This is the question we posed to the women leaders: Are there any specific habits / practices you follow to build and maintain your confidence over time?
Confidence is not an innate trait but a skill developed through experience, resilience, and continuous effort. Leaders across industries cultivate it through learning, stepping out of comfort zones, and embracing challenges. Some strengthen their confidence by expanding their knowledge, while others rely on mentorship and networking. Many emphasize discipline, self-care, and adaptability as essential components. Confidence is not built in isolation – it thrives with support and self-awareness.
As these accomplished professionals share their insights, and what emerges is that true confidence comes from growth, embracing change, and taking control of one’s journey, proving it is a lifelong practice rather than a fixed quality.
Be Bold
Kripa Krishnamoorthy, SVP, Talent Strategy – Asia at Synchrony, lives by the guiding principle: “Be bold and try what scares you.” She believes that confidence grows by embracing challenges – whether it’s asking for help, making decisions to shape the life one desires, taking on more responsibility than expected, or stepping into a challenging project. To her, the key is to be Bold with a capital B.
She views life as a 2-way door, where most decisions are reversible, and even if they aren’t, the experience always adds value. She emphasizes that “The risk is rarely as great as it seems.”
Equally important to her is gratitude. She believes that confidence isn’t built in isolation – it is reinforced by the people who stand by during difficult times. “Your tribe matters,” she says, urging others to acknowledge, appreciate, and lean on those who support them.
Be Consistent & Authentic
Gita Daya, CIO of Bank Zero, South Africa, places a strong emphasis on consistency and authenticity as essential components of confidence: “In this way, you don’t need to remember how to be or what to say – you will just know,” she explains.
She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, stating that acknowledging when one does not know something can be a grounding experience: “I find that the more grounded and comfortable I am with myself, the more confident I have become,” she shares.
Preparation is another key aspect of her approach: “In situations where I am not familiar with a topic, I do some research ahead of time so that I feel more comfortable and confident,” she adds.
Do Meditation & Yoga
Kirti Gulaati, EVP – Branch & Affluent Banking at Yes Bank, believes that developing and sustaining confidence is a continuous journey. Meditation plays a crucial role in helping her stay centred, especially in high-pressure situations. “Consistently reading expands my viewpoint and keeps me updated, enabling me to make well-informed choices,” she shares.
She also highlights the importance of physical and mental well-being. “Engaging in morning yoga allows me to remain both physically and mentally healthy, enabling me to face each day with clarity and vitality,” she adds. These practices help her navigate challenges with resilience and lead with confidence.
Take A Holistic Approach
Lakshmi Prasanna Susarla, Executive Director at Wells Fargo, takes a holistic approach to confidence. She is an Indian classical singer, believes that confidence is a ‘must-have’ quality for a performing artist. She practices meditation and spiritual kriyas that help with mental clarity.
She always enhances her understanding of emotional intelligence and intuition, considering them very powerful tools to improve not just confidence but also other larger aspects of life and its purpose.
Improve The Self
Smitha Sudheendra, ED, Chief Operating Officer -Wealth Business, JM Financial, focuses on constant self-learning and improvement. She regularly reads, attends workshops, and watches inspiring speakers. Practicing in front of a mirror helps refine her articulation and presence. Her mantra is always to: “Be a better version of myself.”
Seek Feedback
Subha Venkataraman, Managing Director – Global Head of Procurement & Third-Party Management Program Execution at Citi, believes that confidence is not an innate gift but a skill that is honed over time through triumphs, challenges, experiences, and relationships. She focuses on her strengths while working on areas for development.
She has made it a habit to seek feedback and acts on relevant suggestions. She never stops learning and investing in herself. She prioritizes intentional networking, seeing it as invaluable for growth. Additionally, she believes in the power of dressing the part. Power dressing projects confidence and helps her feel her best, even on challenging days.
Achieve Discipline & Work Life Balance
Arti Shekhar, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer at Kotak Mahindra Prime, has a crisp formula for fostering confidence: “Discipline is key to achieving success.” She emphasizes the importance of rising above mediocrity and stepping out of one’s comfort zone, whether by learning a new skill, pursuing a course, or taking on new assignments.
She also values work-life balance, recognizing that regular time off, creating memories with family and friends, personal time, exercise, and prayer are all crucial for overall well-being.
A guiding philosophy in her life is what she refers to as P.I.E:
Purpose – Quoting John Maxwell, she shares: “Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.”
Integrity – She aligns with C.S. Lewis’ words: “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
Excellence – To her, success means always striving to do more, believing in the mantra: “Always go the extra mile.”
Reverse the Downward Spiral
Megha Garg, Deputy Head L&H Global Valuation Team, Director/ SVP at Swiss Re, learned a valuable lesson from her mother: to never see herself as a victim of circumstances. While this is easier said than done, there were times when she felt unfairly treated or that the odds were stacked against her. In such moments, it was easy to spiral downward. To counter this, she focused on what was within her control and took action, even if it was just a small step. Over time, these efforts created a significant impact.
