Curiosity Builds Better Careers: Non-Linear Paths with Tarun Kohli

<p>What if the best career move you can make is choosing curiosity over the script everyone expects you to follow? For Tarun Kohli, stepping away from traditional and trendy paths opened doors he never could have predicted — IBM, consulting, ESG strategy, and a career built on learning, contribution, and long‑term purpose.</p><p><br /></p><p>Tarun shares how uncertainty, exploration, and self‑awareness shaped his early career. From support roles at IBM to radical innovation consulting to investing in an ESG program long before it paid off, his journey shows why non‑linear careers often lead to the most meaningful growth.</p><p><br /></p><p>He opens up about:</p><p>• Navigating away from traditional and trendy Indian career expectations</p><p>• Why curiosity — not titles — shaped his early years at IBM</p><p>• How adding more value than expected leads to promotion</p><p>• Leaving IBM to pursue innovation consulting</p><p>• Why setbacks often reveal their meaning years later</p><p>• The importance of mentorship and self‑awareness</p><p>• Investing in an ESG program long before it paid off</p><p>• Remembering that we’re living our lives while building our careers</p><p>• Why your career doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s</p><p><br /></p><p>Episode Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Tarun Kohli and His Background</p><p>04:41 Navigating Away from Traditional and Trendy Career Paths</p><p>09:04 Following Curiosity Early in Your Career</p><p>11:33 Starting at IBM Support and Learning Through Opportunity</p><p>16:57 Driven by Curiosity and Problem‑Solving, Not Ladder‑Climbing</p><p>22:34 How to Get Promoted: Add More Value Than Expected</p><p>26:21 Leaving IBM for Radical Innovation Consulting</p><p>30:47 Setbacks Often Reveal Their Meaning Later</p><p>37:34 Mark Reflects on Wisdom He Wasn’t Ready to Receive</p><p>41:24 Hiring Reflections: When a Resume Looks Unstable</p><p>43:03 Tarun’s Experience Hiring Someone with a Non‑Linear Path</p><p>45:22 Investing in an Expensive ESG Course Without Knowing the Payoff</p><p>47:52 That Investment Paid Off Three Years Later</p><p>51:21 Don’t Forget We’re Living Our Lives While Building Careers</p><p>55:00 Tarun’s Advice: Embrace How Your Career Is Different</p><p>58:05 Careers Will Work Themselves Out Over Time</p><p>59:16 Closing Remarks</p><p><br /></p><p>Discovery Optimization</p><p>This episode explores curiosity‑driven careers, non‑linear growth, early‑career exploration, IBM pathways, innovation consulting, ESG strategy, and the value of learning over ladder‑climbing. Ideal for listeners navigating uncertainty, career detours, or the pressure to follow traditional scripts.</p>