It was 2AM when the call came. The trucks couldn’t leave. And everything rested on him.
Aditya Sharma was only two years into his first ERP role when a small integration bug blocked 27 trucks in Brazil from leaving a Timken facility. “Our Director of IT called me in the middle of the night. He said, ‘I know it’s late, but we really need your help.’”
It wasn’t just a job. It was a test of responsibility, grit—and heart. Aditya resolved the issue within hours, getting the trucks moving and earning appreciation from the company’s top brass, including a note from the CIO himself. But more than that, it was the moment he realised: his work mattered.
From Code to Context
Born with a curious mind and quiet determination, Aditya wasn’t always set on ERP. But a turning point came just six months into his career, when a seasoned manufacturing veteran walked him through the full lifecycle of an enterprise—from request for quotation to general ledger settlement.
“For the first time, I saw how a simple piece of code could power a massive machine like Timken, a company with more than a century of legacy.”
That realisation changed everything. ERP wasn’t just a system—it was impact. It was legacy. It was real.
The One That Got Away
Yet not all of Aditya’s dreams live behind a screen. “If not for IT,” he says with a quiet smile, “I would’ve become a professional snooker player.” He played seriously enough to be tournament-ready in India and still turns to the cue stick when life gets too loud.“When I’m down, my wife tells me to go shoot some pool. It’s my Zen zone. My place to reset.”
Snooker, like ERP, taught him something vital: always plan your next move.
Choosing Growth Over Titles
After just four years, Aditya was offered the opportunity to step into a Cloud Architect role—a significant milestone that validated his potential. But when he met his IBM counterpart, a seasoned expert with 18 years under his belt, Aditya had a moment of quiet reflection.“I realised how much more there was to learn. And I didn’t want to lead before I was ready.”
It wasn’t about doubt. It was about growth. So, with gratitude for the opportunities he’d had, he chose to move on—not away from responsibility, but toward expansion.
“I needed a bigger playground. I wanted to grow before I led. So I joined Accenture, and I’ve stayed ever since.”
More Than a Mentor
For Aditya, leadership isn’t about control—it’s about concept. He’s created training videos, mentored newcomers, and instilled a principle many forget in fast-paced tech: always teach the why, not just the how.
“People ask me where to start. I always say: understand the process. Don’t chase AI or tools. Chase meaning.”
He believes new tech—whether it’s AI, S/4HANA or the latest SuccessFactors update—should be treated as an enabler, not a saviour. “Don’t force a tool to be the answer. Know your problem first.”
What If ERP Disappeared?
“If ERP vanished tomorrow,” Aditya said, “I’d be heartbroken.” But true to form, he’d pivot—with grace. “I’d probably teach. Or work in sports. Or maybe start a mentorship community. Maybe even be a spiritual guru someday,” he laughs.
Because for Aditya, the goal was never just to succeed. It was to serve. Quietly. Strategically. Authentically. And isn’t that the kind of leader the world needs more of?
Connect with Aditya on LinkedIn
