Episode 32: Conflict
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Looking Outside is for curious people looking for a fresh take on familiar topics, in business and beyond.
Does conflict and incompatible perspectives always have to be a negative? In this episode of Looking Outside we speak with Raj B. Shroff, Founder & Principal at PINE, a strategy and design agency to hear how he and his company leverages conflict to get to a better outcome.
Raj shares how his workplace thrives on openness, when ideas are great or when things aren’t working, and how he creates the space for everyone part of the company to feel comfortable with that. It’s empathetic to be honest, Raj says, because head nodding doesn’t get the best out of people nor the work.
As the leader of his organization, Raj tries to lead by example, often admitting when he doesn’t have an answer or asking for clarity. Just as importantly, he intentionally pays attention to his body language making sure it’s neutral or positive, being mindful of never showing negative.
Jo and Raj discuss how conflict exists for a reason because something in the context isn’t right, and though it sometimes feels like it, it isn't personal.
To look outside, Raj lives by the principle of letting new experience in and allowing them to shape new world views. He does this through exposure to things outside his norm, particularly while traveling. It's not something he goes and does but rather is something he lives by.
Raj B. Shroff founded PINE in 2017. The core philosophy of PINE is the power of integrated left and right brain thinking.
Prior to founding Pine, Raj was VP of Brand, Strategy & Design at a global experience design firm. During his tenure there he led many turnkey research, strategy and omnichannel design initiatives. He loves technology and consults clients on topics such as blockchain, crypto, XR (AR/VR) and other more far out concepts. He has run many large-scale initiatives, having served in account leadership roles at Fitch (WPP), in the areas of Research, Retail, Brand and Product Design and at Resource (now IBM iX), in Digital Experience & Marketing.
Clients he has served include Intel, P&G, Mars Wrigley and Unilever.
Raj is an industry speaker on topics such as the future of retail, branding, digital engagement and consumer behavior.
He is Adjunct Faculty at CCAD (Columbus College of Art and Design) teaching the business of design. He is a mentor to students at the Ohio State Fisher College of Business, where he earned his MBA.
He loves spending his free time with his wife and two sons. He is an avid trail runner (ran his first 50-miler in April 2022), mountain biker, adventure traveler and recently picked up acoustic guitar.
Find out more about PINE: pinesd.com
Connect with Raj on LinkedIn.
