In this insightful talk, Sameer Srivastava, a seasoned technology leader and CISO, invites us to explore a less celebrated—yet deeply powerful—path to growth: staying a student for life. Whether leading India’s largest biometric system or stepping into new corporate frontiers, he discovered that true power lies not in reaching a pinnacle but in remaining unfinished.Drawing from moments of reinvention—such as leaving behind a high-level government role to re-enter the corporate world—Sameer illustrates how curiosity, humility, and openness can turn “ordinary” factors into extraordinary levers of change. He shares how closing his laptop in a room full of experts and inviting their personal stories sparked much richer, transformative discussions. He also recounts losing promotions and reframing rejection not as failures, but as opportunities to learn: shifting from “Why didn’t I get it?” to “What can I do better next time?”From suggestion boxes that unlocked brilliant hidden ideas—from interns, front-line staff, and admin teams—to teaching again and discovering new perspectives in familiar lessons, Sameer proves that our edge comes from the insight in ordinary interactions. By staying unfinished—curious, candid, and compassionate—we remain open to growth, collaboration, and unexpected inspiration. This talk is a compelling reminder that success isn’t a finish line—it’s a continuous journey of self-renewal. Sameer Srivastava is a distinguished technology leader and policy advisor with over 25 years of experience across government and corporate sectors. Currently serving as Chief Operating Officer & CISO at Anant Raj Cloud Pvt. Ltd., he drives large-scale innovations in cloud infrastructure and data centre development in India. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx