At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this, we invited Flt Lt Sangeeta Pathak Bansal for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Ex-Air Force Officer, Leader, Veteran, Entrepreneur, Management Consultant, Mentor, Coach, Trainer, Keynote Speaker and a Change Enabler. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Flt Lt Sangeeta:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I am an internationally certified behavioural trainer. I began my career journey in the Indian Air Force in 1995. With a deep-rooted passion for wearing the uniform, I am a third generation defence personnel from my family to serve; my grandfather, father, and two elder brothers are all commissioned officers in the Indian Army. When the Indian Air Force started inducting women officers, I eagerly applied and successfully passed the SSB, IAF medical, and merit in one attempt. I proudly received my commission on December 16, 1995.
I am married to a former fighter pilot, who now flies corporate jets. We have a daughter who is currently a dental surgeon pursuing a Master’s in Dental Surgery, and also blessed with twin sons who are commercial pilots with IndiGo.
I have around 25+ years of varied experience as an Instructor of Management Techniques & Faculty for Organizational Behaviour, Marketing and Personality Development & Soft skills facilitator across Industries and Hierarchies. Recently I have been nominated for GLOBAL WOMEN OF INFLUENCE AWARDS 2024.
Also, I am a registered member of the Indian Society for Training & Development. My journey combines varied experiences and passions, blending management expertise with my IAF experience.
Apart from holding full-time Prestigious assignments, I have conducted a huge number of corporate workshops, my impact transcends boundaries, empowering individuals of all ages and verticals, to realize their fullest potential. I am currently empaneled with over 50 MNCs for various projects where I work closely towards the improvisation of operational efficiency and employee productivity.
Throughout my diverse career, I have balanced my personal & professional life beautifully fulfilling all the roles. My journey has been full of learning so far. It has the essence of empowerment, resilience and the unwavering pursuit of one’s dreams.
What are your future plans?
Currently involved with various projects and I would continue to explore new opportunities wherein I can contribute my knowledge, expertise and grow more as an individual and also contribute to the growth of the society.
I love transforming the lives of other professionals through dedicated mentoring and coaching. My workshops are designed to add as much value as possible based on practical case studies.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life as a leader?
Be a Continuous Learner in Life: Embrace curiosity and seek growth, not just in formal education but in everyday moments. Whether it’s reading a new book, exploring different cultures or picking up a new skill. Each step adds to your understanding and enriches your journey.
Learning isn’t just about acquiring information, it’s about expanding your horizons, challenging your assumptions, and becoming a more thoughtful, adaptable, and compassionate person. Remember, life itself is the greatest classroom, and every day is an opportunity to learn something new.
Have the Agility to Adapt to New Circumstances: By staying agile, you can quickly learn new skills, embrace innovative solutions, and remain resilient in the face of change. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive, continuously evolving to meet new demands and seizing the moment to thrive in any situation.
Value Your Relationships: Whether it’s family, friends, colleagues or mentors. Strong relationships provide support, joy, and a sense of belonging. Show appreciation and gratitude, communicate openly and honestly, and invest time and energy into maintaining and deepening these bonds.
How leadership qualities can help with your career or business growth?
I strongly feel leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about influence, vision, and the ability to inspire teams towards success.
Some of the skills that have helped me grow as an individual and as a leader are:
Emotional Intelligence (EI): This skill fosters trust, enhances communication, and promotes a positive work culture. I assess the emotional impact before every decision and action, it often produces favourable results.
Spiritual Quotient (SQ): Since I am inclined towards spirituality. I align all my actions with core principles, inspiring loyalty and commitment among the teams.
Empathy: I feel, the cornerstone of effective leadership is empathy. It allows me to connect with stakeholders on a deeper level, understanding their perspectives and needs. This fosters inclusivity, boosts morale, and encourages collaboration.
Team Building: A cohesive team not only achieves goals efficiently but also supports each other through challenges.
Integrity: I always maintain trust and transparency throughout the projects and set my expectations right with the stakeholders.
Creativity and Innovation: In a rapidly evolving world, we must embrace creativity and innovation to stay ahead. Encouraging a culture of innovation unleashes the potential for groundbreaking ideas and solutions, driving business growth and competitiveness.
Advancing Your Career: Learning never stops. Developing leadership qualities isn’t just beneficial for your current roles; it’s essential for career advancement. Organizations value leaders who can inspire, innovate, and navigate complexities with finesse.
What are some of the best practices you advise your clients and how does it help them?
To build effective, strong, and lasting relationships, Communication is the key.
So I advise my clients the following:
1) Practice Active Listening
2) Maintain Personalized Communication
3) Be Clear and Concise
4) Avoid misunderstandings by being clear and to the point in all communications
5) Use the Right Tools: Utilize appropriate communication tools (email, team chat, project management software, video calls) for different needs, Seek Feedback and keep them updated.
Implementing these practices can help you build trust, improve understanding, and strengthen your relationships with clients.
What is your success mantra and what advice would you give to our audience?
(1) I believe that Discipline, Resilience, Perseverance and Hard Work are the cornerstones for success in professional and personal life.
(2) Work hard and dream big.
(3) Embrace your imperfections and convert them into your strengths with a growth mindset.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
