1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

I believe a leader is not just someone who is followed, but someone who creates more leaders. In today's career-driven environment, professionals often prioritise personal advancement over skill development. This widening gap poses challenges in delegating responsibilities and identifying future leaders who possess the right skills, experience, and mindset.

To address this, I focus on creating a work environment that values continuous skill enhancement. Emphasising mentorship and knowledge-sharing, experienced team members guide and nurture their colleagues' growth. Additionally, I identify high-potential employees and provide targeted mentoring to groom them for leadership roles. Ultimately, my goal as a leader is to empower individuals to become leaders themselves. By bridging the skills gap and nurturing talent within the organisation, I aim to build a team of capable professionals who can overcome challenges, drive innovation, and achieve long-term success.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

The journey towards leadership is both thrilling and fulfilling, but it is not without its challenges. I attribute a great deal of my growth as a leader to this transformative journey. It all began during my time in fourth grade, when I started teaching fine arts to friends and children in my neighbourhood, initially for free. However, I quickly realised that when something is obtained without cost, its value may not be fully appreciated. To ensure commitment and dedication from my students, I began charging a nominal fee.

This experience taught me the importance of finding individuals who are genuinely committed to learning and investing time in honing their skills. In 2003, as the Head and Faculty of Fashion Technology, I had the privilege of teaching students of various ages, all driven by a hunger for knowledge. It was a remarkable lesson in understanding that age is merely a number when it comes to learning. I discovered that anyone, regardless of age, can continue to grow and excel with continuous learning and proper guidance. Another invaluable lesson came during my tenure as a Lecturer in Commerce and HR at a Diploma college.

As a relatively young instructor, I initially faced scepticism from students who doubted my credibility. Through consistent effort, perseverance, and adapting my teaching methods to engage them effectively, I established a friendly rapport. This experience taught me the importance of being part of the group and leading from the front. It served me well when I later led a team of writers and editors during my journalism days. Typically, teams maintain a certain distance from their managers.

However, I fostered a culture of trust where every team member felt included. They felt comfortable discussing their professional aspirations, challenges, and even personal issues, finding solutions collectively. Over time, this became my signature approach, providing a supportive environment for making mistakes, learning, growing, mentoring, and leading. I had never realised that these seemingly small, yet essential elements would shape me into the leader I am today. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Electronics Clap, the consulting editor-in-chief of TradeFlock, and a content strategist and brand consultant, I carry with me the values and lessons I have accumulated over the past two decades. They guide every decision and action I take, infusing my work with the wisdom gained from this remarkable journey.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

My mornings begin with reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and Gayatri Mantra, followed by rejuvenating activities like walking, yoga, and pranayama. These rituals provide me with the energy I need to tackle the day ahead. Equally important to me is the food I consume. That's why I prefer home-cooked meals. In fact, preparing breakfast with my mother for the entire family is a refreshing and enriching experience.

Once I'm ready, I dive into my work at my home office. This entails checking emails from my team and clients, and engaging in multiple meetings with various departments, such as sales, design, marketing, and content. I also spend time interviewing industry experts and veterans, writing and editing stories, and providing constructive feedback.

A significant portion of my day is dedicated to mentoring, training, and designing the editorial process and publication for my clients. Throughout the day, I take short breaks to enjoy the perks of working from home and spend quality time with my family. Our family dinner is a cherished ritual that we never miss. To end my day, I indulge in reading inspiring books and biographies, staying updated on the industry and the world at large, and continuously learning to keep myself informed and inspired.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

A recent leadership lesson that I've been reminded of is the importance of active listening. As a content expert, I often find myself in positions where I need to collaborate with team members, clients, and stakeholders to achieve common goals. During a recent project, I realised that truly listening to others and understanding their perspectives is crucial for effective leadership.

By actively listening, I gained valuable insights, identified potential challenges, and discovered innovative ideas. It allowed me to foster an environment where everyone's input was valued, leading to better decision-making and a stronger sense of teamwork. This experience reminded me that as a leader, it is not enough to have expertise in the subject matter; I must also prioritise active listening to build strong relationships, encourage collaboration, and drive successful outcomes.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

One book that has had a profound impact on my leadership journey is the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. This ancient scripture, known for its profound wisdom and teachings, has provided invaluable insights and guidance in shaping my leadership approach. The story of how the Bhagavad Gita impacted my leadership begins with its core message of duty and selfless action. The book emphasises the importance of leading with integrity, compassion, and a focus on serving others rather than personal gains.

