1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

As per my experience challenges keep on changing as per your path, unless you learn and adapt from challenges as opportunities. For me the biggest challenge (opportunity) in the last few years has been putting across path breaking ideas to audience\people who are resistant to change.

2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I started my career with EXL in 2005, this being my 2nd innings with this organisation. I started my career as an back office executive, however with great leaders and better human force around me I learnt, imbibed and worked on my skills adapting to new roles and challenges helped me grow quickly. While I write this I reflect back on my journey, I can say my hunger for becoming better professional and successful led me to ask the right questions (My fav one - I don't know how to do it, but If I am coached I will excel in doing it with innovation). I have worked with amazing leaders who don't boast about their designations which also helped me be humble and a vivid learner.

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

Well, I must say that my days are a lot more structured now than they were 5 years ago before I adopted a few principles of spending time with myself. Adapting this mindset has helped me to become more organized and plan ahead.

Since, I manage multiple geographies my day usually starts at 9 AM IST. I avoid picking up my phone and pick up my day journal instead.

I start with 5 things I am grateful for, which are to do for the day along with a glass of lemon and honey In lukewarm water. I then move on to some stretching and chit chat with family. It clearly sets the tone for the day.

After marathon meetings, multiple project updates, intermittently posting on social media handles. My day ends with reading for 45 mins with some deep breathing exercises which helps me clear my head.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

The most important leadership lesson that I have learned is to identify every team member’s greatest strengths and amplify the best of what they each bring to the table by assigning them work in which they can excel and feel confident.

Ultimately, people will remain more motivated if they are excelling at their jobs and they will feel inspired to organically learn new things over time. It is always demoralizing when your leader gives you assignments that are not reflective of the unique attributes that you bring to the table.

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?

My all time favourite is "48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene it always gives me a fresh perspective about leadership and humanity. This book challenges me to be brave, innovative and help my colleagues understand why it is okay to pivot from doing business as usual. It also reminds me that leadership is not a final destination, but it is an ever-evolving journey.

Also, I always go back to Joseph Murphy - Power of Subconscious Mind which helps me discover the unlimited potential inside each one of us.

6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

In a large enterprise, the only way to truly build leadership capacity is to lead by example along with continuous investment in developing talent within an organization. I always challenge myself to make sure that my audio is reflective of my video.

I think that a fundamental component of the human experience is to believe people whose actions mirror their words. Oftentimes, I talk about the power of inclusion & diversity and the reasons that we all must lean into this concept, but I also demonstrate it by my hiring practices, the courageous conversations on tough topics that I curate for big internal audiences, and by demonstrating my vulnerability when I don't know the answer by asking others for insights.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

In my experience, I can recall back in 2015 when I was going through personal challenges in my life. I came across amazing leaders who guided me and also I had the awakening that various project management tools we use at work don't leverage the same for our personal lives, leading to an unhealthy work life balance and losing out on valuable time you can spend with loved ones. Post this enlightenment my relationship with myself, peers & co workers, clients & with the universe improved as my story telling skills helped me immensely in inspiring others and making complex creative ideas execution simpler as I brought them on the table. Also, I discovered my passion of helping and inspiring people across the globe. I found most of my potential which even I wasn't aware of a decade back, coming from a small town as a dreamer to a leadership role along with social media influencer the journey has been extraordinary.

I am truly grateful to share my network with my colleagues and offer best practices for the ways in which corporate organizations should be leveraging insights from one another to ultimately help influence positive change in the world.