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Mahakumbh 2025

Sometimes, the best coaching session is with yourself!

Nothing compares to the calmness of the holy waters at Mahakumbh Mela, Prayagraj.

When my friends called early Wednesday morning, inviting me to Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Without a second thought, I booked my flight for Saturday, 8th February. But the journey tested me even before it began.

At Mumbai airport, I faced my first challenge – denied boarding due to an overbooked flight. Frustration, doubt, and negativity crept in. Was this a sign to turn back? But persistence won. After a long argument, I was shifted to another flight. A sigh of relief.

At Delhi airport, my baggage didn’t arrive. Again, chaos. Passengers left, the belt stopped, and I stood alone, battling my own thoughts – “Why me?” But this time, I took a deep breath, changed my approach, and found a way. And there it was – my baggage, waiting for me.

The train journey from Delhi to Prayagraj was no less challenging. Crowded compartments, restless nights, and security concerns. But nothing could prepare me for what awaited at the Sangam.

We Reached OD Fort, saraswati ghat. As I stepped into the sangam waters of the sacred confluence, everything faded – the struggles, the journey, even my own fears. The river embraced me like a mother. I fear water, yet I felt held, protected, and at peace. Each dip was not just a ritual; it was a cleansing of the soul, a conversation with my inner self.

Returning, life tested me one last time. A fellow passenger suffered a medical emergency – his nose had started bleeding, and instinct took over. I took charge, gathered doctors, arranged assistance, and ensured his safety. A Navbharat Times journalist on board stood up, clapped, and thanked me, and all other passengers followed. But I knew the real lesson – sometimes, the best coaching session is with yourself.

This Mahakumbh happened after 144 years. I feel blessed to experience it.  For me, it was more than a holy dip. It was a reminder that struggles are fleeting, but the lessons stay.

Every challenge is an opportunity to coach yourself.

Would love to hear – when was the last time you learned the biggest lesson from within?

Navigating Complexity: A Leadership Success Story

Honoured to receive this feedback from the CHRO of a leading Indian-Belgian Diamond Manufacturing company.

We collaborated on global executive coaching assignments, 

The assignments were to help leaders tackle complex challenges with clarity and confidence.

Key focus areas:

→  Strategic decision-making in high-stakes situations
→  Refining leadership styles to drive business impact
→  Navigating complexity with a structured problem-solving approach
→  Continuous learning & growth mindset for leadership excellence

The result?

A stronger leadership pipeline, sharper decision-making, and leaders equipped to thrive in dynamic global environments.

Leadership isn’t just about solving today’s challenges—it’s about being future-ready.

If you’re looking to elevate your leadership game, let’s talk. 

Book a 30-min Chemistry Call with me here: https://lnkd.in/d743WrRT

My 6000 hours coaching lessons

What if I told you that your biggest leadership blind spots are the ones you can’t see? 

After 6,000+ hours coaching top leaders, here’s what truly separates the best from the rest.

I’ve spent over 6,000 hours coaching CEOs, CXOs, and senior leaders.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned—leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about transformation.

Here are the biggest lessons from my coaching journey:

1) Clarity drives impact

→ Leaders who lack clarity create confusion.
→ Those who define their vision inspire action.

A leader’s first job? See the future before others do.

2) Leadership is a lonely journey—but it doesn’t have to be

→ The higher you go, the fewer people challenge you.
→ Great leaders seek coaches and mentors who tell them what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.

Who’s holding up a mirror for you?

3) Decision-making separates good from great

→ Indecision costs companies more than bad decisions.
→ The best leaders trust their judgment, act fast, and course-correct as needed.

Clarity + Confidence = Leadership Power.

4) Growth mindset beats experience

→ I’ve coached leaders with 30+ years of experience—yet the ones who grow fastest are those willing to unlearn and relearn.

The moment you stop growing, your leadership weakens.

5) Communication makes or breaks leadership

→ If people don’t understand your vision, they won’t follow.
→ The best leaders simplify complexity and make every word count.

Leadership isn’t about talking more—it’s about being heard.

6) Emotional intelligence is the real superpower

→ Logic makes decisions, but emotions drive action.
→ Leaders who understand emotions—both theirs and others’—build stronger teams and influence effortlessly.

Want to lead better? Master emotions before mastering strategy.

7) Resilience is a leadership multiplier

→ Setbacks are inevitable. What defines leaders is how fast they bounce back.
→ Those who thrive in uncertainty don’t have all the answers—they have the grit to find them.

