MSOE VP Saj Thachenkary's candid leadership confession is an honest take on what motivates him.
Leadership journeys rarely follow a straight path, and for Saj Thachenkary, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), this couldn't be more true.
In a recent WorkWise interview, Saj shared insights from his remarkable career trajectory and the lessons learned along the way.
Born in India and raised by his grandparents for his first three years while his parents completed their education in America, Saj's journey to corporate leadership began with a foundation of adaptability.
After reuniting with his parents in the Chicago suburbs, Thachenkary moved through Skokie and Evanston before heading north to Kenosha, and finally settling in Milwaukee for college.
"You learn to make friends fast," Saj reflects, but the subtext runs deeper.
Repositioning taught Saj that leadership requires comfort with impermanence and the ability to build trust quickly in shifting circumstances.
Even more, what's particularly striking about Saj's evolution is his embrace of productive tension.
While many leaders surround themselves with agreeable voices, he actively seeks out friction.
"The friends who I really value are the friends who don't just agree with me, but who push back, who can counter my points of view, bring different perspectives," Saj explains.
This extends to his home life, where Saj credits his wife as his "anchoring presence" precisely because she's "the most comfortable telling me when I'm wrong."
It's a remarkable inversion of the typical executive narrative – instead of projecting infallibility, Saj sees value in being consistently challenged.
When discussing influences, he emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking.
Perhaps most notably, he credits his wife as his "anchoring presence," appreciating her willingness to tell him when he's wrong – "and that's often," he adds with characteristic humility.
This comfort with discomfort proved crucial when Tom Pierce at the Journal Sentinel thrust Saj into a leadership role over more experienced colleagues – many of whom had trained him.
Rather than attempting to trying to prove himself or overcompensate for what might have been considered less experience, Saj learned that effective leadership often means navigating the uncomfortable space between authority and humility.
"I tried to be a little too nice and ease into it," he admits, but through this experience, he discovered his talent for building cohesive teams.
Perhaps most revealing is Saj’s stark admission about what drives him: "The thing that's over my shoulder is the fear of disappointing people and the fear of failure."
While most executives might frame their motivation through the lens of achievement or innovation, Saj’s honesty reveals a more nuanced truth about leadership – that vulnerability and strength aren't opposites, but companions.
Saj balances this fear with "how great it feels to win or do something amazing and have an accomplishment as a team that really lifts the entire organization."
Today, Saj continues to evolve as a leader at MSOE, maintaining a careful balance between creative thinking and results-driven strategy.
Saj’s journey from aspiring DJ (yes, really!) to marketing executive demonstrates the unpredictable nature of career paths and the importance of remaining open to new opportunities while staying grounded in strong relationships and team success.
When asked to reflect on what advice he’d give his young self, Lil Saj, here’s what he said.
"When you're young, everything is a battle. When you're older, you have the time to look back. I'd say careers, and to some extent, life, too, they're full of these peaks and valleys. Try not to get too high at those peaks and not to get too low in the valleys."
He then adds an important second part to this advice:
"Celebrate the wins and the people you've been fortunate enough to intersect with and to share those memories and those experiences with. Because those things last when these projects and deadlines go away.”
For young professionals looking to chart their own path, Saj's story offers a compelling reminder that leadership isn't just about personal achievement – it's about building strong teams, embracing challenges, and remaining adaptable in the face of change.