Episode 585- Ritu Singh

Welcome to episode 5 85 of what’s your ‘And’. This is John Garrett, and each Wednesday I interview a professional who, just like me, is known for a hobby or a passion or an interest outside of work. And to put it another way, it’s encouraging people to find their and Those things above and beyond your technical skills are things that actually differentiates you at work. It’s the answer to the question of who else are you besides the job title. if you like what the show is about, be sure to check out the award winning book. It’s on Amazon, indigo, Barnes and Noble bookshop, a few other websites. All the links are at what’s your and dot com. The book goes more in-depth with the research behind why these outsider work passions are so crucially your corporate culture, and I can’t say how much it means that everyone’s reading it and writing such great views on Amazon and more importantly, changing the cultures where they work because of it. And if you want me to read it to you, that’s right. This voice reading the book, look for what’s your end on audible or wherever you get your audio books. And please don’t forget to hit subscribe to the podcast. You don’t miss any of the future episodes. I love sharing such interesting stories each and every week. and this week is no different with my guest, Ritu Singh. She’s the MarTech and marketing operations leader out of PWC’s San Francisco office And now she’s with me here today. Ritu, thanks so much for taking time to be with me on what’s your end.

Ritu Singh:

Thanks, John, for having me.

John Garrett:

Yes. This is gonna be so much fun. And I I have some rapid fire questions that I like to ask people just out of the gate, get to know Ritu on a new level here. So maybe an easy one. Do you have a favorite color?

Ritu Singh:

Orange.

John Garrett:

Orange. Nice. Okay. That’s not very common. I like it. Okay. Alright. How about a least favorite color?

Ritu Singh:

I don’t think I have any of his favorites.

John Garrett:

Okay. Just in case they’re listening, we don’t wanna get them angry. I get it. I get it. No. That’s fair. That’s fair. As a marketing person, it’s unfair for me to to ask that question, really.

Ritu Singh:

Thank you. — one, regardless. Like, I would say maybe Brown.

John Garrett:

Okay. Alright. Yeah. If you had to. Alright. Alright. How about are you more sunrise or sunset?

Ritu Singh:

Sunrise. Definitely.

John Garrett:

Okay. Alright. Alright. Do you have a favorite Disney character?

Ritu Singh:

Minnie Mouse.

John Garrett:

Yeah. Classic. Alright. That’s good. That’s good. More Star Wars or Star Trek?

Ritu Singh:

Actually, neither I’m not into these movies.

John Garrett:

Okay. Fair. Totally fair. Absolutely. No. That totally works. Oh, yeah. This one, you have to answer for sure. Your computer, more of a PC or a Mac?

Ritu Singh:

Mac. And it is

John Garrett:

Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Alright. How about pens or pencils?

Ritu Singh:

I would say pencils are the pens that had the needle or the point

John Garrett:

Oh, yeah.

Ritu Singh:

They make my handwriting really bad.

John Garrett:

Oh, that’s great. That’s awesome. That’s so funny. because we don’t use them as much anymore, I guess. I love ice cream. So when you get ice cream in a cup or in a cone. Cup. Cup. Yeah. I feel like you get more. I don’t know why.

Ritu Singh:

I would not want additional calories from a cone. But it is nice to them. That is already a whole lot of calories.

John Garrett:

Right. Okay. Alright. There we go. That’s that’s as honest as it gets right there. Do you have a favorite day of the week?

Ritu Singh:

Friday, Friday.

John Garrett:

Friday, Friday, Friday. Here we go. Alright. How about, puzzles, sudoku Crossword? jigsaw puzzle, Wordle, I guess, is the new one?

Ritu Singh:

I would say.

John Garrett:

Sudoku. Yeah. Alright. Alright. That works. Do you have a favorite actor or an actress?

Ritu Singh:

Yes. Since I’m from Indian origin, I have a lot of Indian actors and some non Indian as well. I think, like, in Hollywood, I would say in actors.

John Garrett:

I would say. Oh, okay. Alright. Yeah.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. I’m on top of my head right now, but in Indian, Amita Bhatchan is people who know him either me.

John Garrett:

Very cool. Alright. Yeah. No. That’s that’s fantastic. This is an important one toilet paper roll over or under.

Ritu Singh:

Over. Over. Like, the non handler.

John Garrett:

Do you flip it around when you’re, like, visiting people?

Ritu Singh:

I don’t, like, yeah, visit their bathroom’s often if I’m visiting them, but if I do, I kind of, like, deal with it, but at my home, it has to be.

John Garrett:

Right. Okay. Alright. There we go. do you prefer more hot or cold?

