This is the question we posed to the women leaders: How has your journey of building confidence influenced your leadership style? Can you share how you’ve inspired confidence in others?
Confidence is the most critical paths to leadership. Hence it is incumbent that leaders infuse confidence in the people under them to move up on the path of leadership. Here is how our women leaders are doing it.
Collaboration
Aditi Mukherjee, Chief People Officer at NCDEX, has always seen leadership as being centered on collaboration and inclusivity. While adapting to evolving organizational cultures, her commitment to these values has remained unwavering. She believes diverse perspectives drive innovation but recognizes the challenge – decision-making in such environments could be slow. The key, she notes, is Balance. “Inclusivity fosters creativity, but leadership is also about knowing when to step in, take charge, and drive outcomes.”
Beyond the boardroom, Aditi is deeply invested in women’s empowerment. She dedicates her time to mentoring young HR professionals and supporting NGOs focused on economic independence and education for women. “Authentic leadership isn’t just about professional success,” she says. “It’s about lifting others along the way.” Through her work – both within the corporate world and in social impact – Aditi embodies leadership that extends beyond strategy and execution to make a lasting difference.
Poonam Tandon, Chief Investment Officer at IndiaFirst Life, believes that leadership is about collaboration and empowerment. She has trained freshers in data analysis and strategy development, ensuring they build a strong foundation. She explains, “I encourage my team to take ownership of decisions while focusing on logic and doing what’s right. Every perspective matters, and together, we work towards a common goal.” This approach fosters confidence and collective success.
Priya Prasad, CHRO at Indostar Capital, views confidence as a collective strength. She sees it as being built through teamwork and mutual support. She herself thrives in a collaborative environment, where teamwork not only makes work enjoyable but also builds trust and strengthens relationships. “When you acknowledge and respect others’ contributions, it creates a positive cycle of mutual growth and confidence,” she shares.
Her leadership approach is rooted in active listening and mentorship. She recalls instances where team members struggled with challenges, and by patiently understanding their concerns, she was able to guide them toward solutions. Taking on the role of a coach, she helps colleagues assess situations, explore possibilities, and develop the confidence to overcome hurdles.
For Priya, confidence is more than just an individual trait – it’s a collective strength that flourishes within an organization when people are empowered to voice their ideas, share responsibilities, and support one another. “Trusting my team, encouraging open dialogue, and fostering a culture of shared success has shaped my leadership journey,” she reflects. Her story reinforces the idea that confidence is more than personal – it flourishes in a culture of collaboration.
Trust
Lakshmi Prasanna Susarla, Executive Director at Wells Fargo, believes that self-confidence gradually builds trust. She was able to gain the trust of her stakeholders, which in turn helped her unlock new opportunities. “Impression-confidence-trust: this is how it flows,” she says, emphasizing the natural progression of credibility and influence.
She acknowledges that drawing inspiration from others also happens over time. The career path she chose was initially questioned by many colleagues and friends, but she remained confident in her moves and decisions, which eventually inspired others. She feels happy when people come to her and say that they have followed her path.
For Kripa Krishnamoorthy, SVP, Talent Strategy – Asia at Synchrony, leadership has always been about being the kind of leader she once wished for – open, trusting, secure, someone who removes obstacles, believes in people even when they don’t believe in themselves, and pushes them to be more. She values leadership that connects across differences, a perspective shaped by her experiences working in Dubai, Hong Kong, and multinational corporations. She believes in creating a sense of ‘we’ and a compelling purpose. “It’s a style of tough love, one where respect and trust is as strong as camaraderie,” she says.
She aspires to leave every team stronger than she found it, positioning individuals for larger roles aligned with their purpose. This means showing them paths they may not fully see yet, advocating for them with decision-makers, and helping them build the right networks. In her last 2 roles, she was often called a “super-connector” for bridging gaps between seemingly incongruent groups.
A key lesson she has learned is that while many focus on differences, true leadership lies in finding common ground. This mindset has allowed her to build a diverse and connected network, and she pays it forward by intentionally bringing people together, expanding their circles, and helping them make it work for their own growth.
Strength & Self-Reliance
Confidence isn’t just about self-assurance; it’s about empowering others. For Gita Daya, CIO at Bank Zero, South Africa, leadership journey is a testament to resilience and self-reliance. Early in her career, support was scarce, and she had to figure things out on her own. “I worked relentlessly to understand, to fill knowledge gaps, and to get my hands dirty,” she shares. That journey shaped her leadership approach – one rooted in learning, mentorship, and empowerment. She believes in fostering an environment where knowledge is shared, and people are guided to become the best versions of themselves.
The impact of her leadership is best reflected in the people she has mentored. Many have told her they wouldn’t have had the confidence to step up without her influence. One of her proudest moments was witnessing the transformation of a struggling junior employee with no family support. “I had a few conversations with her, shared my own story, and encouraged her. She turned things around completely, becoming a top performer,” Gita recalls.
For Gita, leadership goes way beyond making decisions – what it is about is shaping lives. Her journey shows that confidence, once nurtured, can create ripples far beyond what one might expect.
