Geetha Kumari Kommepalli has spent the last 22 years in the enterprise business system applications, Digital Transformation and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Integrations IT space. She started as a developer, moved into consulting, and has settled into her current role as Global Director for Brooks Automation. However, her professional evolution doesn’t end there. Now responsible for leading a diverse team of managers, analysts and developers to support their global business initiatives, Geetha realized there were new skillsets to hone.
“There’s a lot for me to learn to nurture the thought leader within me and evolve my leadership signature on emotional intelligence (EQ), which is a skill that’s required as you go up the corporate ladder. I’m aiming for a C-suite role in the next two to four years.” While it’s easy to acquire knowledge through one’s work – especially technology acumen, the “soft skills” can be trickier. She began looking for a solution to deal with uncertainties, and MIT was top of mind. The Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership was exactly what she needed to fill the knowledge gap.
“When it comes to certain skills—especially interpersonal skills—I strongly believe it’s important to go to the right place. I always say, do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. I understand I need to go beyond my work experience and network to evolve. I need to go to a reputable institution to connect and collaborate with like-minded peers across industries.”
Adding to the toolkit
One of the most impactful courses for Geetha was the first one she attended, Understanding and Solving Complex Business Problems led by MIT Sloan faculty John Sterman. When she joined the Brooks team in her current role, the CEO braced her for the transitional phase facing the organization. She would need to build her team, play some clean-up, and figure out the current business needs to get ready for the digital transformation and business process transformation.
Geetha had actually postponed her Executive Education journey in order to accommodate for a business trip to Germany and Switzerland. She understood already the value of connecting in person, especially when it came to reestablishing trust. IT and digital transformation arms of an organization often tend to be treated as low priority and Geetha knew folks were feeling neglected. She made it her mission to turn that perception around by sharing the future roadmap, addressing how they’re evolving beyond “just keeping the lights on”, and being physically available.
l to r: Geetha at MIT Sloan, Geetha with MIT Sloan faculty John Sterman and J. Bradley Morrison, class photo, selfie with John Sterman
One of the reasons she was drawn to Sterman’s course was its focus on Systems Thinking – as a way to put frameworks around rapid and complex change and be able to assess and communicate risks accurately. She especially found the causal loop diagram exercise beneficial which simplified how certain events lead to certain outcomes, and how those can have positive or negative results. The ability to understand complex problems in a systematic way provided Geetha with a better and broader mental model. Now she has the tools to incorporate a 360 analysis that could integrate all perspectives.
“People don’t like hearing ‘no’. Instead, it’s easier to suggest a different approach and demonstrate how it might have better results. You need to put the right story in place: provide the details to influence and negotiate how transformation needs to happen.”
Another advantage during Sterman’s course? “I had the opportunity to have four meals with him—breakfast and lunch, both days. Getting that kind of personal rapport and networking, which was lacking since COVID, was great. He is amazing!”
Advice for others
After years of online meetings, Geetha recommends taking at least one course in-person. “The virtual world is fine for what it is. But we’re human and we need that human touch. We need to feel each other’s presence.” Two of her courses were in-person, but the other two were live online. However, she’ll be the first to admit if she would have done them all in-person she could have. While she understands there’s a “new normal” now, she misses “the beauty of the prior normal.” Getting back in the classroom, walking around campus, collaborating with peers allowed her to recapture some of that old magic she needed in her life.
Aside from that peer-to-peer connection, Geetha felt coming to campus allows one to really focus on the matter at hand and prioritize learning. “People get too distracted online sometimes. They’re not able to fully disconnect, they might hop out of a virtual breakroom to take a quick call. In that case, you’re not getting the full takeaways and value of the course. Are you there to really learn or just get a certification?”
“It’s not just about getting MIT on your resume and building your brand. It’s all about how you see things from a different perception. We need to first be our best selves... Then you can change a culture and create a larger impact.”
She recommends doing a little soul-searching beforehand and ask yourself what your purpose for attending the course is in order to help you make the best decisions. “Read through the materials and try to determine if it’s solving your problem and providing the knowledge you’re looking for. And when you’re there, meet with people—really take time connect and collaborate!”
Geetha has added dozens of people to her network and they stay connected via LinkedIn. “Just the other day one of my classmates, a VP at Morgan Stanley, reached out to collaborate on an article together. It’s nice to see how we still help each other and continue to knowledge share.”
An investment beyond the office walls
Geetha was fortunate enough to have Brooks sponsor her educational aspirations. “They saw my potential to grow and add more value to the group. But what I’m getting out of it is not just for work. It’s personal and professional—because 24/7 you can implement the lessons learned. Whether that’s at work, with kids, with family—everyone!” For Geetha, this part of the learning journey helped hone her awareness and empathy towards others. “It helped me build better relationships, better work culture, and just be a better leader at work.”
Beyond the office, it’s even changed her approach when helping her eight-year-old son with his homework. Previously a frustrating experience (for both), now she uses some of the mental models learned in her course work in Transforming Your Leadership Strategy to understand his way of thinking and then present alternate approaches to solve a problem with minimal pushback (or tears).
“It’s not just about getting MIT on your resume and building your brand. It’s all about how you see things from a different perception. We need to first be our best selves, then you can be good to others. Then you can change a culture and create a larger impact. It has to start somewhere, so why not with you?”
Next Steps
Geetha is definitely a proactive versus reactive individual, personally and professionally. The learning journey won’t stop with the completion of her Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership. She plans to continue taking courses each year and work towards her Advanced Certificate for Executives (ACE). She’s even toying with the idea of an EMBA. “Right now, I’m trying to figure out what my most desired role within Brooks will be. I’m trying to identify what’s the best place for me so that I can properly plan around those goals and seek the courses that will help me get there.”
Learn more about earning an Executive Certificate.
Contributed by Elaine Santoyo Goldman