Leadership isn’t always about giving orders or hitting targets. Sometimes, it’s about showing up with patience, empathy, and understanding, just like a parent.
From School Captain to SAP Architect
Saurabh’s journey began on a school sports field, where he first learned that leadership isn’t about individual brilliance — it’s about bringing people together toward a shared goal. That lesson has stayed with him for nearly two decades in SAP, shaping not only his career but also how he approaches life.
A Career Pivot Guided by Reflection
After years as an ABAP developer, awards and recognition came — but joy didn’t. “I realised I was no longer showing up with the passion I once had — that same excitement I used to feel before a game. Something had to change.”
A conversation with his wife reminded him of his teenage years on construction sites, managing inventory, trucks, and labor — hands-on experience he could combine with his software knowledge. That reflection sparked a bold pivot: a Master’s in Supply Chain Management and a shift to functional SAP consulting.
Empathy in Leadership
Saurabh discovered that his dual perspective — technical and functional — allowed him to act as a bridge between teams. The patience learned from parenting has translated directly into leadership, helping him balance authority with care, guiding his teams not just toward outcomes, but toward growth and confidence.
Leading Like a Parent
For Saurabh Goel, that approach defines both his life at work and at home. That philosophy, born from parenting, shapes how he guides his teams through challenges — with care, patience, and the quiet confidence that authority doesn’t have to be harsh to be effective.
“Every team member in my team is my kid. I let them cry, listen to them patiently, and level with them in a way they would understand.”
The Joy Beyond Work
Away from the screen, Saurabh finds grounding in long solo walks, cooking with his wife, and cheering on his children from the sidelines of their cricket matches. “When my son and daughter say, ‘Papa, this is amazing,’ that’s my kind of Michelin star,” he says.
For him, fulfillment isn’t in awards or milestones — it’s in presence, reflection, and connection.
Always Growing, Always Learning
Even with 18 years in SAP, Saurabh’s curiosity remains insatiable.
“The desire to be a little better than I was yesterday — that’s what drives me when no one’s watching. If ERP disappeared tomorrow, I would pick up something related to AI. I believe AI is going to revolutionise human efficiencies and growth.”
Saurabh’s story reminds us that great leadership is a constant balancing act — between ambition and empathy, work and family, skill and purpose. And sometimes, the secret to becoming the leader we’re meant to be lies in remembering how to lead like a parent.
Connect with Saurabh on LinkedIn
