About Beyond Cubicles
📢 #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina D’Souza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.
Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industries—ranging from tech and education to wellness and adventure—who share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers.
✨ Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.
The Power of Words
From commanding ships to guiding leaders, Harsh Johari’s career has charted a bold and unconventional course.
“I’ve always been a risk taker,” he says. “I changed jobs when I was doing well because I kept asking, ‘What’s next? What else can I achieve?’”
He commanded merchant ships for nearly 15 years—overseeing $100M in assets and planning more than 30 global voyages. During one voyage, a fire broke out, and he led his crew in an operation that saved millions in machinery, reinforcing his ability to stay calm under pressure.
Leaving the maritime world behind for finance was no small leap, but he thrived in high-stakes operations as an investment banker.
“I’ve always been comfortable with uncertainty,” he says.
With the realization that his leadership skills extend far beyond investment banking, in 2019 he made another bold move—leaving a secure role to start his leadership coaching practice.
“Leaders face the same pressures—uncertainty, isolation, and fear of failure. My mission is to help them navigate those waters,” he says.
Each career shift not only expanded his expertise but also revealed new facets of his leadership, creativity, and resilience. “These shifts allowed me to build my own brand and connect with my community,” he says.
As a coach, he focuses on the human side of leadership—the vulnerability and loneliness many leaders feel but rarely express. “Leaders have fears, just like everyone else,” he says. “With me, they can be themselves without judgment.”
His advice for those considering a career shift? “Don’t wait for your career to stagnate. Take risks, but be ready to let go of old habits. Reinvention means pushing beyond comfort.”
Harsh now coaches between Dubai and Bengaluru, balancing his work with personal growth. He writes a weekly newsletter, paints occasionally, and continues to reinvent himself.
From the seas to the boardroom, he sees leadership as an ever-evolving journey. True growth, he says, “comes from taking risks and embracing change.”