Personal Development Mentor, Parenting Coach, Career Counselor, Ethical Guide
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- Nov 11, 2024
Why I want to become a leadership and parenting coach?
Now this is an interesting question. I always had an inclination to teach since my school and college days. In fact I was doing a Bachelor of Education (B Ed) course before I joined Indian Military Academy in January 1982. After the army service I sat at home for nearly three years due to the two years break mandated by the Military Secretary’s Branch for taking up any job as also my involvement in setting up the permanent residence and of course the lockdown following Covid was also a factor in this work holiday. Afterwards I was called upon to serve in two corporate entities and there was no respite due to the pressures of the job and also because it was also a new field with a lots of unfamiliar challenges and workplace dynamics so different from the Army. After an experiment of nearly two and half years I resigned from all the corporate responsibilities and thereafter got into coaching certification for parenting and career counselling. Looking back on my time during school, college, and even during service one thing is consistent that I was involved in counselling over the years and have interacted with thousands of colleagues, friends, and subordinates. It has been my experience that while advancing in age one gets a chance to attend to the personal issues of many family members.
All of it makes me think that I am a natural.
There are a couple of other reasons which forced me to decide to become a coach and counsellor. Firstly I am convinced that a lot many people are suffering from mediocrity and are not able to achieve their full potential because of not having been guided properly. This tribe includes the adults of today who are likely to be existing parents of various age group children. Mostly the problems they face are related to their own upbringing and in turn they repeat the mistakes of their parents and spoil the present as well as future of their own children. Hence parent coaching is something I consider necessity for everyone and hence I chose developing this line of work especially focusing on parents of teenagers.
And secondly talking about the adults, lack of personal development & proper grooming, poor communication skills and not up to the mark social graces act as restraining factors on young professionals and budding entrepreneurs. I have groomed raw recruits, fresh from college cadets and young officers and have seen firsthand the changes that happen. Following their careers in last 40 years has confirmed my belief that as our trophies the human beings also need polish to become successful professionals and good leaders.
Coming back to teenagers – they are highly confused lot as it is due to harmonal changes, academic pressures and uncertain future. Faced with the challenges of career selection, in the company of equally, and if not more, confused parents they often get bogged down. There are presently more than 500 career options available and it is very important to know which can be the best fit for the child’s ability, interest and intelligence type. I have also realised that most satisfied and happiest adults are those who really enjoy the work they do. Therefore to be able to ensure that the children of today are able to become those adults, it is of utmost importance that they are guided towards the career paths most suitable and natural for their mental & psychological built. Hence there is a need which can be met by capable, competent and serious career coaches who can guide the decision-making of the students and their families at this crucial juncture in their lives.
Fourthly I have no doubt that this line of work will enable me to satisfy the deep urge within to serve the society. Sincere efforts being genuine will fulfill this crucial need of the society.
Last but not the least going through these trainings, analysing my own journey and extensive reading on the subjects have opened my eyes about my own mistakes as a parent.
I am highly enthusiastic to share the secrets, make them an indelible part of my students’ psych, and help them be the greatest they ever can be!
Major General Balraj Mehta
For over 35 years I served in the esteemed Indian Army, starting with one star on the shoulder to two stars on the flag. Leading infantry forces and commanding thousands of soldiers honed my leadership skills and instilled in me a deep understanding of human nature. This experience allows me to connect with individuals on a profound level, offering practical solutions for navigating complex career and parenting challenges.
My passion extends beyond the uniform into advising clients for a happy family life, grooming teenagers & young adults and development assistance to professionals. I am a firm believer in the power of knowledge sharing and personal growth. As a paratrooper I embraced challenges head-on, defying limitations and soaring to new heights. Now, I translate that same spirit into my work as a Coach, Mentor, Writer Speaker and Influencer.
Since transitioning from the military, I have embarked on a captivating journey of engaging audiences with my insights on leadership, human relations, and the ever-evolving nature of parent child relationship. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on empowering young adults and spreading awareness about need for compassionate parenting, offering valuable perspectives honed through first hand, personal and real-world experience.
I hold dear my commitment to knowledge sharing, teaching, guiding and mentoring the budding entrepreneurs, young professionals and parents of teenagers. By equipping future leaders with the tools they need to excel, I aim to empower them to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing world. It's incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and know that I am helping to shape the next generation of charismatic leaders.
In 1983 I embarked on a distinguished career in the Indian Army, having been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The unwavering loyalty and dedication I held for my Nation and my Service became the cornerstone of faith during my professional journey. Each year honed my character, sharpened my skills, and fortified my resolve in service of a greater mission which I took upon as my very own!
Olive Green blood runs in my veins!
My operational journey in infantry culminated in commanding an infantry brigade in a highly sensitive operational area. This exceptionally successful tenure earned me the coveted Sena Medal for distinguished service in 2013. Throughout my career, I endeavour to forge excellent civil-military relations and oversaw crucial operations, including the rebuilding of military establishments devastated by Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
After 35 years of dedicated service, my career peaked as the General Officer Commanding the Sub Area of Uttarakhand and later the 41 Sub Area. On 31 August 2018, I superannuated from the Indian army, receiving a dignified farewell by the then Chief of the Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat.
My experiences have equipped me to guide individuals through the journey called life, helping people overcome their uncertainties and embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
My mission is to empower individuals to live a meaningful life and pursue fulfilling careers. I leverage my expertise in handling human resources, teaching, coaching and personal experiences in leading large organisations to provide guidance and support to parents to deal with their parenting woes, especially with respect to teenagers. I am dedicated to helping parents to overcome anxieties, discover their children’s passions and guide them to successful career choices. My goal is to see them gain clarity, build confidence, and find joy in their life and work.
I am committed to guiding entrepreneurs and young professionals to acquire necessary skills, develop their latent leadership qualities, get over anxiety for performance and forge a stronger personal and professional standing. I consider enhancing their efficiency by reorganisation, reorientation and reaffirmation as my specialty.
I envision a world where parents are empowered to let their children get aligned with their passions, values and talents and feel supported and encouraged to make wise career choices. I strive to be a catalyst for this change, providing the guidance and knowledge necessary for parents to build strong children, for teenagers to grow into strong, stable and compassionate adults and young professionals to achieve greater personal and professional fulfilment.
- Maj Gen Balraj Mehta
