Leadership Grounded in Growth, Resilience, and Authenticity

Abhijit Patel shares a journey shaped by immigration, cultural shock, and a commitment to continuous growth. He describes arriving in the United States as an outgoing young adult who suddenly became quiet and shell‑shocked, a shift that influenced his early confidence. His career began washing dishes in college before joining GEICO’s leadership development program, where exposure to Six Sigma, product and pricing, sales, and operations built his foundation. Facing setbacks when told he was “not the right person” for roles he wanted, he decided to attend graduate school. Surrounded by confident peers, he intentionally “faked” being outgoing until it became natural, a decision that changed his trajectory.

He later joined Mars, exploring supply chain and new product development, but realized he wanted a smaller, faster‑moving organization. Choice Hotels provided that opportunity, where a leader took a chance on him despite his lack of hospitality and technology experience. His roles expanded rapidly, from tech liaison to business owner, commercial planning leader, and ultimately VP. He reflects on missteps, including becoming overly tough on his team during a steep learning curve, and credits mentors, humility, and staying forward‑looking for his growth.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• “I made an intentional decision to fake it… before it became natural for me.”
• “It made me hungry to grow in other areas.”
• “You never know what’s going to come along… why not try something?”
• “Our franchisees… they inspire me quite a bit.”
• “Continuous improvement… has served me well even today.”

Closing Reflection

Abhijit’s journey reflects courage, adaptability, and the power of pushing beyond comfort zones. His story encourages embracing growth, learning from setbacks, and staying grounded in humility while pursuing opportunities with openness and optimism.