and mental violence against children deeply affected me, leading me to build skills in counseling and deepen my understanding of child rights.
This realization led me to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Rights Law from NLSIU and pursue M.A. degrees in Psychology and Education from IGNOU. Each new piece of knowledge has built my confidence and improved my communication. However, I’m still exploring questions like how government planning and budgeting work, how to ensure accountability, how community action drives social change, and how to make mental health accessible. These questions keep me curious and committed to continuous learning.
4. Personal and Professional Life are deeply connected
A vision or dream transcends any job or organization, impacting society at large. My vision of a peaceful and secure life for families, especially children, reflects my core values—compassion, courage, peace, and oneness. These values should guide our thoughts, words, and actions, regardless of the context. I acknowledge that I’m not perfect and can’t always maintain complete integrity, but striving for growth is key. Over the past five years, personal and family health challenges have taught me the importance of balance and harmony —prioritizing health, family, and social connections.
Life is imperfect, and circumstances can change in an instant. What matters is how we act today and how we prioritize what’s important to us and society. Change is constant, and every challenge is an opportunity to learn and evolve. By being true to ourselves, we can create a ripple effect that contributes to a collective shift toward a more harmonious existence; cultivated through system thinking, having genuine relationships, and shared vision.
5. Still a Long Way for Development Professionals to Be Recognized as Professionals
I often encounter questions like, “Are you volunteering here?” or “Do you get paid?” When I confirm that I do, the response is usually, “How noble!” Now, I respond, “I’m here because I’m part of society, just like you. We’re all working towards its betterment.” This makes me wonder if recognizing ‘development professionals’ as professionals is still not mainstream, and perhaps it can become so through proactive conversations with different stakeholders. Nonetheless, it is imperative to understand that each one of us is part of society and is contributing towards it, one needs to act based on constitutional values and ask ourselves – what is development? On the other hand, through my experience, some interns and volunteers focus too much on getting a certificate, often seeing it as a mere requirement. Volunteering and internships should be about reflecting, learning, and contributing. My own internships ignited my passion for the social sector and shifted my career path. I’m reminded of a saying by my mentor, Suparna Diwaker ma’am, during a class before our immersive ‘Realizing India’ program at ISDM. She gently said, “Go and learn about people’s lives as a whole because it is all connected.”
‘Understanding life’ in its entirety is what each opportunity and experience truly offers.True leaders align deeply with an organization’s vision, taking initiative and acting proactively. Cultivating an open mindset, staying grounded, asking questions, reflecting, and making swift changes are the keys to a changing complex context. I’ve learned this and invaluable lessons from the Agrasar team and communities that theory alone couldn’t teach. While the quote “Remember why you started” guides me, I also remind myself, “Remember that you started,” acknowledging my own power and potential. As Prerit, Co-founder & CEO of Agrasar, says, “Be at it”—and I will, for the next five years and beyond.
Sakshi Sharma