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2. Be patient and have faith that it will all work out
While she had the confidence to enthusiastically ask for opportunities, including international experience, Kanthi was anxious about how she would perform as part of a strategic team working on impactful projects, especially when she first moved to the US. Her mentor wisely advised her that there would be projects that would give her the opportunity to shine. It happened time and again.
Looking back, Kanthi would advise patience to her younger self. “I remember points in my career thinking, where am I going? what am I going to end up as? I feel like if I was just a bit more patient, I wouldn’t have put that much stress on myself — and sometimes on others.”
Today, she’s happily married with a 7-year-old daughter. Her faith, family and a strong support network (combined with a regular yoga practice) keep that apprehension at bay.
“My husband is my rock. That gives me this freedom to be the best I can be at work,” she says. “I literally had no faith in all of this, as I was growing up, and I wish I had had a little more faith then, because it worked out.”
3. Focus first on culture and communication
“When I made it to the executive level, I thought I had a lot to prove,” Kanthi recalls. “What I soon realized is, what I thought being a leader was is not really what it is. It’s more of leading the way, motivating the team to work together toward a goal we all want to achieve. That took a lot of learning.”
For Kanthi, who grew up as a self-described bossy, protective sister who would become a standout, learning how to be a leader was a new challenge that she embraced.
Kanthi describes herself as “intense” and “very focused on outcomes,” who wants to push her team to reach their highest potential. Earlier in her career as a leader, a mentor took her aside to offer counsel.
“He said, ‘You remind me of myself — and that’s not a compliment,’” she recalls. “He said, ‘You have to learn to lead with empathy. I hope you do that faster than I did.’ And that was great advice.”