Growth mindset and mentorship were game-changers for me

For women navigating the career ladder, the journey is rarely linear. I have learned that the strongest leaders aren’t those who hold on to what they know but those who embrace change and have the courage to unlearn and reinvent when the world demands it. Over my 25-year journey across digital startups, global media houses, and technology companies, curiosity has been my compass. My time at Harvard Business School reshaped my approach to leadership and reminded me that reinvention is not a detour from success; it is the very path to it.

For me, leadership has never been about chasing quick wins but about charting a long-term vision that inspires others and creates sustainable impact.

Multiplier effect of mentorship | Great mentors don’t just offer easy answers, but they hand you the courage to face tougher questions. The most valuable ones in my journey challenged my assumptions, encouraged me to break past self-doubt and perfection paralysis. That’s why I believe in a mentorship cascade: when today’s mentees become tomorrow’s mentors, leadership doesn’t just grow, it multiplies. For women especially, mentorship goes beyond advice – it’s about advocacy, access, and opening doors that might otherwise stay closed. In my own conversations with women employees and aspiring leaders, I’ve found that the real value lies in listening deeply, addressing unique challenges, and creating tangible growth opportunities.

Championing a growth mindset | A growth mindset is the foundation of lasting success. It means refusing to stay boxed in by conventional thinking, staying curious even when it’s easier to rely on what you already know. Discomfort can bring uneasiness as it shows up in moments that test your resilience, and sometimes even your confidence. What anchors me is a North Star vision, a larger purpose of driving transformation for people, businesses, and culture. That’s why I encourage teams to step into paths that aren’t fully mapped. Ambiguity can be uncomfortable, but it’s also where creativity comes alive.

My advice to all women aspiring to become future leaders:
➤ Prioritise your well-being: Success is unsustainable without it. Prioritise rest, health, and boundaries – because when you protect your energy, you protect your confidence and clarity as a leader.
➤ Choose your battles wisely: Success is shaped by the choices we make. Focus on the areas where you can create the right impact. Saying no with clarity creates space to say yes where it matters.
➤ Stay visible and vocal: Capability alone isn’t enough, it needs to be heard and seen. Speak with clarity and let your work speak in ways that others can’t ignore.
➤ Balance ambition with empathy: True leadership is more than sharp thinking, it’s about pairing intellect with emotional intelligence. It builds trust, inspires teams, and creates lasting influence.
➤ Embrace technology as a partner: Think of technology like a new language. You don’t need to be fluent overnight, but even 30 minutes a day invested in learning sharpens your edge.

Bhawna Agarwal is SVP & MD at HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise) India

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