Shraddha Musale: Presence and communication can change your career trajectory

Shraddha Musale, best known for playing Dr Tarika on the long-running television show CID, has quietly added another dimension to her professional journey. The actress, who has also been part of shows such as Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Miley Jab Hum Tum, Shobha Somnath Ki, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai and Porus, has now turned author with her book Thrive in Corporate.

Speaking about what inspired her to write the book, Shraddha says the idea emerged naturally through her work outside acting. She shares, “The topic came very organically to me. I never planned to write a book or saw myself as an author. The idea came through my work in the career-skills education space, where I have spent years interacting with students, young professionals, and working executives.” She adds that these interactions helped her identify a recurring gap in how people approach their professional lives.

She says, “Over time, I realised that most people don’t struggle because they lack talent, but because they don’t understand how to navigate professional environments. The publishers felt that these real conversations and learnings needed to exist in the form of a book, and that’s how Thrive in Corporate came into being.

” While the writing process itself was relatively concise, the foundation of the book was laid over several years.

She says, “The writing took a few months, but the content is the result of years of real-life experience. I have been running my education venture for about four to five years. The book started taking shape around two to two-and-a-half years ago, once the publishers approached me. So while it was written over months, it is built on years of observation, conversations, and learning.

” Balancing acting with writing and entrepreneurship did not feel like a challenge to her, as all three were deeply interconnected.

“The book never felt separate from my life or work. Writing happened alongside acting and my entrepreneurial journey. It was less about strict schedules and more about consistency and clarity,” she explains. She also credits her acting background for shaping her perspective as a writer.

She adds, “Acting has made me more observant of people, behaviour, communication, and confidence. These are core themes of the book.” When asked to share two key takeaways on thriving in corporate spaces, Shraddha keeps it practical. “Hard work alone is not enough. You need clarity on how people, systems, and conversations function in professional environments. Secondly, work on your presence, how you communicate, how you carry yourself, and how you are perceived. These skills are learnable, and they make a significant difference in long-term growth,” she concludes.