Ritu Singh:

I would say in between if I can — Yeah.

John Garrett:

Yeah. Yeah. I’ll let I’ll let you have

Ritu Singh:

it. So

Ritu Singh:

—

John Garrett:

Oh, yeah. Food or yeah. No. Absolutely. Tea. Like, yeah. No. I I I

Ritu Singh:

get — Tea hot hot food, hot tea.

John Garrett:

Yeah.

Ritu Singh:

between weather. So if it’s I cannot, like, handle too much particles. Is that the weather part of the, in between?

John Garrett:

Yeah. Yeah. No. That that we’re We got 4 more. Do you have a favorite number?

Ritu Singh:

Fourteen.

John Garrett:

Fourteen. Is there a reason?

Ritu Singh:

My birthday?

John Garrett:

Oh, well, there we go. That’s that’s enough. Like, that’s enough. That works. When it comes to books, do you like the audio version ebook or a real book?

Ritu Singh:

I would say real book. I like to touch see and read through it.

John Garrett:

Yeah. No. I’m the same. I’m the same. Absolutely. How about favorite place you’ve been on vacation?

Ritu Singh:

I have to give it to Peru.

John Garrett:

Oh, very cool. Alright. Did you do the whole Machu Picchu trailer and all

Ritu Singh:

that? Of course, the Machu Picchu on the last day. I didn’t do the most famous incur trail. I did an alternative trail, but I ended up on to be to the 5th day, and it was my birthday. And

Ritu Singh:

—

Ritu Singh:

Oh. — I had done it accordingly. So, yeah, it was amazing.

John Garrett:

That’s very cool. Alright. And the last one, the favorite thing you have or the favorite thing you own?

Ritu Singh:

Favorite thing I own. I have to say my home.

John Garrett:

Oh, I know.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. In the big

Ritu Singh:

—

John Garrett:

No. That’s that’s awesome. Very cool. Well, let’s talk dance. And how’d you get started? Was it from you when you were little?

Ritu Singh:

I started very little. I remember the first performance I did was I think I was in 1st grade.

John Garrett:

Okay.

Ritu Singh:

And I I remember everything. Almost everything about it. I remember the costume I wore. I remember the song. I I danced on So, yeah, so I have to say from my 1st grade, I think I was, like, maybe six six years old. Okay.

John Garrett:

Yeah. And is it something that was, like, part of school, or was it like an extra outside of school thing?

Ritu Singh:

It was part of my school. We used to perform. We used to have some extra curricular activities. So, yes, I performed in my school function.

John Garrett:

Yeah. No. That’s that’s fantastic. And then you just kept going because, obviously, you’re still dancing now. So is it Is it something that you’ve stayed with consistently since then?

Ritu Singh:

I actually did not stay consistently with it. I stopped dancing when I finished my bachelor’s and I moved to the US for a very long time. I think that was the longest in my life that I I didn’t dance. I didn’t dance for almost, like, 7, 8 years.

John Garrett:

Oh, wow.

Ritu Singh:

I I thought, you know, like, when you are married and you are working, then the dancing is done. all because I got back into it, you know, after 7 years, but, yes, it was not consistent from way back dancing again.

John Garrett:

Yeah. because I was gonna say, like, that’s very common, you know, where people life happens. You know, you get married. You start working. You know, maybe there’s families, other stuff like that. And And it’s like, you know, for some reason, the the one thing that lights us up the most is the first thing that we shut down and put on the shelf And and, you know, and it’s it’s amazing. And it and so it’s so cool to hear that you got back. What what brought you back to dance?

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. I think just getting in touch with it. So I saw a show, and I absolutely love the dancing and the music. And I didn’t realize that what I had missed because I wasn’t watching these shows. So I watched one of the dance shows, and I was like, you know what? I’m learning this type of dance. I’m getting back into dancing, and then there was no stopping after that.

John Garrett:

That’s so great. And so, like, what’s the difference between Ritu not dancing and then now Ritu dancing again. Do you feel like there’s a difference, especially at work?

Ritu Singh:

A lot of difference at work it really keeps my work life balance correct. So I have something to look forward after an amazing day at work. I have, you know, classes that I teach, items, and I I teach this dance fitness. So a lot of things to look forward to in my evening time. And, of course, like, you get in, you know, you keep in shape. You are when when you’re dancing, you are keeping your body moving. So it really keeps me healthy and also happy.

