Cultural Transformations

Chapter 14Deva BharathiCEO of Fluid Systems Corporation (Oman)

Nobody sees your “inner core” except you, if you choose to see it; if you do choose to see it, however, this becomes the key to unlocking your true greatness.

—John Mattone

GROWING UP IN MUSCAT, OMAN, Deva Bharathi was exposed to business management early on. With both a father and uncle deeply involved in the business world, young Deva developed an early fascination for management.

When he finished his twelfth year of school, he was faced with the decision many young men of the time struggled with: engineering or medicine. The two professions were the fashion of the day, and though both were surely noble, only one path spoke to Deva's passion: commerce.

After completing an MBA, Deva went to work with his early mentors, his father and uncle. It was a full circle moment, but one that would be short lived. Though it was fulfilling to work for the family business, Deva soon discovered that not only was the business stagnant, but his father and uncle had no interest nor intention of upsetting the status quo through transformation.

It was time to move on.

In his next position with a publishing house, Deva was charged with revitalizing a struggling business in danger of going under. Discovering a natural talent for turning around companies, Deva rose to the task with ease and vision. It would be his first venture in a lifetime career leaning heavily on his turnaround skills.

Today, Deva is a visionary and entrepreneurial ...