We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rajeev Nandakumaran. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rajeev below.
Rajeev, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I was born in the middle of Civil War in Sri Lanka. There was an ethnic cleansing of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka during the riots in 1983. My family had to flee war as refugees to come to America. We left a comfortable and successful life in Sri Lanka, and found ourselves in the middle of Los Angeles with nothing. After becoming established in the States, I lost my mother to cancer at age 9. Our world was rocked once again, and we had to pick up the broken pieces not only externally and logistically, but internally and spiritually. Resilience is the outcome of not only enduring suffering, but believing that all things work together for our good. Most by-products of suffering are actually not good. We tend to glamorize the trauma and the hustle because it makes a good story. But my personal resilience is the result of allowing God to take my ashes and turn it into beauty. I just wanted to be a part of His story for my life and the people around me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At the core, I am an artist. I am a singer / rapper / songwriter / producer with 7 albums out. My music is best categorized as hip-hop / pop / soul fusion, in the body of a Sri Lankan American worldview. I went to UCLA to become a lawyer, and graduated becoming a rapper. My background is interesting in that though music is the thing I love so much, I do not put my identity in it or the things I do. I believe that the “new great” is being able to execute your craft at the highest level, while not compromising the things that matter. We live in a society that commends people at doing things well, even if the rest of their lives look terrible. I believe the future will call for people who are great both professionally and personally. This is my “brand.” I am not calling people to perfection, but to present their whole being into everything. We cannot be so disintegrated as people.
While I have toured the world making and performing music, I am also a husband, father, author and entrepreneur. My wife and I have 3 girls, so I am a girl dad through and through! We also have started Bridge Montessori Schools, where for every child enrolled, one child gets free education in another part of the world. We have started schools in Egypt and Sri Lanka, to give education to some of the poorest communities in the world. You can learn more at bridgemontessori.com. We just opened up our 2nd campus in Pasadena, CA, where we go from infant to 6th grade.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important things in my journey were: 1) Faith in God; 2) Resilience; 3) The art of communication
If you do not have faith in something bigger than yourself, then you will always believe that your story and contribution is about you. We are not compelling enough to outlast the difficulties that your journey will bring. You have to be tied to the love and service of God and people. This is the thing that will give you the resolve and desire to have conviction and faith when everything in you wants to quit.
Resilience is not excessive grit. It can be quiet. It can be shaped to your personality. We all exhibit resilience in a unique way. In order to develop resilience, you have to be humble. Humility allows us to take failure and the “no’s” in stride. We cannot expect things to work in our favor, or we will fall into the trap of entitlement. We can hope for the yes or the favorable outcome, but we must not be moved when external factors do not work our way. Pride often makes us shift our attention and focus when are only motivated by success. Humility will stay the course, and understand that our dreams take time.
Communication is the most important tool we have to build a team, get our vision across, and maintain healthy friendships and relationships. We are nothing without this gift. Whether you are an artist, leader, businessperson, or even a friend, you will need to learn how to communicate. Develop communication skills by being intentional with every valuable relationship in your life. If you cannot keep consistent friendships, then you know you need to learn how to communicate. It may not be natural, but it is essential.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I only had my mother for 9 years, and I have been fortunate to have my father alive to this day. I never had to earn their love. This was foundational for my journey and growth. I knew that failure or my weaknesses would not diminish their love for me. This is the greatest thing they did for me. When a child feels unconditional love and approval, then the child can experience a freedom to create and evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: jeevomusic.com / bridgemontessori.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeev-nandakumaran-45885125/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyYnYpB1HMYR-1wB-F11CeA?app=desktop
