The Shape of Work

#35: Shilpi Singh on how managers and leaders can inspire and achieve extraordinary results with energy-specific leadership

July 16, 2021 Springworks Season 1 Episode 35
The Shape of Work
#35: Shilpi Singh on how managers and leaders can inspire and achieve extraordinary results with energy-specific leadership
Show Notes

In this episode of The Shape of Work podcast, Springworks’ Product Specialist, Junius Dsilva talks to Shilpi Singh, a Leadership Coach and Co-founder of The Unhotel Company (a travel experience company) and Studio4 (a digital storytelling firm).

In addition to being the Co-founder of two companies, Shilpi has coached and mentored more than 500 women across industries and helped them build their careers. Being a flag-bearer of women's empowerment, she believes that every woman should be financially independent.

In our conversation, Shilpi explains how managers and leaders from all walks of life can use the principles of energy-specific Leadership to inspire and achieve extraordinary results.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
 
Gender Stereotypes: India Specific or Global
 
Shilpi says that gender stereotypes exist across the globe. However, what she perceives from her seat of privilege might differ from the viewpoint of women in an underprivileged seat. On the positive side, women and leaders are speaking about gender stereotypes and narratives.
 
“Women should take small steps if not big to claim their lives and overcome the stereotypes.”
 
Key Drivers of Financial Literacy and Independence in Women
 
Due to digital and social media, there is a growing awareness, realization, and conversation around women’s financial literacy. The Internet eliminates barriers of resources and location and raises awareness even in women from small towns.
 
While it is good that such stories are being told, they are still less in number.
 
Attributes of Successful Leaders
 
Leaders should be authentic and believe in themselves. They should also possess qualities like compassion, discipline, focus, creativity, and active and deep listening.
 
In Shilpi’s opinion, the COVID-19 pandemic is also a good time to define the leadership metric. A successful leader should strike a balance between people, profit, and the planet.
 
Resources to Become an Ideal Leader

Shilpi’s learning has come from her experiences, observations, conversations, travel, and interaction. She calls herself a “coach by experience, not by the book.”
 
However, she recommends listening to podcasts of mentors and renowned leaders like John Maxwell and Simon Sinek.
 
Tips for Leaders and People to Brave the Pandemic
 
Leaders often feel burnout and loneliness. They can connect to a leadership coach who can help them become observant about themselves and their surroundings. It would help to ask reflective questions to self.
 
As a leadership coach, Shilpi often conducts round-table kind of events with 6-8 leaders in a group. They all meet and connect with no specific agenda. They share their challenges and high points with each other, forming a symbiotic relationship.
 
Leaders and people should make efforts to put themselves at the centre. They should spend time in self-love, meditation, deep breathing, grounding, and helping others. They should express gratitude for everything and try to slow down their life. It would also be a good idea to stop over analyzing or overthinking any situation. People should do whatever helps them transcend the moment of fear and despair around them.
 
Lastly, people should stay in the house if they have the privilege. If they step out, they should follow mask and sanitization protocols. Everyone should focus on their physical and emotional well-being.

Follow Shilpi Singh on LinkedIn

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast host: Junius Dsilva