Deconstructing the saga: Abbas Hashmi
In the latest episode of The Career Circus podcast, financier and entrepreneur Abbas Hashmi shared stories from a unique career journey in private family wealth spanning India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Let’s unpack what made his stories so compelling.
Setting the Scene
Abbas's story begins with a set of unique experiences: professional stints in Mumbai, New Delhi, Lahore and Karachi.
The well known political hostilities between India and Pakistan help to draw listeners in as there are so few stories of Pakistanis working in finance in India.
From here, Abbas adds specific details to make his story relatable but also surprising.
The relatability comes from his racking up large mobile roaming bills - a common frustration for any traveler aged 25+. This anecdote hit homes especially for South Asians whose culture lends itself to frequent and lengthy international calls with parents.
Abbas then adds a surprise: despite the well known tension between India and Pakistan, he is touched by the incredible hospitality of his Indian hosts; not just from ordinary Indians but also from government officials.
This story works because it reminds us of a simple truth: people, on an individual level, are often far more generous and open-hearted than what public policy may indicate.
Challenging conventional wisdom
Abbas’ storytelling is build around challenging conventional wisdom. This manifests in several anecdotes.
Rather than accept the well-known narrative of South Asian flag carriers being champions of outdated aircraft and scheduling woes, he focuses on the hospitality provided by PIA and Air India, even in economy class, and compares this favorably to the service provided on U.S./European carriers.
Similarly, Abbas challenges the New York City social norm around picking up people from the airport. While most New Yorkers don’t pick up passengers from the airport (as most don’t have a car), Abbas client service extends to picking up his clients’ kids from JFK or EWR as they arrive in New York in pursuit of internships or studies.
This detail about adding more personal and human touch ends up foreshadowing the central lesson from his career arc: the importance of relationships.
It’s not about money, it’s about relationships
The story shared about relationships is compelling because it goes beyond the typical narrative of Middle Eastern money. Instead, it touches upon the human side of wealth, as the mega-rich are often concerned about familial issues like the education and welfare of a special needs child.
By focusing on relationships, Abbas touches on universal emotions and experiences—such as feeling seen, heard, and supported—which resonate broadly, no matter how much money you have (or don’t have).
This ends up being a powerful juxtaposition because it highlights the importance of human connection in an industry often driven by numbers.
This theme is extended to the classroom as Abbas’ Columbia classes reveal shared woes across borders - Mexican next-gen facing the same invisibility or family dynamics as Japanese ones.
This proves to be an intelligent storytelling device as it allows listeners to hear a reflection of their own family frictions.
Engaging clients but lowering pressure
Abbas’ perspective on relationships is brought to life by two stories - each with a bit of a plot twist.
Firstly, he recounts how he invents events to create an excuse to be in the Middle East. In doing so, he makes his contacts feel important and allows himself to meet them without having his network feel the need to play host.
In addition, he won’t ask contacts to invest directly in a project. Instead he will describe his ideal investor - which matches the description of his contact - and ask for referrals. Over time, his contacts come to realise that they are suitable for investment.
By subverting listeners’ expectations, Abbas leaves the audience with a memorable anecdote (and actionable advice).
Key Factors Making These Stories Compelling
Clear Stakes and Setup: Abbas starts with the "why" of his journeys, establishing emotional and cultural risks early to hook listeners
Sensory, Specific Details: Vivid anecdotes - like biryani toppings or airport pickups - create cinematic immersion without overwhelming
Emotional Layers: He explores family invisibility and resilience, turning personal vulnerabilities into relatable triumphs
Universal Resonance: Themes of connection across divides mirror broader human experiences, from cousin rivalries to AI-era loneliness
Forward-Looking Arc: Blending past adventures with future insights on wealth democratization ties the narrative into an inspiring whole
By interweaving surprise and challenging conventional wisdom, Abbas’ stories provoke introspection, and invite deeper conversation about culture, service, leadership, and the transformative power of relationships.
For more from Abbas, follow him on Linkedin.