Moments of Truth

Perceptions of leadership have long been rooted in public personas and an inadequate understanding of strength and confidence. In this series, senior executives open up about some trials and tribulations they have faced, and how these experiences shaped them as individuals and business leaders today. Their stories are sources of nourishment and courage, and inspire us to build supportive communities that allow leaders to embrace their vulnerability and develop it as a source of strength.

Rethinking Leadership: The virtues of imperfection

Is it time to reassess what good leadership means, and to redefine a few of its attributes? Leadership is an intangible. It is therefore hardly surprising there is a multitude of opinions and views on what attributes make a good leader, and various facets of leadership. There have been several conversations around vulnerability in leadership, and whether it is a sign of weakness or of strength and confidence.

The Executive Presence Of An Empress: Three Ways Women Can Identify Self-Sabotage

I have a client who is a graduate of a prestigious business school. After her education, she went into consulting for a few years. The prestigious MBA and a couple of global postings resulted in her getting an irresistible offer in finance. She enjoyed the work and personally was in a relationship that was headed to the altar. Somewhere after being passed on for a role and the weakening and ultimate demise of her relationship, she said: "the spark" in her had "died" out.

To Establish Executive Presence, Women Leaders Need To Stop Playing Nice

My client, a single child of an overworked single mother, was emotionally rewarded as a child for "not asking for much." As a child, she was responsible and wise beyond her age. This unfettered self-sufficiency continued as she worked her way up the corporate ladder, wherein she took on more than her share of the responsibility and loosely led a team of "easygoing executives."  The problem is what I call the "lenient rescuer leader" accepts underperformance to stay popular and then rescues others once a crisis arises.

Becoming a Leader in the Supportive Environment of INSEAD

Leadership is both science and art. It is so intangible and abstract just like the air, yet such an incredibly critical force that holds ambitious endeavours together like gravity.  Learnings about leadership are so embedded in the INSEAD experience that when I reflect back on my one-year MBA journey, I feel pleasantly surprised by the new leadership wisdom and capability I have developed.

Celebrating Women Who Have Pushed Beyond Limits

We live in a world of constraints - some are physical, some cultural but they are always personal. These mindsets limit our human potential to achieve great things in life and hinder experiences that not only enrich ourselves but also benefit society at large. INSEAD brings together a group of outstanding female alumnae and celebrates women who have pushed their own limits and emerged as leaders in their respective fields. Together, we inspire a new generation of thinkers, builders, movers and shakers. Join these leaders at INSEAD to create positive change. 
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