Name: Nishargo Nigar

Title: CEO & CTO

Organisation: Cheesecake Technologies

Hello, I am Nishargo Nigar (NN/Doppel-N/Nish), a serial entrepreneur.

Special Recognitions:

1. Finalist for the "Ada Lovelace Special Recognition Award for Women in ICT" at the WomenTech Global Awards 2023.

2. Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 Nominee.

Despite having multiple businesses globally, my primary focuses are Cheesecake Technologies, a software company, and Bolo, an AI-based mental health startup. I am dedicated to fostering a workplace where team members feel valued and encouraged to share their ideas. My door is always open, whether you need support or just want to talk. No matter your position, intern or board member, I believe in treating everyone with equal respect and consideration.

😊 Check out my course "Tech Entrepreneurship" on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/course/tech-entrepreneurship/ or simply Google "Tech Entrepreneurship Udemy." It's the only course on this topic on the platform!

😉 Get my books on Rokomari: https://www.rokomari.com/book/author/126711/nishargo-nigar. They are written for AI and entrepreneurship enthusiasts, as well as anyone who can't wait to visit Germany!

😃 P.S. In case of medical emergencies, my blood group is AB+. I am an organ and tissue donor registered at Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA), meaning that after death, my organs and tissues will be donated for medical purposes.

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

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

Building trust is the foundation of strong relationships with team members, customers, and stakeholders. My approach includes:

1. Transparency and Open Communication: I prioritize being clear and upfront about goals, challenges, and decisions. When leading a team at Cheesecake Technologies or collaborating with clients, I ensure everyone understands the vision and their role in achieving it.

2. Empathy and Active Listening: I make it a point to understand the perspectives and concerns of others. This involves being approachable, asking thoughtful questions, and truly paying attention to their input. Ideas from employees or feedback from clients are always valued and acted upon.

3. Keeping Commitments: Trust grows when actions align with promises. I focus on setting achievable expectations and delivering consistently. This applies to meeting deadlines, fulfilling responsibilities, and maintaining high standards of quality in my work.

4. Empowering Others: I create an environment where people feel encouraged to innovate, learn from mistakes, and grow. For team members, this means offering opportunities to develop their skills. For clients, it means ensuring exceptional service that exceeds expectations.

5. Leading with Integrity: I take ownership of my actions, being accountable for both successes and areas needing improvement. This commitment to integrity is evident in my work as an entrepreneur.

By staying true to these principles, I have built trust-based relationships that drive collaboration and success.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

To me, ‘VISION’ is the long-term dream that inspires purpose, while ‘MISSION’ is the actionable path to achieve it.

VISION answers "why we do what we do," shaping the legacy we aim to create. It drives innovation, impact, and direction. MISSION answers "how we achieve it," guiding daily actions and decisions with focus and consistency. In practice, vision and mission shape everything: They align team members, ensuring individual goals contribute to a shared purpose. They set customer expectations, ensuring value and reliability.

They guide stakeholders, balancing long-term sustainability with meaningful progress. It’s about embedding them in every action, decision, and outcome—not just words, but a way of doing business.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

Empowering people means creating an environment where they feel trusted, supported, and motivated to succeed.

My recommendations would be:

1. Provide Clear Goals: Share a clear vision and set expectations, so individuals know their role in the bigger picture.

2. Stop Micromanaging: Trust your team to take ownership of their work. Give them the autonomy to make decisions and learn from their experiences.

3. Encourage Growth: Offer opportunities for training, mentorship, and skill development to help them reach their full potential.

4. Recognize Contributions: Regularly acknowledge and celebrate their efforts and achievements.

5. Create a Safe Space: Foster an environment where ideas, creativity, and even mistakes are welcomed as part of the growth process.

Empowerment thrives when leaders guide, support, and trust their teams rather than controlling every detail.

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

One of the most impactful mentors in my leadership journey is John C. Maxwell, particularly through his book The 5 Levels of Leadership.

Maxwell’s concept of leadership as a journey, not a position, deeply resonated with me. He emphasizes that true leadership is about relationships, trust, and empowering others to grow. This perspective transformed how I approach my role as a leader in my business, Cheesecake Technologies.

A meaningful example of this came when I was working with a team member struggling to meet deadlines. Instead of focusing on the immediate issues, I applied Maxwell’s principle of investing in people. I took the time to understand their challenges, offered mentorship, and equipped them with tools to manage their workload better. Over time, their performance improved, and they became one of the most reliable contributors on the team.

Maxwell’s teachings remind me that leadership is about lifting others up and building a foundation of trust and growth. It’s a philosophy I aim to carry into every interaction, whether with team members, clients, or collaborators.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

Leadership is as much about restraint as it is about action. I maintain focus by prioritizing what truly matters and avoiding common pitfalls.

1. Don’t Micromanage: I trust my team to take ownership of their work and focus on guiding them rather than controlling every detail.

2. Don’t Chase Every Opportunity: I have learned to evaluate opportunities carefully, focusing on those that align with our vision and bring long-term value.

3. Don’t Neglect Self-Care: Leadership demands clarity and energy, so I ensure I take time to recharge and maintain my well-being.

4. Don’t Overcommit: I have learned to say no to things that could dilute my focus, ensuring I deliver on my key responsibilities effectively.

By being intentional about what I don’t do, I create space to lead with clarity, purpose, and impact.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

I believe that planning is essential for success, but it must be adaptable. Here is how I approach it on different time scales:

1. Weekly Planning: At the start of each week, I break down my tasks based on urgency and importance. I focus on key deliverables, setting clear objectives, and allocating time for both deep work and collaboration. I also leave space for flexibility, knowing that unexpected challenges will arise.

2. Monthly Planning: For the month ahead, I align my goals with broader business objectives, like driving growth for Cheesecake Technologies. I review milestones, track progress, and adjust strategies where necessary to stay on course.

3. Yearly Planning: On a yearly basis, I set both personal and professional goals. This includes major projects, such as launching new services or products, and long-term career milestones. I also reflect on past achievements and areas for improvement, adjusting my goals to ensure continued growth.

By staying organized with short-term and long-term plans, while remaining flexible and adaptable, I can maintain focus on what truly matters and move closer to my vision.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

Effective delegation is key to being a successful leader, and it often starts with trust and clear communication.

My advice to a young leader struggling with delegation would be:

1. Trust Your Team: Delegating requires you to trust that others can handle the task. Start by giving small responsibilities and gradually increasing them as your team builds confidence.

2. Be Clear and Specific: When delegating, ensure you communicate expectations, deadlines, and any necessary resources. Clear instructions help prevent misunderstandings.

3. Let Go of Perfectionism: Understand that others may approach tasks differently. Focus on the outcome rather than needing every detail to align with your personal method.

4. Empower, Don’t Micromanage: Give your team the autonomy to solve problems on their own. Offer support when needed, but avoid stepping in too quickly.

5. Learn from Mistakes: Delegation doesn’t always go smoothly. Use mistakes as learning opportunities, both for yourself and your team, to improve processes for next time.

Delegation is about building trust, fostering growth, and recognizing that leadership is not about doing everything yourself—it’s about empowering others to succeed.