John Garrett:

No. Which is, I mean, that’s the best, you know, and like sometimes work keeps us happy, but sometimes not. But dance all the time, every time. like, is happy, like, every single time. So that’s so cool to hear that you were able to get back into it, you know, and that you’re thriving so much. with that. That’s really cool. Do you have a performance that you’ve done ever in your life? That’s some of your favorites besides the the one when you were 6? Oh,

Ritu Singh:

I have to give it to my, the all hands performance that I opened the, you know, our all hands with in December of

Ritu Singh:

2022.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. Amazing experience. I had never thought that I would be doing it for my my form. EWC. Yeah. I would was one of my most favorite performances ever.

John Garrett:

That’s so cool. And and then a lot of coworkers got to see that and people that you’ve never even met. I mean, PWC is huge. I started with them out of out of school myself. So that’s pretty awesome.

Ritu Singh:

My LinkedIn invitation definitely rammed out.

John Garrett:

You’re you’re still digging out of it. I’m sure there’s a but but was there ever a part of you that was like, oh, I shouldn’t share the dancing side of Ritu at work because it has nothing to do with my job?

Ritu Singh:

Actually, never because all my colleagues and my managers they were actually very supportive. In fact, my my previous manager, she when she came to know that this is my hobby and my passion, she asked me to teach classes at our, events, like our, you know, team events. And she used to, put aside, like, 20 minutes for my, my dance and teach that used to be like, a fun activity for our team. So I always got support from IT members. So everyone knew that I’m a dancer as far as my hobby goes, and they me all the while. Yeah.

John Garrett:

Oh, that’s so cool. Like, I mean, I accidentally got out that I did comedy and, you know, I had someone remember me from my first PwC office 12 years after I had left that office. And it was someone I never worked with. I never met. I didn’t even know what he looked like. Anything. And, you know, he said, oh, I know John Garrett. That’s a guy to comedy at night. And it’s like, that’s the part people remember. You know, they’re they’re gonna remember the dancing side of you. Of course, the works out of you is great, but what makes you unique and different, you know, is the dance.

Ritu Singh:

Yep. Definitely.

John Garrett:

Yeah. And and how important do you think it is that that people share these these aunts, you know, these these hobbies and passions outside of work.

Ritu Singh:

I think if they definitely have one that can be shared,

John Garrett:

Right. Well, yeah. Right. because as long as it’s not illegal or right. It’s

Ritu Singh:

—

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. You’re good at it. That keeps you happy and going something outside of work. I think everybody should, 1st of all, follow, right, follow their passion in hobby, which I do see some people like taking, you know, giving priority to other things in life than their hobbies. So people who do give priority, they should definitely share it with colleagues at work, with friends, and family. so that they can show that you know, again, like, what’s your end? So I I totally, like, I relate with it. So so, yeah, they should definitely share.

John Garrett:

Yeah. No. I mean, because I would imagine that once it got out that you like dance and then they asked you, hey. We want you to teach the group how to dance. Like, you know, the dance that you’d and and and it’s like, you know, how how cool is that? Like, I get to do what I love to do. Like, I I love marketing, but I love dance And so I get to show you that and they get to see you super alive and electric and to see them embrace it. And it’s like they know you as a human as opposed to you as a job title. And I love it so much. Yeah. What does that feel like? I guess, from your perspective, to have them embrace you like that.

Ritu Singh:

Very welcoming, and my team is so approachable. They’re welcoming, and, of course, they respect right, your time outside of work, what you do, and who you are as a person decides your title. So that, like, the whole openness about me and me as a dancer and also, like, asking questions on where do I dance? How did I learn it? Like, what specialties I have within dancing? Where have I performed? and all those, like, questions and them embracing the fact that I’m a dancer and being very interested in what I do as a passion was really appreciative. I appreciated my team. My teammates, not only my teammates, but even like beyond my team, right, the entire, you know, community that reached out to me on different panels within PwC, they were congratulating me after the fact. They were asking me what song I danced on. They had never heard about that song before. and really appreciated my dance. So that was like, I I was like, I was thrilled that I did it. I was so appreciative of all the feedback I got so many connections I got to make, and I’m still making on LinkedIn as I mentioned before.

John Garrett:

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Ritu Singh:

To see other leaders, you know, face to face at such an important meeting that we had.

