Phone-free policy at home keeps this cargo executive’s work-life balanced
Rajesh Menon
Cathay Pacific, Regional Head of Cargo
South Asia, Middle East and Africa
Tech gadgets like smart phones are life’s essentials in today’s digital age but too much of it could also be bad. Experts said excessive use of mobile phones can alienate us from our loved ones and friends and distract us from spending time in real physical activities. Yet, few of us have the discipline to digitally disconnect every now and then.
For Rajesh Menon, Cathay Pacific Airways’ Regional Head of Cargo for South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, it’s important to keep a healthy work-life balance. He’s among those that consciously disconnect from mobile phones while at home.
“Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for me. I follow a strict phone-free policy once I step into my home, only checking it every two hours. This allows me to be fully present for my family and to focus on my fitness routine,” Menon shared.
The doting father always devotes time to his family. “I cherish spending time with my daughter, who constantly inspires and teaches me. Staying active and prioritizing fitness is part of my daily routine. I also make time for holidays with family and friends, which are precious opportunities for connection and growth.”
Menon’s job is demanding, requires a lot of attention and right decisions to be made. But this aviation veteran finds that dynamic culture alluring and challenging.
“I have an innate passion for the aviation industry, having navigated through various roles, right from airport operations, passenger sales, and to air cargo. This journey is fueled by my love for travelling the world,” he shared on what motivated him to join the aviation industry.
“The dynamic nature of this field, influenced by factors like natural disasters, political upheaval, or global pandemics, has taught me the importance of adaptability, agility, and resilience. Continuous learning has been my most effective tool for overcoming these challenges. The insights I gained from customer experience at Cathay were invaluable, especially in guiding our team through difficult times,” he added.
Rajesh also enjoys traveling. “Travelling fuels my curiosity and broadens my perspective. Cape Town remains my favorite destination, but I’m always eager to explore more. Currently, I’m off to Japan and planning to visit Vietnam by the end of the year. Next year, I aim to discover more of Europe.”
And he loves tasting different cuisines, saying, “I embrace the philosophy of ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do,’ and I enjoy trying diverse cuisines such as Indonesian, Thai, Italian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Turkish, and Greek.”
At work, Rajesh believes people will thrive in an environment where communication is nurtured and an open-mind to learn new things.
“I encourage my fellow senior professionals to embrace lifelong learning, especially as air cargo is amongst the slowest industry to adopt digitalization compared to other sectors. With the rapid pace of change, staying updated is essential. Likewise, I urge young professionals to consider a career in air cargo and logistics. The pandemic highlighted the industry’s critical role in global trade, and as the world economy continues to grow, so will opportunities in this sector,” he said.
Adding, “The air cargo and logistics industry is transforming, and we need skilled graduates in digital technology, data analytics, digital sales, and marketing. Your expertise will drive this transformation, making a meaningful impact on both the industry and one’s career.”
