#UnlearnToRise - Mayuri Gite

This World Inclusion Day, we bring you #UnlearnToRise, a new series continuing our conversations around unconscious bias. Through real stories from across Mahindra, we explore the assumptions we make about people and the beliefs we need to unlearn.

Sometimes, you have to leave something good to realise just how special it is.

I joined Bristlecone in 2014, and over the next 12 years, it became much more than a workplace. I grew across different areas of HR, earned four promotions and experienced the trust and support that helped me grow professionally and personally. When I became a mother, my managers supported me through the transition. During my second maternity leave, I was promoted, reinforcing my belief that my contribution mattered.

Yet, after more than a decade in one organisation, I began to wonder what lay beyond the familiar. I moved to a large multinational with a global presence, sophisticated systems and exciting possibilities. The onboarding was excellent, but within weeks, I began to miss something I hadn’t fully appreciated before: a genuine sense of belonging.

I realised that I had equated organisational size and global scale with better growth. What I had overlooked was the value of relationships, trust and people who make you feel supported, not just as an employee but as a person.

Within three months, I returned to Bristlecone. It felt less like rejoining an organisation and more like coming home. I came back with a renewed appreciation for the culture, colleagues and connections that had been part of my everyday life. I learnt that growth isn’t just about the opportunities an organisation offers. It’s also about the people who support you, recognise your contribution and make you feel that you belong.

Sometimes, stepping away is what helps you see what truly matters.

This is how I #UnlearnToRise.