Name: A Vaishnavi

Title: Associate Data Engineer

Organisation: Lowes India

A Vaishnavi is a BE graduate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from BMS College of Engineering, currently working as an Associate Data Engineer at Lowe’s India. With a keen interest in AIML, she is passionate about exploring its depths. She has a remarkable journey of leadership in the Leo movement, having served as Charted Club President of Leo Satva, District President, and now the Multiple District Joint Secretary as a Leo Lion. Beyond her professional and leadership pursuits, Vaishnavi is an adventure enthusiast and a movie buff who enjoys diving into new experiences.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Vaishnavi's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

As a leader, one of the most challenging aspects for me has been striking the right balance between diverse responsibilities and ensuring that my team stays motivated and aligned with our goals. Managing expectations, fostering collaboration among individuals with different perspectives, and driving impactful initiatives have tested my adaptability and communication skills.

Another challenge has been maintaining a balance between my professional commitments and leadership roles, ensuring I give my best to both without compromising on either. However, these challenges have also been my greatest learning experiences, shaping me into a more resilient and empathetic leader.

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

My journey to leadership began as a personal challenge to overcome my fear of stage fright and improve my communication skills. I had so many ideas and a deep desire to make a difference, but I often felt that my inability to express myself effectively in front of a large audience made all my hard work seem impossible to achieve. Determined to change this, I joined the Leo movement, hoping to develop myself while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Starting as the Charted Club President of Leo Satva, I began to step out of my comfort zone, slowly building my confidence and refining my public speaking abilities. Along the way, I realized I wasn’t alone—so many others faced similar challenges. That realization motivated me to help others overcome their fears and grow, just as I was learning to do.

This newfound confidence and leadership experience also helped me step into other roles, such as being a Core Organizer for South India’s largest tech fest, Phase Shift. In this role, I was able to effectively integrate my technical skills with business management to secure sponsorships and ensure the event’s success. It was incredibly fulfilling to create opportunities for students to gain real-world industry experience through such initiatives.

As I took on bigger roles, like District President and now Multiple District Joint Secretary as a Leo Lion, I found that acts of service not only strengthened the communities around me but also helped me and others develop personally. Looking back, what began as an attempt to overcome my own limitations has become a journey of empowering others and creating lasting change.

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

"As I have recently started my professional career as an Associate Data Engineer, balancing my journey in LEOism and focusing on my career has been both exciting and challenging. Here’s how I typically structure my day to manage both effectively:

Morning:

• 6:00 AM: I wake up, freshen up, and go for a 30-minute walk to energize myself for the day ahead.

• 6:30 AM - 7:00 AM: I take a bath and spend quality time with my family.

• 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: I dedicate this time to improving my technical skills or learning something new to stay updated in my field.

• 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: I sort out emails and prioritize my tasks for the day.

• 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: I spend some time preparing for competitive exams to stay ahead in my career.

Work Hours:

• 10:30 AM - 7:30 PM: My workday begins, where I focus on my tasks and attend meetings with my colleagues.

• Breaks: I take regular 30-minute breaks to recharge. During these breaks, I enjoy watching interesting documentaries or movies from different parts of the world. I love picking up a few words in different languages as a way to connect with diverse cultures.

Evening:

• 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM: After work, I go for another walk to shake off the fatigue from sitting in front of a laptop all day.

• 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: I have dinner and then focus on my responsibilities as the Joint Secretary for the Multiple District Leo team.

Night:

• 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: I either prepare for upcoming council meetings, participate in social services, or plan the next steps for our initiatives.

• 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM: To wind down, I read a book for 30 minutes, which helps me relax and reflect on the day.

• 10:30 PM: I conclude my day and head to bed, ensuring I get enough rest for the next day.

On weekends, my schedule is more flexible, with time allotted for council meetings, community service, and catching up on personal interests. This structure helps me maintain a balance between my career, personal development, and passion for LEOism."

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

As a leader, one recent lesson I’ve learned—and been reminded of—is the importance of listening actively and empathetically. It’s easy to get caught up in decision-making, planning, and driving initiatives, but leadership isn’t just about directing; it’s about understanding the people you’re leading.

I realized that sometimes, what a team member truly needs is not a solution but simply someone to hear them out. Actively listening to their concerns, ideas, or struggles creates a sense of trust and fosters a collaborative environment. This not only strengthens relationships but also encourages innovation and motivation within the team.

Another key lesson is to embrace flexibility. Plans don’t always unfold as expected, and being adaptable while maintaining focus on the bigger picture is crucial. It’s a reminder that challenges are opportunities to grow and find creative solutions. These lessons reaffirm that leadership is a continuous journey of learning, evolving, and uplifting others.

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?

An uncommon book that has had a profound impact on my leadership journey is “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. It’s not your typical leadership book—it blends leadership with creativity, psychology, and music, offering a fresh perspective on how to lead and inspire others.

The book introduced me to the concept of “giving an A”, which is the idea of assuming that people are capable and brilliant from the start, instead of waiting for them to prove their worth. This approach encourages leaders to foster a culture of possibility where everyone feels empowered to succeed, knowing they have the support and belief of their leaders.

It also emphasizes transforming obstacles into opportunities and reframing situations in ways that open up new possibilities. This resonated with me as I learned to view challenges not as roadblocks but as moments to explore creative solutions and grow as a leader.

What truly impacted me was how the Zanders linked leadership to music, particularly Benjamin Zander’s work as a conductor. They taught me that, much like in an orchestra, leadership requires harmony, collaboration, and understanding that every team member has a unique role to play.

This book helped me shift from a results-driven mindset to a more holistic, people-focused approach, fostering a sense of possibility and creativity within my team.

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

If I could give one piece of advice to a young person aspiring to be a leader, it would be: “Lead with empathy and humility.”

Great leaders aren’t defined by their titles or accomplishments but by their ability to understand and connect with the people they lead. Listening, genuinely caring about others’ needs, and helping them grow are what inspire loyalty and foster collaboration. At the same time, remain humble—recognize that leadership is about serving others and being open to learning from every one, no matter their position.

Leadership is a journey of constant learning and growth, and it’s built on trust, respect, and the ability to uplift those around you. Lead by example, stay true to your values, and always be willing to adapt and evolve.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? One meaningful story from my time as a leader that stands out is from when I was serving as the District President in the Leo movement. We had a big community service project coming up, but due to unforeseen circumstances, our team faced a lot of hurdles in terms of logistics, funding, and coordination. Morale was low, and people started doubting whether we could pull it off.

Instead of focusing on the challenges, I decided to meet with each team member individually to listen to their concerns and ideas. By understanding where they were coming from, I realized that many of them were feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated. I took time to reassure them, shared the bigger vision behind the project, and reminded them of how much impact our collective effort would have on the community.

We then restructured our approach, broke tasks into manageable steps, and empowered team members to take ownership of smaller segments of the project. With renewed energy and a sense of unity, everyone pulled together, and we not only completed the project on time but exceeded our initial goals.

This experience taught me that leadership isn’t just about giving directions or handling problems—it’s about creating an environment where people feel heard, supported, and empowered. When people believe in the vision and feel valued, they’ll go above and beyond to help achieve it. This story reinforced the importance of empathy, clear communication, and collaboration in leadership.