September 23rd, 2024 marks a significant milestone as our organization celebrates a decade of its remarkable journey. This achievement fills us with immense pride, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our learners. This journey has been made possible by the unwavering support of all our stakeholders, including our funders, implementation partners, parents, learners, and Tata STRIVE employees— “STRIVIANS.”

As we step into a new era, it is essential to reassess the strategies that have served us well, while also adapting and redefining approaches in response to the evolving landscape of CSR and skilling. As we expand—whether through increased impact, a growing number of offerings, more centers, or a larger workforce—it’s crucial that we pause to establish a shared understanding of the Tata STRIVE Culture.

During our leadership meetings, one of the most important questions we explored was whether all our employees share a common understanding of our culture. Do they know what we stand for, what matters most to us, and what actions we must take to ensure success in the future? After months of thoughtful deliberation, reviewing past survey data, engaging in discussions with employees, and reflecting deeply, the leadership team has developed The Tata STRIVE Way of Life.

This framework outlines the cultural cornerstones that we all must embrace and live by: Purpose, Respect, Innovation, Excellence, and Joy.

At the end of a decade, redefining our culture is a natural and logical progression. Over the past ten years, we’ve grown, adapted, and achieved significant milestones. As we move forward, it’s essential that our culture evolves in alignment with the changing needs of our organization, the expectations of our stakeholders, and the dynamic world around us. This cultural shift isn’t just about change for the sake of change; it’s about ensuring we are well-equipped to meet future challenges and seize new opportunities.

Redefining our culture will provide us with a strong, clear framework that will guide us through the next phase of our journey. It will serve as the compass that directs our actions, decisions, and strategies, helping us stay aligned with our core values while remaining flexible enough to innovate and grow. As we expand our impact and reach, these renewed cultural cornerstones will ensure we stay grounded in what matters most, fostering a unified sense of purpose among all employees of our organization. It goes without saying that we do this with joy.

This transformation will be a guiding force in shaping how we work together, how we engage with our communities, and how we continue to create meaningful impact. In the years to come, it will empower us to stay true to our vision & mission, while adapting to the evolving needs of the world and securing a path of sustainable success.

One of the key factors in implementing the new cultural cornerstones is ensuring a safe environment where all employees feel empowered to speak up—whether it’s to acknowledge when these cornerstones are being upheld or to candidly highlight when they are not. In addition, our leadership team has made a conscious decision to dedicate time to discuss our progress in embedding these cornerstones and address any deviations from the leadership team’s actions.

Implementing a new culture is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and though it takes time, I am confident that when we, as STRIVIANS, commit to a common goal, we will undoubtedly see it come to fruition.

Together, we will ensure that we live by and uphold The Tata STRIVE Way of Life every day!