John Garrett:

No. For sure. And and it’s just so cool to hear that, you know, PWC is embracing that. and, you know, wants to see the human side of you. You know, they didn’t ask you to come and do a presentation on marketing. You know, it was coming dance. like, do your thing, you know, and and that’s so cool. So cool. And I guess have you always been open about sharing dance throughout your career, or was it something where the PwC town hall thing kinda helped blow it open, or was it always through your career? You’ve shared outside of work interest.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. I think it depends on the relationship you have. I have great relationships at PwC with my my coworkers and with my and them being, you know, interested in what you do and what your passion is also made me, you know, open up myself. I don’t think it has always been the case in my previous jobs or, you know, companies I work for. I maybe some some people knew that I danced, maybe some people didn’t. my my previous job at my. My manager, she knew that was my passion. So, yeah, it depends on the relationships you have at work and then how how, you know, how much you can open up.

John Garrett:

Yeah. No. Absolutely. Absolutely. And, yeah, because I mean, it’s it’s certainly some people get nervous, you know, because it’s like, are you gonna use this against me? Are you gonna judge me for not being as dedicated to my career because I have something else that I also love, and it’s like, that’s crazy. You know, like, it’s just but the things that we tell ourselves are not always positive. You know? And so it’s so cool to hear that you did share and, you know, great things. you know, happened, and which is usually the case, you know, 99.9% of the time, which is great. And I guess, how much is it on the organization to create that space? where people wanna share and how much is it on the individual to maybe just start in a small little circle or or just jump in when the opportunity arises?

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. Actually, both ways, you have to be really interested as I mentioned. Right? And also, like, make people a priority, like, PwC for them of course, clients and people’s priority for them to keep them happy and, you know, keep them up to their level of performance and, you know, so, yeah, so both the the form itself and also, like, individual, like, I really wanted to keep up my passion, my hobby, and didn’t wanna give up because I it makes me so happy and alive. So I I shared it with my team. My my colleagues and, of course, like, the form also really puts their employees first. So it will well.

John Garrett:

Right. No. Absolutely. That is true. Yeah. because, I mean, The organization has to create that space so that you feel safe, but then you also have to then step up and share. Like, no one can make you do that. And and I guess one thing that does come up for a lot of people is, you know, I don’t have time. I got, you know, whatever. And it’s like, how do you make sure that you get that balance to make sure that you that thing that makes you feel alive, as you just said.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. I believe if it’s a priority for you, you will make time regardless of Right? So you have to prioritize what you need to do. And then my happiness and also, like, making other people happy through my dance will teaching, I’m teaching and sharing this passion with others. Also, what’s important to me, and then I really prioritize that pretty high on my on my life and to do list. So, yeah, so you have to just, like, prioritize what you like to do. It could be anything. And if it’s your hobby, then you spend, you know, take some time out from your daily routine and then and then, of course, spend time on that. So, yeah, so you have to prioritize No.

John Garrett:

For sure. And and it’s it’s so interesting because we think other things become more important. And that’s, like I said earlier, the first thing that we put on the shelf, and it’s like, no. No. No. Like, that’s the most important thing. Like, you know, and then I, for some reason, we all do it where it’s like, no. No. I’ll just put it aside and but then that’s the thing that lights you up, you know, the most. And so it’s it’s just so cool to hear, you know, your journey through all of that. So do you have any, I guess, words of encouragement to anyone listening that might be thinking, you know, I like to dance, but that has nothing to do with my job or no one’s gonna care or whatever.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. My advice would be to, 1st of all, like, understand. Right? If this is, like, something that you really it really makes you happy. then you should pursue it. Of course, you have to take time outside of your work. Or, you know, at work, you work with priority, but then evenings and weekends. If that’s something that really you wanna do, if it’s like dancing, then you should pursue it because it will not only benefit you mentally, but also an emotionally connection with other people. So definitely take time for it. If it’s something that you were doing when you were young and then you stop for whatever reason, like, you know, the life took over or other priorities to work. And think about getting back to it. You can just watch a video on YouTube, you can maybe take a class, a short class, like a 1 hour class or whatever in your community. And then just see how it feels. And if you like it and if you wanna learn more, then go for it. Like, I I would say, like, you know, if it’s your passion, if you love doing it, then nothing should stop you. You should definitely prioritize that.

John Garrett:

Yeah. I love that so much. That’s so good. So good right there. I mean, so many nuggets in that And like you said, you’d watch a YouTube video. You can just go watch your show. You don’t have to be on Broadway doing this massive production or whatever it is. You know, like, it’s It could be just just a little bit, and it’s a hobby. You know, it’s not it’s not to make money. It’s not to be the best in the world. It’s just I enjoy dancing. Am I good at it? Maybe, maybe not. Am I whatever at it? You know, like, it doesn’t matter. Yeah. I enjoy it. So do it for you. I love that advice. That’s so great.

Ritu Singh:

Absolutely.

