Welcome to our latest edition of ‘Leadership Insights: 3 Questions with…’, our regular interview series where we ask leaders the same three questions and uncover the experiences, perspectives and lessons that have shaped their leadership journeys.
This time, we’re speaking with Priyanki Ahluwalia, Head of Marketing at Lebara Mobile. With a career spanning marketing, communications and brand building across challenger brands, Priyanki brings together commercial thinking with a strong focus on people, creativity and authentic leadership. In her answers, she shares practical reflections on finding your own leadership style, building trust in teams and the lessons she wishes she’d known earlier in her career.
If you could rewind the clock to when you started out on your leadership journey, what advice would you give yourself?
Balance empathy with straightforwardness – Values of empathy are not in conflict with being direct and straightforward when giving difficult feedback. It’s more kind to be as direct as possible, to minimize chances of ambiguity, while still having hard conversations with respect and genuine care for the person on the other side.
Find a coach you align with – This is a different phase of career. Skills and strengths that helped you find success in the journey towards a leadership position may now be coming in your way of effective leadership. Having a coach ( or a trusted mentor) will help immensely in helping you find your strengths and grow as a young leader ( and beyond).
You do not need to be an expert at everything – Precisely because you lead a team, you do not need to know every detail of the function you lead. Trust your people with their craft, your job is to harness their strengths and know enough of what they do to be able to ask curious questions that helps them grow.
What is the best advice you have been given about creating a positive team culture or being a leader?
Avoid emulating anyone as a leader, so you can find your own unique style. Observe leaders and note the characteristics in them you admire. Also note what you do NOT admire and/or would not want to be doing yourself. Then take what feels most authentic to you to be your own unique self as a leader and the spirit you want to bring to your team.
What is the one book or podcast that has most influenced your approach to leadership?
I have two – that I read in parallel. One Bold Move A Day by Shanna A. Hocking and How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith. Both focus on women in leadership and common mistakes most young women leaders make, along with advice on simple changes in communication and attitude that make a huge difference in how you show up as a leader at the workplace, as well as bring more joy and peace in your personal life
Ready to take your leadership to the next level? At Nua Training, we help leaders build the awareness, relationships and habits that enable them and their teams to thrive. Whether you’re looking for one-to-one coaching, interactive workshops, or a tailored leadership development programme, we can support your growth and impact. Get in touch today to explore how we can help you lead with confidence and build a thriving team culture.