Real talk— I’ve written this piece twice, and each time it felt like I was just skimming the surface—comfortable, boring, blah blah. If we’re going to ask our clients to be vulnerable, brave, and dig deep, then we sure as hell need to show up the same way. So, let me peel it back and dive into where this journey really started.
For me, it all began over 25 years ago, when I was a 15-year-old soul-searching for purpose. I had a vivid vision—floating high above the earth, realizing how small we are in this vast universe. It was humbling, and I thought, if we’re here for such a short time, there must be a reason for it. That’s when my search for purpose—my dharma—was set into motion.
Fast forward a few decades, and like many of us, I got caught up in the daily grind. You know the feeling—living life on autopilot, navigating paths we didn’t consciously choose until something stops us in our tracks.
For me, that moment came when I moved to Malaysia, jobless and in the throes of an identity crisis. My career, my self-worth, and my purpose were all thrown into question. It was a wake-up call that forced me to find my way back to myself.
The path to self-awareness? Not easy.
It’s messy, uncomfortable, and demands you face your fears and your ego head-on. But it’s necessary if you want to live your truth.
Along that journey, I found karmadharma—almost by chance. I had a wild idea that my skills in project management, leadership, and operational change might transfer to a marketing agency. The irony? I had no marketing experience. But something about karmadharma’s values and ethos pulled me in.
Peter (our CEO) and Annik (our COO) felt it too. It wasn’t just a business; it was a space where we could build a company grounded in purpose, mindset, and helping people grow into their fullest selves. This shared belief, that individual change fuels collective transformation, was foundational for us both.
At first, we were focused on helping organizations through traditional strategy and marketing services—branding, growth plans, and communications. But as we dove deeper into this work, something became clear: the real challenges weren’t strategic; they were human.
We were seeing the same issues over and over again—fractured team dynamics, communication breakdowns, and lack of trust, deeply embedded in the culture of our clients’ organizations. No amount of brilliant marketing or strategy could solve these issues because they weren’t external problems. The work needed to be done on the inside.
It wasn’t just our clients’ organizations that were dealing with these challenges—we were going through the same transformation at karmadharma. Peter and I had been immersed in personal development for years, diving into self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and leadership. We began applying these lessons to our own company—building a culture that celebrated vulnerability, courage, and empathy.
And the results?
People started showing up differently. They were more engaged, more collaborative, more themselves. It wasn’t just an internal change; it was the spark of something bigger.
If we could create this kind of workplace here, why couldn’t we help our clients do the same?
That’s how karmadharma’s People & Culture Services division was born. We realized that for organizations to succeed, they need more than just external strategies—they need to address the core of their culture.
It’s not about fixing surface-level problems. It’s about building environments where people can show up as their true selves. Where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work.
One of the key lessons we’ve learned?
Organizational change doesn’t happen without individual change. And that’s why we take a coaching-first approach. Leaders who embrace coaching don’t just manage—they empower. They help their teams grow, think critically, and take ownership. They create space for collaboration and growth, not just control.
When a culture like this takes hold, everything shifts. Trust is rebuilt. Communication improves. People no longer feel like cogs in a machine—they feel like vital contributors who are supported to bring their best selves to work every day.
And that kind of environment doesn’t just fix problems; it transforms organizations from the inside out.
Looking ahead, I’m incredibly proud of the journey we’re on. We’re not just helping organizations with strategy and systems; we’re helping them build workplaces where people thrive. It’s personal. It’s human. And it’s deeply connected to the mission that has been at the heart of karmadharma since the beginning.
So, if you’re ready to step into this journey of transformation—both for yourself and your organization—let’s do it together. Let’s move mountains. Let’s live consciously and on purpose.