John Garrett:

Yeah. So great. Well, before we wrap this up, I feel like it’s only fair that we turn the tables, make this the Ritu Singh podcast, Since I asked you so many questions at the beginning, I’ll open it up. You can ask me

Ritu Singh:

2

John Garrett:

or 3 if you’d like. I’m all yours. If you have any questions to ask me, I feel like it’s only fair that I turn the tables and and and

Ritu Singh:

—

Ritu Singh:

Yes. So, who is your favorite comedian since you did stand up comedy.

John Garrett:

Favorite comedian. Yeah. Probably, I I mean, like, I’m friends with, like, Nate Bergazzi and Ryan Hamilton and Tommy Johnigan are all really funny. Like Nate’s special on Amazon right now is so great. but probably Brian Regan. He’s probably my maybe my all time favorite. I can always pop in on that. Yeah. He’s always good. I mean, Russell Peters definitely makes me laugh. That’s for sure. I don’t always get all the inside jokes, but I can I I get the gist of it.

Ritu Singh:

Yeah. Or, he’s trained in.

John Garrett:

Right. Exactly. Exactly.

Ritu Singh:

Or, like, you know, just like, whoever he’s making fun of.

John Garrett:

Yeah. No. Exactly. Exactly. But he but he makes fun everybody. So it’s like, well, it’s funny all around type of thing. Yeah. For sure.

Ritu Singh:

if this is what you do for your life, like interview people and know there what’s your end.

John Garrett:

I can’t believe it’s my job either. Yeah. This is a small piece of it. The bigger piece is, keynote speaking at conferences. You know, my book, came out a couple of years ago. What’s your end? So that’s out there as well. And then it’s helping organizations to just humanize their workplaces. You know, how do we do this on the regular? You know, the things like PwC’s town hall where you were able to go and perform and you know, why don’t other firms do that or why don’t all the offices of PwC do that? You know, why is it only, you know, once a year, twice a year, whatever it is? every single office should be doing this all the time. You know? And so it’s helping organizations to do little things like that to just build a culture around people’s outside of work. You hired the whole person. So, shine a light on the whole person, not just the work part. You know, and and that’s a big piece of it for sure. And, make sure that people are living their best life as a leader, you make sure that they are because then they’ll do their best work. I mean, dancing Ritu is so much more productive and alive and and happy. than not dancing ritu. even though more hours were spent at work, it yeah. But you’re just better now. You know? And so it’s it’s how do we create a place that’s like that all the time. And so that’s really what the work is. The podcast is just a fun way to share our message because I feel like what’s your end isn’t my message. It’s ours, you know, and there’s a twenty two year old Ritu that needs to hear keep dancing and it’s important and all the young people, you know, to hear that. That’s really what my job is, but I can’t believe it’s my job either. So, you know, it’s it’s how it is.

Ritu Singh:

Which is your favorite place in the world that you have traveled to?

John Garrett:

Oh, wow. Okay. So, man, that’s gonna be I mean, Dubai is pretty amazing. And the Maldives, that was pretty pretty sweet. and you’re just in the middle of the ocean. You can’t see anything. That’s pretty crazy. Costa Rica is pretty nice. Yeah. I’d probably go with those 3 at the top of my head.

Ritu Singh:

I think Dubai and, of course, Costa Rica. Yeah. in cases.

John Garrett:

I mean, Costa Rica is pretty much on par what I expected. I’ve been several times now. But Dubai, I’ve just been once, but Yeah. I was like, it’s so western. Like, I mean, I it easily could be a a city in the US. I mean, I tried to learn some Arabic words when I went just to be nice and and gracious and whatever. And people literally said to me, why are you not speaking English? Like, they they they they all speak English. Like, it was like I think there’s more English in Dubai than in Miami. I’m not sure, but I think so. Like, it’s it’s just but they were all yeah. It was it was great. It’s great experience. And, you know, it’s just cool to see other places, for sure. Yeah. Cool. Well, thank you so much, Ritu, for being a part of what’s your end. This has been so much fun.

Ritu Singh:

Awesome. Thank you.

John Garrett:

Absolutely. And everybody listening if you wanted to see some pictures of Ritu and act or maybe connect with her on social media. Her LinkedIn, be patient with it. She’ll get to you. But be sure to go to what’s your am.com. All the links are there. while you’re on the page, please click that big button to the anonymous research survey about corporate culture, and don’t forget to read the book. So thanks again for subscribing on Apple podcast or whatever app you use and for sharing this with your friends so they get the message that we’re all trying to spread that who you are is so much more than what you do.