158: The Politics of Comfort Zones - Tel K. Ganesan

Tel K. Ganesan is a self-made serial entrepreneur, engaging public speaker, philanthropist, mentor, film producer, and world traveller with a globally recognized reputation across multiple industries. He currently serves as Founder/CEO of multiple thriving enterprises, including Kyyba, Inc. - a Michigan-headquartered global IT company with over 700 employees and millions in annual revenue - Kyyba Films, Kyyba Wellness, Kyyba Innovations, Kyyba Fashions, and Kyyba Music. Infectious enthusiasm and courageous determination power his drive to do what others are afraid to do as he blazes a trail for the next generation of entrepreneurs with a simple secret to success: do what makes you happy.

Ganesan earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Wayne State University before getting his start at the Chrysler Corporation. Over 13 years, he earned multiple awards and promotions in manufacturing and product development. The desire to make a bigger impact and build something of his own then took Ganesan in the direction of entrepreneurship with the establishment of Kyyba, Inc.

Ganesan is fuelled by a belief that entrepreneurs make the world a better place for everyone, founding TiECon Detroit - the largest entrepreneurial conference in Michigan. Today, TiE boasts over 56 chapters in at least 13 countries, with a specific focus on supporting women in male-dominated industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and financial services. Additionally, the Kyyba Kidz Foundation uplifts underprivileged women and orphans, providing vital education, skills, and on-the-job training opportunities.

Over a 30-year career, Ganesan’s ground-breaking work has earned him consistent national recognition, including: Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year finalist (2012, 2013, 2014) and a place among D Business Magazine’s “Detroit 500” most powerful business leaders.

On any given weekday morning, Ganesan can be found in deep meditation and yoga poses before heading into his business ventures. He actively “levels up his comfort zone” with tennis, kayaking, and traveling to new places. After everything he has worked hard to achieve, Ganesan is still convinced that his biggest potential is yet to be realized, and he works hard daily to push the limits of what’s possible synonymous with the tagline of Kyyba, make impossible, possible.

We discuss:

1. The term ‘comfort zone’ is firmly embedded in our everyday cultural discourse – say the metaphor of ‘leaving one’s comfort zone’ became popular in the 1990s, coined by management thinker Judith Bardwick in her 1991 work Danger in the Comfort Zone: How do you define a comfort zone and surely it varies depending on your risk appetite? Please explain your view and why.
2. Within the comfort zone, there isn’t much incentive for people to reach new heights of performance. It’s here that people go about routines devoid of risk, causing their progress to plateau. Is that always a bad thing?

3. Can you enhance your own sense of comfort zones and how do you push that beyond your basic level of comfort?
4. How can we make the impossible seem possible and still remain balanced in how we live our lives and not say burnout?
5. Take away: What is your final takeaway message for us on The Politics of Comfort Zones?

 

Connect via @TelKGanesan

www.TelKGanesan.com
www.Kyyba.com

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