The term ‘Pivot’ in business parlance was popularised by Eric Reis in his ‘Lean Startup’ methodology. In conceptual terms a pivot is a structured course correction based on validated learning and market feedback. It involves keeping one leg (core competency or mission) in place while moving the other into a new area of opportunity, without tripping. The goal is to find a better product-market fit when the current approach isn’t yielding the desired results.

In India we know how Myntra ‘pivoted’ away from branded merchandise to fashion. Internationally brands like YouTube, Instagram, Slack and Groupon have pivoted and achieved great success. Before you ask, I know of no ready answer to the question: ‘When is it the right time to pivot? When is the right time to redouble your efforts and stay invested in the same path?’

What about your personal journey? Your career? Can the same idea of Pivot be applied? When you are at a twin fork, which turn do you take, or do you pick a new path altogether?

Neel’s journey

Harit Nagpal in his new book Pivot presents the life journey of a fictitious character he calls Neel. The story starts with Neel when he is a school student. And it follows his journey as he becomes the CEO of a large company. The book seems to be largely inspired by Harit’s own life journey. I’m not sure how much of the book is autobiographical though.

The book talks about the story of Neel and his many ‘pivots’, but more importantly it makes the reader stop every few pages to take a self-quiz.

The first one addressed to the student in you: “Would you describe yourself as studious or sporty, a competitor or a participant or a bit of both when you were in early school? What were the things you liked doing? What were you good at, according to others?”

Neel decides to pivot his educational journey, opting for engineering instead of medicine that was picked by his father. He faced several challenges in the engineering college he joined but learnt some valuable life lessons. Here is a question “Was your core group at college made up of ‘people like you’ or was it a diverse group? Did your friends challenge your thoughts? In hindsight, would you have made friends with a different lot.”

Job pivot

Let us now fast forward to Neel’s entry into the job market. Here again he pivoted, decided to give up on a campus offer to jump to a company which had initially rejected him. Neel spent some years in sales and was happy with his job when some of his peers were jumping out of hard core sales jobs. Here is one more question: “Do your peers or team members complain about the tasks or the targets assigned to them? Do you see an opportunity to convert these complaints into an opportunity to grow, instead of joining the chorus, just as Neel did?”

Neel changes jobs. Neel changes companies. Neel changes industry sectors. Neel goes aboard. The book takes us through his journey and his challenges. And at every turn Harit wants the reader to stop and answer a question: What challenge did you face in your job? How did you handle it?

The book makes the reader to introspect. Is the decision we took the right one? Or should we have thought some more before taking action?

The book is a very easy read but reading is not an end in itself. The book will be of value if you can read but also stop and answer the questions. And then proceed.

For a young executive who is wondering where he/she is heading, Neel’s journey is a good path to emulate. And answering the questions will help them figure out the answers for themselves.

The reviewer is an independent brand coach

Click here for the link to the book

Published on December 28, 2025