Shaped by Stories, Strengthened by Challenges
Growing up in Bangalore, I was fortunate to be raised in a family where education wasn’t just about grades—it was about curiosity, growth, and expanding one’s mind. My parents instilled in me the belief that knowledge was the greatest asset one could possess, and this shaped the way I viewed learning from a very young age.
One of my fondest childhood memories is sitting with my grandmother as she told me stories— rich, vivid narratives about resilience, wisdom, and courage. She had an incredible way of making every story a lesson, and I found myself drawn to the power of storytelling. Even today, I believe that stories are the most powerful way to teach, connect, and inspire. This early love for storytelling influenced the way I communicate, coach, and even conduct business today.
Books were my escape, my adventure, and my greatest teachers. I remember devouring everything from classic literature to motivational books, fascinated by different perspectives and ideas. But beyond books, my biggest lessons came from observing the world around me. My parents, especially my mother, modeled what it meant to be resilient. She balanced responsibilities, adapted to challenges, and never let setbacks define her. Watching her, I learned that strength isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting up every single time you do.
There was one defining moment in my childhood that truly shaped my philosophy on growth and success. In school, I had always been an eager learner, but I was also quite competitive. I remember a time when I participated in an inter-school competition, and despite my best efforts, I didn’t win. I was devastated. I remember going home, feeling like I had failed. That evening, my father sat me down and said something that stayed with me for life: “ You create the next time and moment, this is just another step.”
That conversation changed the way I approached challenges. I started embracing learning over just outcomes. It made me fearless in trying new things, knowing that every experience— whether a win or a setback—was a step forward. This mindset has helped me tremendously in my entrepreneurial journey. When I started my businesses, there were moments of doubt, uncertainty, and failure. But I kept reminding myself that growth isn’t a straight road—it’s a winding path filled with lessons, resilience, and evolution.
Even today, as I coach leaders, mentor women entrepreneurs, and facilitate training programs, I always come back to the fundamental belief that growth is a lifelong process. Success is not about reaching a destination; it’s about continuously learning, evolving, and impacting those around you.
And so, my childhood experiences—whether through books, stories, or real-life lessons—have shaped my approach to business, leadership, and life itself. They taught me that embracing challenges, staying curious, and focusing on progress over perfection are the true keys to long term success.
Embracing Change: From Medicine to Entrepreneurship
As a child, I was deeply fascinated by the idea of becoming a doctor. Science intrigued me, and the thought of healing people felt purposeful. My principal strongly believed in my potential and encouraged me to pursue medicine. But life had other plans. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I found myself studying Environmental Science instead. At first, it felt like a detour, but very quickly, I realized something powerful—what truly mattered wasn’t the title of a profession, but how I approached learning and growth in any field.
That mindset became the foundation of my journey. Rather than resisting change, I leaned into it with curiosity. Every career shift—from sales promotion to IT to banking—wasn’t just about changing industries; it was about embracing new challenges, learning new skills, and evolving as a professional. I never saw these transitions as setbacks but as opportunities to expand my understanding of the world.
One defining moment that solidified my belief in adaptability happened early in my career. I was working in sales promotion, an industry completely unrelated to my academic background. Initially, I felt like an outsider, but instead of doubting myself, I focused on what I could bring to the table—my ability to learn fast, build relationships, and stay agile. I asked questions, observed industry veterans, and pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. To my surprise, I excelled. That experience taught me that expertise isn’t always about where you start; it’s about how quickly you adapt and grow.
This belief carried me through every career transition. When I entered IT, I had no prior experience in technology, but I immersed myself in the field, connecting with experts, understanding trends, and adapting my skills to the role. When I moved into banking, a highly structured and complex industry, I once again embraced the challenge, proving that learning agility could outweigh years of traditional experience.
Through these shifts, I realized something fundamental—opportunities are rarely linear. The willingness to step into the unknown, to embrace uncertainty with confidence, is what opens doors to incredible possibilities. Adaptability became my superpower. It wasn’t about knowing everything before starting; it was about having the mindset to figure things out along the way.
Today, as an entrepreneur and mentor, I encourage others—especially women—to embrace adaptability not as a survival skill, but as a strategic advantage. The world is constantly evolving, and those who thrive are the ones who approach change with curiosity rather than fear. Looking back, I see that every pivot, every unexpected turn in my journey, wasn’t a deviation from success—it was the path to it.
The Power of Self-Learning
Learning has always been my anchor—whether it was picking up new skills to stay ahead in my career or simply nurturing my curiosity. From an early age, I believed that knowledge wasn’t something you waited to be given; it was something you actively sought. This mindset was ingrained in me by my parents, who emphasized education not just as a means to an end, but as a lifelong pursuit.
One of the earliest moments that shaped my love for learning was when I taught myself English as a child. Growing up in Bangalore, I was more comfortable speaking my mother tongue, but I quickly realized that mastering English would open doors to greater opportunities. Instead of waiting for formal instruction, I immersed myself in books, listened to conversations, and practiced relentlessly. It was slow and sometimes frustrating, but I loved the challenge. Seeing myself improve fueled my confidence, and I realized that learning wasn’t about intelligence—it was about persistence.
That belief carried into my professional life. One defining moment came when I had just landed a job that required Excel expertise—something I had no prior experience with. I had three days before starting, and rather than panicking, I locked myself in a room with an Excel manual (this was before YouTube tutorials!), practicing formulas and functions non-stop. By the time I walked into that job, I wasn’t just proficient—I was confident. That experience reinforced a powerful lesson: You don’t need to know everything before taking on a challenge; you just need the ability to learn quickly.
