“Leaders earn trust by putting others ahead.”
That’s what Sharad Narayan says when asked about leadership, and it’s not just a metaphor. It’s a way of living, of giving, of being the kind of person who quietly carries weight so others can breathe easier. Behind the quiet strength of this developer-turned-consultant lies a life defined not by code, but by love, resilience, and the courage to choose family over ambition.
Running Toward Calm
On the surface, Sharad is like many ERP professionals: deep in complex systems, juggling client expectations, quietly solving high-stakes problems. But what most won’t see on his LinkedIn profile are the early morning runs, the quiet moments in nature, or the way his children’s laughter melts away the stress of a hard day.
“When I run,” he shares, “it’s never just about fitness. It’s my time to reflect, to process, to clear my mind. That’s how I recharge.”
Then, with a quiet laugh, he adds, “Though I’ll admit, I’m not exactly at my fittest right now… but I’m working on it.”
It’s a theme that repeats itself throughout Sharad’s life. The work in progress, the imperfect yet deeply committed human beneath the surface.
An Unexpected Detour
Sharad always thought he knew where life would take him. Like many chasing big dreams, he had his sights set on the United States. Most of his extended family was already there, and he had carefully paved the way for his move to the US. But then, in a twist worthy of a Netflix series, he met his now-wife in Malaysia whilst on a work assignment.
“She said America felt too distant… but Australia felt close enough for us to have a real chance.”
So, he stayed. It wasn’t the plan, but it felt right.
Looking back, Sharad says quietly, “Everything I have now started with that choice. She’s the reason I’m here.”
The Invisible Weight of Expectation
Sharad is no stranger to self-doubt. When he moved to Australia, the role he stepped into felt far bigger than him. He wrestled with imposter syndrome, questioning every day if he truly belonged.
“As consultants, we’re expected to bring confidence and clarity… but what do you do when a task feels out of your depth? You show up anyway. You try. You give it your best, even when it scares you.”
He speaks candidly about the quiet pressure of running a small consulting business, where every interaction matters.
“You can do good work for months, but sometimes it takes just one misstep to shake people’s trust. That’s the hard part — knowing how fragile a reputation can be.”
It’s a quiet burden many carry but rarely speak of: the daily mental grind, the perfectionism, and the fear that one wrong move could undo everything.
Showing Up Is the Hardest Part
Sharad doesn’t claim to have all the answers. “I still have a long way to go,” he admits candidly.
“But I make it a point to show up. When someone’s struggling, I sit beside them rather than above them. I’d rather offer practical help over delivering a pep talk.”
He believes leadership is about action, not just words — leading by example and helping others because it’s the right thing to do, not because it’s expected.
When he speaks about building a community of practice, it’s not about advancing careers or gaining visibility. It’s about creating a space where people can genuinely connect — a place to simply be themselves and say, ‘I’m going through this too.’
More Than a Developer
If Sharad’s life were a series, he jokes, it might be called The Long Run — a light-hearted nod to the unexpected journey that led him here.
But beneath the humour is a deeper story: a man who has built his life not through titles or recognition, but through persistence, tenacity, and a quiet faith that things will work out — even when the path isn’t clear.
“Everything doesn’t show up on your resume,” he says softly. “Not the daily grind. Not the mental weight. But I carry it. And I keep going.”
In His Words
“The mind remembers what it knows — but the heart dares to imagine what’s possible. And in that, I found my way. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Connect with Sharad on LinkedIn