Final thought:
The best leaders don’t just lead teams—they lead themselves first.

If you’re ready to gain clarity, confidence, and executive presence, let’s talk. 

Book a 30-min. Chemistry Call with me here: https://lnkd.in/d743WrRT

Are You Self Aware

“Great leadership starts with knowing yourself—self-awareness is the key to unlocking your true leadership potential.”

Many leaders struggle with making clear decisions.

They find it hard to connect with their teams.

They struggle to handle pressure.

This often happens when they don’t understand their own strengths, weaknesses, or emotions.

Without self-awareness, leadership can feel reactive, not intentional.

How important is self-awareness in effective leadership:

↳ It helps you make better decisions.
↳ It allows for clearer communication.
↳ It empowers you to lead with purpose.
↳ When you understand yourself, you can inspire your team.
↳ You’ll navigate challenges with resilience.
↳ You’ll continuously grow as a leader.

Here are some qualities of Self-aware leaders:
1. Better Decisions
→ Self-aware leaders make informed, unbiased decisions.

2. Clearer Communication
→ Knowing your strengths and weaknesses improves communication and builds trust.

3. Emotional Control
→ Self-awareness helps leaders manage emotions, avoiding reactive behaviour.

4. Stronger Empathy
→ Understanding yourself helps you connect better with others.

5. Continuous Growth
→ Self-aware leaders embrace feedback and focus on improvement.

6. Increased Resilience
→ Knowing your values keeps you grounded during tough times.

Leaders, reflect, seek feedback, and grow.

They Lead with clarity and purpose.

How has self-awareness shaped your leadership style?

Share an experience where understanding yourself made a difference in your leadership!

Let’s discuss in the comments.

I’ve been helping CEOs, CXOs, and senior leaders gain clarity and direction.

If you’re looking to start on that journey too, book a 30-min. Chemistry Call with me here: https://lnkd.in/d743WrRT

The Role of Coaching in Succession Planning

The Role of Coaching in Succession Planning

Succession planning is often treated like a checkbox. 

Identify potential leaders, give them new responsibilities, and hope they rise to the occasion.

But hope is not a strategy.

Behind every successful transition lies targeted coaching. 

Coaching turns succession planning into a pipeline of ready leaders, not just names on a list. 

Here’s how:

1. Bridging Skill Gaps

→ Every leader-in-the-making has blind spots. 

→ Coaching helps them develop critical leadership skills – decision-making, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking.

2. Strengthening Confidence

→ A promotion can be intimidating. 

→ Coaching provides the clarity, guidance, and confidence they need to step into bigger roles with conviction.

3. Embedding Leadership Values

→ Future leaders aren’t just filling positions; they’re shaping the organization’s culture. 

→ Coaching ensures they align with the company’s vision, values, and mission.

4. Retaining Top Talent

→ Organizations that invest in their people don’t lose them. 

→ Coaching shows high performers that their growth matters, improving retention during and beyond the transition process.

Succession planning isn’t just about finding a replacement. 

It’s about preparing leaders to thrive, inspire, and deliver from day one.

Are you nurturing your next generation of leaders? 

Let’s talk about how coaching can turn your succession plans into success stories.

DM me or visit www.shahvandana.com to explore coaching solutions tailored to your organization.

Positive Attention Fuels Productivity and Growth

Positive Attention Fuels Productivity and Growth

People don’t work just for a paycheck. 

They work for recognition, appreciation, and purpose.

When leaders give positive attention, two things happen:

  1. Productivity spikes 

→ People work harder when they feel valued. 

→ A simple “Great job on that project!” boosts motivation instantly.

  2. Growth accelerates 

→ Employees thrive on recognition. 

→ When appreciated regularly, they take more initiative. 

→ They also upskill faster and push their limits further.

Yet, many leaders only notice mistakes. What if we flipped the script?

Instead of asking, “What went wrong?”, ask “What went right?”

Instead of waiting for annual reviews, celebrate small wins daily.

Instead of pointing out gaps, acknowledge progress.

People don’t grow in fear. They thrive in recognition. 

When they thrive, so does the business.

Who can you appreciate today? 

↳ Tag them in the comments and make their day! 

I’ve been helping CEOs, CXOs, and senior leaders gain clarity and direction. 

If you’re looking to start on that journey too, book a 30-min. Chemistry Call with me here: https://calendly.com/vandana-shahvandana/30min