In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Neil Sharma, co-founder of SolarKal, to explore his fascinating career journey. Neil's story is one of bold transitions—from crunching numbers at Bank of America to rocking out at MTV, and finally making an impact in clean tech. His path proves that pursuing diverse interests can lead to a truly fulfilling career.

They dive into listener questions on making career pivots, including transitioning from finance to event planning, navigating an unexpected job offer at a startup, and managing the awkward situation of working with a former online date.

This episode unpacks the weird and wonderful aspects of workplace dynamics—showing that adaptability and a positive attitude can help you thrive through unexpected challenges.

Key Takeaways

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  Finding joy, purpose, and fulfillment in your work is essential for long-term happiness.

  
  


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  Pursue your passion thoughtfully: start small, build on your existing skills, and carefully consider financial realities before making significant changes.

  
  


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  Leverage your professional value to negotiate a role that aligns with your personal goals, transforming potential challenges into career opportunities.

  
  


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  Adopt a mature and professional attitude, maintaining a courteous and respectful demeanor in the workplace.

  
  

In This Episode:

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  [00:00 ] Introduction to Neil Sharma

  
  


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  [02:33 ] Navigating Career Changes

  
  


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  [08:12 ] Finding Fulfillment in Solar

  
  


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  [12:21 ] Lessons from Early Career Mistakes

  
  


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  [15:31 ] Weirdest Workplace Moments

  
  


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  [24:52 ] Week in Work: Tesla Protests and Corporate Responsibility

  
  


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  [32:59 ] Listener Question #1: Balancing Passion and Financial Stability

  
  


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  [37:33 ] Listener Question #2: Navigating Career Transitions

  
  


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  [43:09 ] Workplace Weirdness: When Your Ex Becomes Your Boss

  
  


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  [46:01 ] Conclusion and Farewell

  
  

Notable Quotes

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  [00:09:34 ] “  At the end of the day, every second of what I do is meaningful.” — Neil 

  
  

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  [00:11:36 ] " In my 20’s, I was a banker chasing money. In my 30’s, I was chasing fun. When I crossed into the 40+’s, I’m proud of myself, I was chasing meaning. We all have these life chapters and different stages." — Neil

  
  

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  [00:38:48 ] "You're going to change, and so your career is probably going to have to change with you." — Neil

  
  

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  [00:23:54 ] “  If you're doing what you love, the good stuff happens.” — Neil

  
  

Resources and Links

Neil Sharma

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  SolarKal Website - https://www.solarkal.com/

  
  


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  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-sharma-045117

  
  

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

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  Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

  
  


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  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/

  
  

Workplace Weirdness

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  Email - info@workplace-weirdness.com

  
  


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  SpeakPipe http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

  
  


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  Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

  
  


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  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/

  
  

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.