For instance, a few years ago, she felt she wasn’t getting the visibility she needed with senior leadership to influence her role effectively. After trying several strategies, she secured a 10-minute spot in a strategic thinking competition judged by senior leaders: “In those 10 minutes, I showcased my clarity of thought, domain knowledge, and communication skills,” she shared. As a result, one of the leaders invited her to join an upcoming project and later became a mentor, guiding her toward further career growth.
Avoid Bias
Poonam Tandon, Chief Investment Officer at IndiaFirst Life, practices staying updated on the latest economic and political developments. She views this as essential for an investment professional. She emphasizes the importance of reading news daily and logically interpreting it to make informed investment decisions.
Poonam advises: “Always look ahead and strategize for the future. One needs to be agile and change or modify along the way with new developments.” She stresses the need to avoid being anchored to a particular bias and encourages being open to new ideas and strategies to catch trends early and benefit from them.
Be Physically & Mentally Healthy
Priya Prasad, CHRO at Indostar Capital, puts forth a beautiful principle: When one has conviction, discipline naturally follows. She makes it a point to take notes and use them as guidelines to achieve goals. Priya enjoys deconstructing challenges, which provides her with clarity and helps in accomplish set objectives. She also values the power of delegation, noting that it not only aids in developing her team but also fosters a sense of shared accomplishment.
Priya is a strong advocate for physical fitness, particularly for women. She practices clean eating and follows a regular exercise routine, believing it helps prevent ailments and improves focus at work and home. She also maintains a strong work-life balance, enjoying activities like painting, cooking, and running during her weekends, which she considers a form of meditation. She asserts: “Mental health is not a jargon anymore.”
She believes a balanced life is crucial for confidence, allowing her to face each day with a positive attitude. “Balanced work and personal lives give me the confidence to face the day with a positive attitude,” she says.
Read, Learn
Shweta Srivastava, Chief Human Resource Officer at SATYA MicroCapital, actively cultivates her confidence through intentional habits and practices. She prioritizes continuous learning by dedicating time to reading industry reports, listening to leadership podcasts, and attending workshops or networking events to stay ahead of trends.
Each morning, Shweta sets clear intentions by writing down 3 goals and one strength to focus on, which helps her start the day with a positive mindset. She also practices self-reflection through journaling in the evenings, noting what went well and how she can improve. To reinforce her confidence, she engages in positive self-talk and seeks guidance from mentors.
Her habits also include mentors others, which she finds very rewarding. Shweta emphasizes the importance of self-care, explaining: “Mental, physical, and emotional well-being are essential for long-term confidence and fulfillment.” She ensures she has the energy, resilience, and clarity to show up as her best self every day by taking care of herself.
Practice
Abhishikta Chadda Munjal, CRO at IIFL Home Finance, firmly believes in the art of practice, stating: “Consistently practicing and honing my skills helps me develop a sense of mastery and competence, which in turn boosts my confidence.”
She also emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, both her own and those of others. “I recognize that mistakes are an inevitable part of growth and development, and I make a conscious effort to analyze and learn from them. This helps me refine my approach, avoid similar mistakes in the future, and develop resilience,” she explains.
For Abhishikta, gaining knowledge is another essential practice, as she believes knowledge is power. “Continually expanding my knowledge base helps me feel more confident and equipped to tackle new challenges,” she notes. By incorporating these habits into her daily routine, she has successfully built and maintained her confidence, fostering continuous growth and self-development.
Broaden Perspectives
Aditi Mukherjee, Chief People Officer at NCDEX, believes that building and maintaining confidence is a continuous process, requiring consistent effort and self-growth. She follows several key practices to ensure personal and professional evolution.
Her primary habit is expanding her knowledge by reading within her core domain and across various fields. “This helps me broaden my perspective and engage in diverse conversations,” she explains. Secondly, she pushes herself beyond her comfort zone by setting ambitious goals and regularly trying something new, whether it be a professional milestone, learning a new skill, or taking on a personal challenge.
Networking plays a crucial role in her confidence-building journey. “I actively interact with professionals from different industries and backgrounds, even those I don’t know personally,” she shares, emphasizing that such engagements challenge preconceived notions, enhance communication skills, and open doors to new opportunities.
Additionally, Aditi believes in paying it forward. She participates in mentoring initiatives for aspiring women leaders, stating: “Guiding others reinforces my confidence and creates a cycle of empowerment, helping more women step into leadership roles.”
Bottom Line
In conclusion, building and maintaining confidence is a gradual and ongoing process. It requires consistent practice, self-reflection, and learning from both successes and setbacks. The leaders highlighted here demonstrate how intentional habits – such as expanding knowledge, embracing challenges, seeking feedback, and nurturing self-care – can steadily bolster confidence. Through resilience and a commitment to continuous growth, they exemplify how confidence evolves, ultimately empowering them to face obstacles and thrive in both personal and professional spheres.
smriti@glocalinfomart.com manoj@bankingfrontiers.com
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