A Journey of Adaptability and Resilience!
In a rapidly advancing tech landscape, the Web3 tech industry has emerged as a frontier of innovation and transformation. With its decentralized approach and focus on blockchain technology, Web3 is redefining traditional paradigms across various sectors, from finance to entertainment and beyond.
Leading the charge in navigating this dynamic industry is Srinivas Buddharaju, a Strategic Advisor with a distinguished background in the Indian Navy. Leveraging his extensive experience in leadership and strategic planning, Srinivas brings invaluable insights to the forefront of Web3 initiatives, guiding organizations toward sustainable growth and success.
At the forefront of this technological revolution stands Metasky, a pioneering entity driving innovation in the Web3 community space. With a commitment to fostering resilient ecosystems and empowering digital interactions, Metasky epitomizes the transformative potential of Web3 technology. Collaborating with industry leaders like Srinivas, Metasky continues to shape the future of decentralized platforms, creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and collective advancement.
Let’s delve in to learn more:
A Veteran’s Transition to New Frontiers
Srinivas joined the National Defence Academy in Pune in 1995 and was subsequently commissioned into the Indian Navy as an Officer upon completing ab initio training in 1999. During his tenure in the Navy, he specialized as a Surface Warfare Officer on Warships, focusing on the Navigation of Ships and the Direction of Fighter Aircraft. He gained extensive experience serving on various frontline warships and participating in active operations. Throughout his career, he held three training assignments, which provided him with valuable skills in people engagement, research, and public speaking.
Following his retirement from the Navy, Srinivas pursued further education and enrolled in the PGPMAX Executive MBA Program at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad. In November 2023, he connected with Metasky, a startup operating in the Web3 Community space, and found significant synergies with the company’s Creative Director. This connection eventually led to his decision to join Metasky immediately after completing his course at ISB.
Srinivas appreciates the positive organizational culture established by Metasky’s Founder, which contributes to his enjoyment and satisfaction in his current role as a Strategic Advisor at the company.
Leadership in Action
Following his initial training in the Navy, Srinivas assumed the role of Executive Officer (the second in command) of a small amphibious ship stationed in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This appointment thrust him into a leadership position, where he oversaw the operation of a small ship in remote island territories and managed the administration of approximately 50 personnel. Due to the ship’s size, he interacted closely with the sailors, fostering a strong rapport with his team. Subsequently, he was assigned to another small warship based in Chennai, tasked with patrolling the coast of Tamil Nadu during a period of heightened LTTE threat. In both assignments, he led anti-poaching, anti-piracy, and anti-smuggling operations, which shaped his hands-on leadership style. Leading by example and demonstrating empathy towards his team emerged as the hallmarks of his leadership approach.
From Naval Officer to Web3 Leader
In 2016, Srinivas represented the Indian Navy in an International Civil-Military Course at the Naval Postgraduate School in the USA, where he first encountered cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Despite its early stages, upon further research, he recognized the potential utilities of blockchain and became intrigued by the idea of involvement in related ventures. Following his retirement from the Indian Navy in July 2022, he immersed himself in the Web3 space and swiftly ascended to the role of Community Leader within the industry. Leveraging his understanding of the technology, he provided guidance and support to numerous projects and founders embarking on ventures in the Web3 arena, particularly focusing on community building. Despite lacking expertise in software development, his grasp of the technology-enabled him to forge connections across various verticals within the Web3 industry.
Enhancing Strategy Through Experience
Srinivas’s background in security operations and quality control inspection has equipped him with foresight, meticulous attention to detail, and a steadfast commitment to discipline. These attributes serve as valuable assets in his current capacity, enabling him to devise more efficient and agile strategies for his role.
Balancing Commitments, Navigating Transitions
Srinivas has encountered challenges balancing family commitments, including caring for an elderly father and raising teenage children, alongside daily household responsibilities. During his tenure in the Navy, the demanding nature of his duties made it difficult to allocate sufficient time to his family. Following his retirement, he prioritized a more balanced approach, dedicating time to family matters.
In recent years, particularly in 2021 and 2022, the Web3 sector showed promise, but geopolitical issues in 2023 prompted Srinivas to focus on networking and skill development. He pursued a PGPMAX Executive MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, to enhance his capabilities and establish connections with senior executives in the corporate sector.
