Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager of Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, has carved a remarkable twenty-year career in hospitality through her innate ability to ensure smooth hotel operations, develop ingenious sales and marketing strategies, and build lasting connections with customers and industry partners.

At Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, she spearheads efforts to strengthen the hotel’s brand presence in the city. Throughout her illustrious career, Kadambari has consistently led the industry in intertwining revenue maximization and profitability while nurturing enduring partnerships. TheGlitz has more…

Your journey has had many momentous milestones. Could you tell us about the life-changing milestones that have moulded you into what you are today?

This question takes me down memory lane for sure, and I am happy to share two milestones that have impacted me greatly in my journey so far.

The first milestone was when I was promoted as the Market Director for Sales and Marketing of all the Marriott Mumbai properties. This promotion came to me right after I had my child. I was nervous and didn’t think that I could carry such a big responsibility while managing a new born at home. However, the organisation and some great mentors stood tall behind me and gave me all the confidence and backing. Just the fact that I had their support made me want to do better. It was then that I learned the importance of standing by the people you work with. The fact that the organisation empathises with and believes in me has stayed with me ever since.

The second milestone was my move from sales and marketing to operations. This switch taught me humility and the confidence to unlearn and learn afresh. It also taught me to take chances with the people you work with. Someone took a chance on me, and I am where I am today!

What are the setbacks you have faced? How did you tackle these setbacks or challenges? And what lesson have you learned from it?

Like many of us, I have had ups and downs in life. While I have been fortunate to have more opportunities than roadblocks, the path has not always been clear. The choices I have had to make are because I wanted to try to strike a balance between my professional and personal lives. It has been my choice to try and not compromise my family for work, and so there were movements that I made in order to stay a little more flexible and closer to home.

The biggest lesson I learned through the decisions I made was to actually live the decisions and stop regretting them if something better passed by. It was tough at times to make peace. But life will always throw curve balls, and you need to be the one to catch them and throw them back in the direction you want them to go.

When you look back, what are the three qualities in you that have helped you become what you are today?

Resilience, Gregarious and Empathetic.

Change remains the sole constant in our world, demanding grit and determination to navigate. Not every day unfolds with ease and pleasure, yet adhering to the course and persisting through challenges is the steadfast mantra for achieving better results.

I am gregarious by nature, and that has helped me through my journey immensely. This also lends itself to my empathetic nature, and this particular quality has helped me make sound decisions in life.

Who are the people who have been the wind behind your wings?

Undoubtedly, my family! I always say that I have three pillars who have always supported me and made me stay true to the course charter. The three pillars are the three men in my family.

1. My father has always been the sounding board and the reassuring force.

2. My husband, who has been my biggest critic yet the most mature, supportive, and calming factor in my life.

3. Last but not least, my son, who has in his own way spoken to me about breaking the glass ceiling and challenged me to do it.

Lastly, if there was a quote to define you, what would it be?

“Life is very interesting… In the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” Drew Barrymore

“A woman is like a tea bag. You can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“I don’t want to be better than you, her, or him; I want to be better than I am right now.” Kerri Walsh