About Us
Our story
The Sharpeners has been founded to help people perform at their peak and be at their best through awareness, actualization and expression of their personal identity
The rules of the game have changed–The barriers between what used to be called ‘work’ and ‘life’ have collapsed. Companies want their employees to bring their full self to work. And leaders are now expected to be empathetic and emotionally intelligent. They care less about the location employees work from or the hours and are more focused on keeping them engaged. People want to work for organisations that will give them the space to take care of their mental health.
They want to practice mindfulness without sacrificing on information overdose of social media. Diversity and inclusion is no longer an initiative but a way of working.
In other words, the human factors have become more important than ever. Ironically this is also an age where we all our interactions are mediated by technology.
Leaders are connecting with their teams on social media. People are building credibility through their blogs. Managers are leading teams through a tiny window on the screen. Strategy is conveyed through recorded videos. Collaboration happens through shared online spaces. You need to be able to perform and thrive through communication across distances and time zones, through electronic media, and often asynchronously.
why choose us
We are here for you
Through our deep expertise we help you become aware of your authentic self, comprising of your uniqueness, your purpose, what makes you tick and what keeps you engaged. And then you can develop the capability to express yourself freely. When you are ready to expand your reach beyond your known network, we can help you find your voice which is as unique as you and let it shine on the right channels.
Our ultimate vision is to help you be on the path to become all that you are meant to be by shaping your finest version.
Welcome to The Sharpeners.
Welcome to The Sharpeners.
Hi, I am Saurabh.
I founded The Sharpeners in early 2021 in response to the need for working people to have more fulfilling careers by making the most of their potential, and being able to express themselves freely and fully at the workplace and beyond. This would not only help them in their careers, but will also have a ripple effect on their overall well-being and the rest of their life.
My approach draws from my two decades of experience as a communication and branding professional in banking, pharma, IT, consumer products, business services, and non-profit sectors. Over this period I engaged with senior leaders and global audiences in at organizations ranging from Fortune 500s to startups.
Thanks for stopping by at this site. I hope to offer something of value to you through this endeavor.
Saurabh Gupta
Founder
The Sharpeners Advantage
Deep expertise: Saurabh Gupta has helped organisations achieve their business results through effectively leveraging branding, marketing, employee engagement, leadership communications, and reputation management, operating at a global scale. The principles and practices deployed by top organisations in the world are now being made available to you, tailored to suit your needs.
Research-backed: We are constantly studying peer-reviewed published research in the fields of psychology and coaching to bring proven body of knowledge to you in a digestable format.
Balanced Perspectives: Our perspective is kept fresh and future-oriented through our extensive work with young professionals and startup founders, balanced by our work with tenured leaders in PSUs and MNCs.
Transformational Learning: One-on-one coaching based on the principles of ontology and semantics will help internalise the lessons learnt and transform you from the roots.
Consulting: We work with you to strategize, plan, schedule, and analyze your communication and optimize it to meet your goals.
Examples of goals clients have worked on
Career
Should I move from a corporate job to a career in startups
Am I ready to start my own company, and how to get started
Leadership
Transitioning from individual contributor to a people manager
Getting noticed by my seniors and be in the running for a promotion
Performance
Getting better at getting things done
How do control my tendency to overthink and begin to act promptly
Communication
Preparing for a salary negotiation, performance appraisal or other crucial conversations
Giving a public speech or an important presentation
Expressing your personal brand
Re-calibrating your resume for a desired change in career direction
Creating content for social media
Well-being
I am so overwhelmed I cannot act or think clearly
How to get consistent with my habits like exercising or reading regularly
Life Purpose
Creating a vision statement for myself
Developing a framework for living effectively
We serve individuals seeking
- To make their current career more fulfilling and rewarding
- The next higher level in their career path
- A lateral move in their existing career zone
- A change of career path
- Transitioning between employment and self-employment
- To leave a legacy and have a greater impact beyond their work
- To plan their exit and create a succession plan