Concurrently, he concentrated on cultivating relationships within the Web3 community, engaging with projects and communities active in the space. Despite being outside the typical age group of startup employees, his efforts in networking and skill-building facilitated his transition to a role at a startup like Metasky.
Fostering Resilient Communities
He highlights his strengths in people skills and leadership, which have proven instrumental in his post-retirement community management roles. Over the past two years, he has been actively engaged in building communities, emphasizing the importance of keeping them engaged. Srinivas acknowledges the inevitable fluctuations in community dynamics, ranging from periods of excitement to times of apprehension and uncertainty.
Recognizing the dual nature of social media as both a facilitator and magnifier of community emotions, he stresses the importance of adhering to fundamental principles. Regardless of the prevailing sentiment within the community, he believes that projects must remain steadfast in their commitment to their roadmap. Srinivas asserts that resilient communities are forged by projects that maintain their focus and continue their work despite external pressures.
Productivity Through Social Engagement
During his tenure in the Navy, Srinivas led a demanding 24×7 lifestyle. However, upon retirement, he found himself with more leisure time, which initially led to tendencies of procrastination. To counteract this, he proactively engaged in social media, particularly on Twitter, where he quickly amassed over 16,000 followers. Regularly creating content became a means for him to stay productive and avoid lethargy. Srinivas focuses on generating content by analyzing markets and specific projects while also sharing valuable information with his audience. He maintains an open direct messaging policy, ensuring direct communication with his followers whenever needed.
Accolades in Service and Innovation
During his tenure in the Indian Navy, Srinivas was honored with the Commander-in-Chief Commendation for ‘Devotion to Duty’ and the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation for excellence during the President’s International Fleet Review 2016. Additionally, he was appointed as the Opening Speaker for the sixth edition of the ‘Dilli Series’ Sea Power Seminar held at the Indian Naval Academy in 2019.
In the Web3 space, he was selected as a Speaker on the international panel, ‘Ignited Minds,’ hosted by the Metaverse Company, Etern Meta, on Twitter in July 2023. He was also chosen as a Speaker to deliver an Expert Talk for the 21st event of the prestigious Bharat Blockchain Yatra (BBY) at Chandigarh University, Punjab, in March 2024.
Embracing Change
Despite lacking corporate experience and exposure to social media during his 23 years of service in the Indian Navy, Srinivas has swiftly transitioned to various roles, including Franchise Consultant, Web3 Advisor and Community Manager, and Social Media Influencer. This remarkable achievement underscores his adaptability and determination. Additionally, he is actively involved in product development collaborations with Web3 projects, signaling the beginning of a promising growth trajectory. Srinivas shares his journey to inspire others, emphasizing that it’s never too late to change course and reinvent oneself. Through openness to new experiences, continuous learning, and contributions to collective success, individuals can profoundly impact others.
Guiding Principles for Success
Srinivas advocates for purposeful living and perseverance, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and support for personal growth. He encourages individuals to define their mission and values, allowing them to navigate life with purpose. Viewing change as an opportunity rather than a setback, he stresses the significance of networking, continuous learning, and evolving alongside a diverse community that shares common goals.
Drawing from his experience as a Navy veteran, he underscores that success is not solely about reaching one’s destination but also about the journey itself.
“Together, we can create a world that empowers and enriches us all.”
A Naval Journey to Navigating Life’s Challenges
As a second-generation Naval officer, Srinivas Buddharaju hails from a family deeply rooted in military service, with his father serving as a nuclear submarine engineer in the Navy. Growing up in the armed forces environment, he experienced numerous relocations alongside his father’s postings, which exposed him to diverse cultures and environments. His schooling primarily took place in Central School (Kendriya Vidyalaya), where he formed friendships with peers from across the country, fostering a multicultural upbringing that instilled a strong character from an early age.
Srinivas’s family includes his 80-year-old father, his wife, who transitioned from physiotherapy to teaching, and their children—a son in 12th grade and a daughter in 7th grade. Throughout his career, he had the privilege of participating in active operations, with a notable highlight being his tenure as Navigating Officer on a warship deployed for Anti-Piracy Patrol in the Gulf of Aden in 2010. This period was particularly demanding as the ship spent 300 out of 360 days away from Base Port while Srinivas juggled responsibilities as a husband and father to a young son. Fortunately, he found support within the close-knit community of the Indian Navy fraternity, which aided him during challenging times.
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