For Smitha Sudheendra, ED, Chief Operating Officer -Wealth Business, JM Financial, leadership style is a blend of the many lessons she has gathered over the years. With an ability to adapt, lead with courage, and make bold decisions, she has successfully instilled confidence in her teams. Even after transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship and then back to the corporate world, she built a team and a business despite numerous challenges. Reflecting on her journey, she describes it as humbling and enriching, reinforcing her belief in resilience and determination. “I believe this has percolated into my team,” she states, emphasizing the lasting impact of her leadership approach.
Likewise, Megha Garg, Deputy Head L&H Global Valuation Team, Director/ SVP at Swiss Re, fosters this mindset in her team, ensuring that they recognize their strengths and overcome self-imposed barriers. Confidence is built when people feel valued and empowered to push beyond their perceived limits.
She recalls an instance where a high-performing woman on her team, despite excelling in leadership, struggled with confidence due to her perceived weakness in MS Excel. The team member believed her lack of proficiency in the tool was a limitation that affected her leadership abilities. Megha saw this as an opportunity for growth.
She gradually assigned her Excel-related tasks aligned with her managerial role, allowing her to leverage her strengths while subtly improving her skills. By observing her challenges and offering strategic guidance, Megha helped her transition from feeling hesitant to becoming proficient. Within a year, the team member had not only mastered Excel but had also grown into a more self-assured leader.
Megha’s biggest takeaway? Leadership isn’t defined by mastery of a single tool but by the ability to lead with confidence, adaptability, and vision. For her, success lies in enabling others to break their own barriers and discover the true extent of their potential – something she has carried throughout her career.
Authenticity & Empathy
Paulomi Desai, Chief People Officer at Niwas Housing Finance, echoes this, emphasizing that confidence isn’t about perfection, but about authenticity and empathy. Stepping into a managerial role, she focused on understanding her team’s strengths and growth areas, creating a space where everyone felt valued and empowered. She shares: “Confidence is contagious. When leaders trust and uplift their teams, it fosters a culture of mutual respect and growth.” By leading with honesty and approachability, she has inspired others to believe in themselves, proving that true leadership is about empowering those around you to achieve their best.
Subha Venkataraman, Managing Director – Global Head, Procurement & Third Party Management Program Execution at Citi, has always seen confidence as the foundation of effective leadership. As a Managing Director, she has learned that leadership is not about having all the answers but about being self-aware, empathetic, and adaptable.
Stepping into leadership roles, she embraced collaborative and situational leadership, learning to navigate change with resilience. “Confidence has helped me communicate effectively, manage conflicts, and take calculated risks that drive not just my growth but also that of my team,” she reflects.
When is leadership most rewarding? When it inspires confidence in others, reveals Subha. She actively encourages her team to step beyond their comfort zones, knowing that true growth comes from taking on challenges. Watching them succeed is fuel for her own motivation.
She firmly believes that confidence isn’t about knowing it all – it’s about continuous learning, adaptability, and leading with authenticity. Through her journey, she hopes to inspire more women to break barriers, aim high, and redefine what’s possible.
Shweta Srivastava, Chief Human Resource Officer at SATYA MicroCapital, shares a similar perspective. She found confidence to be the cornerstone of her leadership evolution. It strengthened her resilience, enabling her to guide teams through uncertainty with clarity and conviction. More importantly, it shaped her ability to empower others – encouraging autonomy, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture where individuals took ownership of their growth.
During a company restructuring, uncertainty threatened team morale. Shweta chose transparency over fear, reframing challenges as opportunities. “By demonstrating resilience and maintaining a forward-thinking mindset, I inspired my team to embrace change with confidence.” she shares.
This shift in perspective not only kept them motivated but also strengthened their ability to navigate future challenges with courage and optimism. For Shweta, confidence is not just about self-assurance – it’s about instilling it in others, turning adversity into a catalyst for growth.
Learning
Arti Shekhar, Sr Exec VP & Chief Compliance Officer at Kotak Mahindra Prime, has shaped her leadership style through continuous learning, drawing insights from various mentors. Over the years, she has embraced qualities from different leaders, cultivating a style that blends democracy with coaching. She fosters an open environment where team members actively contribute ideas while also investing in their growth through mentorship and knowledge-sharing. However, she believes leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all – it adapts to the role, team dynamics, and nature of work.
Some of the most fulfilling moments, she says, come when skeptics eventually recognize her Skill, challenging their own biases. “Such experiences don’t just validate my journey – they inspire confidence in other women, proving that hurdles can be overcome.”
Having spent over 20 years in global banking, Rashmi Murthy Krishna, Head of Institutional Business Governance and Controls, Group Capability Centre, ANZ Bengaluru, has seen the industry evolve. She has witnessed and contributed to its evolution – from the early days of service centers to the rise of global capability centers. She recalls: “Being part of this journey gave me the confidence to shape and mature these models further.” The strong value system of her leaders played a crucial role in her growth, inspiring her to lead with integrity and purpose.
Her career has been a continuous learning experience, allowing her to build centers of excellence, expand service offerings, and refine end-to-end processes. As a mentor, she is often asked about stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Her advice? Cultivate a growth mindset, form meaningful connections with new teams, and support collective success. “Every individual is a leader in their own right,” she says. “The art lies in assembling a team that delivers the best outcomes.”
Conclusion
So our ladies have bared their approaches to sowing confidence and driving others to success and leadership. Their methods – collaboration, trust, self-reliance, authenticity, empathy, self-learning – are proven techniques for generating results. The more these methods are adopted, the greater the impact.
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