This resonated deeply with me and prompted a shift in my leadership philosophy. Through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, I learned the significance of being a leader who acts in the best interest of the team and the greater good, rather than being solely driven by personal ambition. This realisation brought about a transformation in how I approached decision-making, team collaboration, and cultivating a positive work culture. One particular verse that left a lasting impression on me is from Chapter 2, Verse 47: "Your right is to perform your prescribed duty only, but never to lay claim to its results.

Do not become motivated by the fruits of your actions, and never develop an attachment to inaction." This verse taught me the importance of focusing on the process and giving my best effort, rather than fixating on the outcomes or seeking personal recognition. The Bhagavad Gita also taught me the value of equanimity in the face of challenges and uncertainties. It emphasised the need to maintain a calm and composed mind, even in difficult circumstances. This teaching has guided me during times of adversity, enabling me to make well-thought-out decisions and lead with resilience and grace.

Moreover, the book emphasised the concepts of self-awareness and introspection. It encouraged me to reflect on my own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations as a leader. This self-reflection has been instrumental in identifying areas for growth, embracing continuous learning, and developing a deeper understanding of myself and my leadership style. This timeless scripture continues to be a guiding light, reminding me of the deeper purpose of leadership and inspiring me to lead with humility, authenticity, and a focus on service to others.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

If I could offer just one piece of advice to a young leader, it would be to prioritise continuous learning and personal growth. Leadership is a journey of growth and development that requires a mindset of constant improvement. Investing in your own learning and development will not only enhance your knowledge and skills but also broaden your perspective and enable you to adapt to the ever-changing business landscape.

Seek opportunities to expand your knowledge through books, courses, workshops, and interactions with experienced mentors. Additionally, embrace challenges and learn from both successes and failures. Embrace feedback and be open to different viewpoints. By continuously learning, you will stay ahead of the curve, inspire your team, and make informed decisions that have a meaningful impact.

Remember, leadership is not a destination but a lifelong journey. As a young leader, embrace the mindset of a perpetual learner, and you will cultivate the skills, wisdom, and resilience needed to navigate the complexities of leadership and make a positive difference in the lives of those you lead.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

One meaningful story that comes to mind from my time as a leader is centred around the importance of embracing failure as a catalyst for growth and personal development. I had a team member who was highly motivated and ambitious but was often held back by the fear of failure. They would hesitate to take risks or step out of their comfort zone, fearing that any misstep would be seen as a failure.

This fear was limiting their potential for growth and stifling their ability to innovate. Recognising the potential of this team member, I decided to cultivate a culture that celebrated and embraced failure as a valuable learning opportunity. I encouraged them to take calculated risks, try new approaches, and not be discouraged by setbacks. In one particular project, the team member took a bold initiative that didn't yield the expected results. Instead of reprimanding or criticising them, I held a constructive feedback session where we openly discussed the outcomes and the lessons learned.

We analysed what went wrong, identified areas for improvement, and brainstormed alternative strategies. Through this experience, the team member realised that failure is not a reflection of their worth or competence as a leader. Instead, it provided valuable insights, highlighting areas that required adjustment and paving the way for growth and improvement. Encouraged by this supportive environment, the team member began to embrace failure as a stepping stone toward success.

They became more willing to take risks, learn from mistakes, pivot when necessary, and adapt their approach. Over time, their resilience, creativity, and problem-solving skills significantly improved. This story serves as a powerful reminder that it is okay to fail and make mistakes. Failure should be viewed as an opportunity for learning, growth, and course correction. As a leader, I have learned the importance of creating a safe space where team members feel empowered to take risks, learn from failures, and grow both personally and professionally.

This experience has shaped my leadership philosophy, emphasising the value of embracing failure, encouraging innovation, and fostering a culture that celebrates resilience and continuous learning. It has reinforced the belief that true growth comes not from avoiding failure, but from embracing it, learning from it, pivoting when needed, and emerging stronger on the other side.