Self-education became my greatest tool for career growth. Whether it was stepping into the IT industry with zero background or transitioning into banking, I approached every new role with the mindset that I could teach myself what I needed to succeed. I sought mentors, read extensively, and wasn’t afraid to ask questions. Each time I mastered a new skill, it reinforced the idea that learning wasn’t just a survival tactic—it was the ultimate competitive advantage.
This mindset is something I now encourage in everyone I mentor. The world is evolving rapidly, and the people who thrive aren’t necessarily the smartest—they’re the ones who can learn, unlearn, and relearn with agility. Looking back, I realize that my greatest successes didn’t come from what I already knew, but from my ability to embrace the unknown, dive into learning, and grow through every experience.
Redefining Leadership: From Personal Success to Empowering Others
When I look back at my journey—from starting as a customer service officer at HSBC to leading learning and development across regions—I see a story of growth, resilience, and a shift in how I define success. Early in my career, I believed leadership was about climbing the corporate ladder, achieving results, and proving myself. But a defining moment changed my perspective entirely.
It happened during a leadership training session I was facilitating for mid-level managers. One of the participants, a highly capable woman, approached me afterwards and said, “Vanitha, this session gave me the confidence to apply for a leadership role I never thought I was ready for.” That moment struck me deeply. It wasn’t just about the skills I was teaching—it was about helping someone see their potential in a way they hadn’t before. I realized that true leadership wasn’t just about what I achieved; it was about how I helped others rise.
This realisation became even stronger when I started mentoring women entrepreneurs. Many of them had brilliant ideas but lacked confidence in financial literacy, pitching, or scaling their businesses. I saw first-hand how capable women often hesitated, questioning if they were “ready enough.” Helping them break through these barriers—teaching them how to pitch with confidence, navigate business finances, and own their success—became more fulfilling than any corporate milestone I had ever reached.
One particular mentee, a passionate entrepreneur with a sustainable fashion startup, struggled with pitching. She had the vision, the business model, and the product—but not the self-belief. After working together, she not only secured funding but also expanded her brand internationally. Watching her transformation reinforced my belief that leadership isn’t just about personal success; it’s about creating a ripple effect of empowerment.
Today, my focus extends beyond corporate leadership to building a network of strong, financially confident women entrepreneurs. I want to continue bridging the gap between ambition and action, helping more women step into leadership—not just in their businesses, but in their own lives. Success, to me, is no longer just about what I accomplish. It’s about the legacy of empowered individuals I leave behind.
From Corporate Leader to Leadership Mentor
After spending decades in the corporate world, leading teams, and driving learning and development initiatives, I reached a point where I asked myself: What’s next? I had achieved everything I set out to in my career, but I felt a deeper calling—to create something of my own, something that would leave a lasting impact beyond organizational walls. That’s when Radical Edge Learning Consultants was born.
My inspiration came from a simple yet powerful realization: skills can be taught, but true leadership is built from within. Throughout my career, I saw talented professionals struggle—not because they lacked technical knowledge, but because they weren’t equipped with the emotional intelligence, confidence, and executive presence needed to thrive. I wanted to change that. I wanted to help people unlock not just their professional potential, but their personal power.
One of the most fulfilling parts of this journey has been witnessing these transformations firsthand. I remember working with a senior executive who was technically brilliant but struggled with self-doubt in high-stakes meetings. Through coaching and emotional intelligence development, she not only improved her leadership presence but also stepped into a global role she once thought was out of reach. Seeing that shift—from hesitation to conviction—makes this work incredibly rewarding.
Bringing Genos International’s emotional intelligence assessments to India has been another key milestone. The corporate world is evolving, and leadership today is no longer just about authority and expertise—it’s about connection, self-awareness, and resilience. Emotional intelligence is the foundation for all of these, and I see it as the key to shaping the future of leadership.
Beyond corporate training, my passion for mentoring women entrepreneurs has been equally fulfilling. Many women hesitate to take the leap into business because of self-doubt or lack of access to the right networks. Through mentorship, I help them break those barriers, understand financial literacy, pitch their ideas with confidence, and scale their businesses.
Looking ahead, I see my work continuing to bridge the gap between technical competence and human-centered leadership. I want to build more leaders who not only succeed in their careers but also create workplaces that inspire, support, and empower others. Whether it’s in boardrooms, startups, or global organizations, my goal is to drive a leadership revolution—one where emotional intelligence, self-belief, and impact take center stage.
Embracing Growth: A Mindset for Success
My journey has been shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of growth. Every challenge, every pivot, and every bold step I’ve taken has reinforced one truth—growth is a choice we make every day.
One defining moment that solidified this belief was early in my career when I transitioned from a completely different field into IT space. I was given three days to master Excel—something I had no prior experience in. Instead of panicking, I spent every waking moment learning, experimenting, and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. On the fourth day, I walked into that job ready, not just with the technical skills, but with the confidence that I could learn anything if I put my mind to it. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career, helping me embrace new industries, lead teams, and eventually take the leap into entrepreneurship.
Through my work, I hope to create a ripple effect—one where leaders don’t just succeed individually but uplift those around them. It’s not just about achieving personal milestones; it’s about building an ecosystem where others, especially women, feel empowered to step into their potential. I have seen firsthand how small nudges—whether it’s guiding a woman entrepreneur through her first business pitch or helping a leader develop executive presence—can completely transform their confidence and trajectory.
For young professionals and aspiring leaders, my message is simple: “Bloom where you are planted, but don’t forget to look up to the sun.” No matter where you start, nurture your strengths, embrace opportunities, and keep growing towards something bigger. Be adaptable, be bold, and most importantly, believe in yourself. The world needs your ideas, your leadership, and your unique impact—so step up and make it happen!