I still remember, my first call at the Expedition for Women Leading in India, run by Women Emerging. Sitting at my desk with my notebook, I had a strange mix of curiosity and tiredness. My workdays were very exhausting and long— deadlines stacked on deadlines, projects that pulled me in different directions, and the quiet, constant pressure to “lead with perfection.” I expected tools, frameworks, roadmap, a long exhausting list of tasks again! Instead, I heard this:
Guide is not set in stone, and explorers will be building on the map for other women in the process.
That moment, I realised this is not a quick fix for efficiency—rather something different: a way of leading that feels like me. I’ve spent years navigating fast-paced environments, moving between humanitarian work, strategy, storytelling, and technology. In all these spaces, leadership often looks like clarity, decisiveness, pace, and visible strength. This expedition invited me into a different texture of leadership—one woven through presence, reflection, questions, and community. It was less about “how to lead” and more about “how to lead in a way that is deeply aligned with who you are.” And my heart just jumped with joy, “If that’s leading, I’m in” And this emotion coincides with Julia Middleton’s’ book with the same title.
If that’s leading, I’m in!
Slowing Down Enough to Hear Myself
One of the most valuable gifts of this journey was permission to slow down. It sounds simple. But I hadn’t done that in months. The expedition created a space where silence wasn’t an interruption but a tool; where pause wasn’t hesitation but wisdom. That moment changed something for me. It felt like the first step back to myself. I learned that clarity often emerges not when we push harder, but when we listen better. And the expedition brought together some phenomenal explorers to learn from.
One of the most powerful exercises asked us to trace our essence — the thread that runs through our lives, shaping how we lead—the stories, values, and truths that sit beneath all the doing. It centered on the idea that our leadership is not just a set of learned skills, but an expression of who we are at our core—our “Essence.” Each of the elements shared reflects a deep, often intergenerational influence—some visible, others more subtle—that affects how we lead, relate, and decide.
I thought about my mother, my family, my privileges or the lack of privileges. Essence is not fixed or universal, but layered and unique to each woman. The expedition called for more authentic, grounded reflection —one that acknowledges pain, celebrates heritage, and listens deeply to inner wisdom and embodied knowledge. Understanding my essence helped me notice where I show up authentically—and where I compromise or shrink. It challenged me to ask:
What does it look like to lead from who I am, not who I think I should be?
That realization felt like coming home.
Act of Jettisoning
One conversation during the expedition stayed with me. I began to see that leadership is not a fixed posture, but a dynamic, evolving expression of self-awareness. The idea of “jettisoning” elements that no longer serves my leadership style called for a degree of honesty that isn’t always comfortable. I also feel letting go of these elements is not a single act; it’s a practice, a daily choice to release what no longer aligns with the leader I’m becoming. To me, leadership is not about having it all figured out. It’s about being willing to show up as I am — honest, evolving, and in motion.
Protecting My Energy and Expression
During the expedition, I began to notice patterns: what restores me, what drains me. I came away with a simple but grounding commitment—to lead in a way that doesn’t cost me my wellbeing. Energy renewal—whether through personal hobbies or meaningful connections—as equally vital for long-term resilience and impact. I realized that personal energy and professional energy often intersect, shaping how we lead and engage with others. Setting boundaries, preserving energy as a leader, and reflecting on energy blockers are essential practices for sustaining both personal and group effectiveness.
I learned that leadership is most visible in how we express ourselves, and that expression flows from our essence and elements. This helped me see my vulnerability differently—especially in hard conversations—allowing me to show up with more authenticity, empathy, and trust.
What I’m Carrying Forward
When people ask me what the expedition gave me, I tell them: A way back to my own leadership.
Not a perfect version of it but an honest one. A softer, steadier, more grounded one. As I return to my work, I’m pausing more—responding with presence instead of reacting with urgency. I’m leading from alignment, creating more intentional spaces for shared thinking and honest questions. These sound simple, but they’re transformative in practice.
Most importantly, I’m choosing to lead in ways that feel true to me — not in what it is “supposed” to look like. The Women Emerging Expedition helped me see that leadership doesn’t have to be louder, harder, or faster. It can be rooted, relational, intuitive, and courageous in quieter ways.
I didn’t walk away with a new identity. I walked away with a renewed sense of self. And perhaps that is the most powerful leadership shift of all.
If this is what leading can feel like — connected, grounded, relational, reflective — then I’m in.
