Priyashmita G, the dynamic CEO of PSL Association of India, embodies the rare blend of visionary leadership and unwavering humanity that defines a great leader. Her story is not just about business success; it is a testament to the power of building an environment where work feels like family, and employees are treated as the lifeblood of an organization. Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Priyashmita G shares the lessons learned from her early days at JobsAhead a chapter that continues to inspire her leadership philosophy even two decades later.
Priyashmita G’s reflections on her time at JobsAhead capture an ethos of respect and trust that transcends the typical corporate experience. It’s a narrative that shows how building the right product, nurturing the right team, and caring for people are the cornerstones of a company’s long-term success. At JobsAhead, Priyashmita G discovered that when a team believes in what they do, selling becomes effortless, and every milestone becomes a shared triumph.
The three lessons that Priyashmita G took from JobsAhead have been guiding principles throughout her professional life: first, that sales is easy when the product resonates with the market; second, that passion is contagious when the right people are in the room; and third, that caring for employees is the ultimate driver of a company’s health and growth. These principles are not theoretical they were lived experiences for Priyashmita G, and they continue to shape her leadership style today.
One of the most poignant moments in Priyashmita G’s journey at JobsAhead was during a personal crisis. When her mother was hospitalized and she had already lost her father, she reached out to her employer with nothing more than a simple message: “I’ll be on leave.” The immediate response advance payments cleared, claims settled, and a personal call from CEO Rajiv Puri remains etched in her memory. Rajiv’s words, “Forget about work. If you need anything, call me directly,” were more than just professional courtesy; they were a powerful reminder that at JobsAhead, people came first. For Priyashmita G, this was not just an act of kindness it was a defining lesson in how leadership can be both compassionate and empowering.
Even in the face of client concerns, the leadership at JobsAhead stood by Priyashmita G, reaffirming that a company’s loyalty to its people inspires unwavering loyalty in return. This culture of support didn’t just protect employees it strengthened the company’s bonds with clients, creating a network of trust that went beyond mere transactions.
Priyashmita G recalls how JobsAhead’s hiring philosophy was grounded in cultural fit and shared values rather than just skill sets. Every candidate faced a “culture roundtable,” ensuring that the heart of the organization remained strong and authentic. Priyashmita G understands that this approach hiring for fit rather than just for skill created an environment where collaboration thrived and competition was healthy, not cutthroat.
The sales teams at JobsAhead didn’t compete for territories; they collaborated and shared commissions, fostering a camaraderie that Priyashmita G describes as “friends across teams.” This spirit of cooperation created a unique environment where everyone was invested in each other’s success, and every win was celebrated collectively. It’s a lesson Priyashmita G has carried forward in her leadership of PSL Association of India: that a united team can achieve far more than a collection of individual talents.
Priyashmita G also fondly remembers how Alok Mittal, instead of promising distant dreams through stock options, provided immediate incentives and rewards that made a tangible difference in the lives of young employees. In an era when many companies offered promises of future growth, Alok Mittal understood that immediate recognition and support fuel passion and drive. This pragmatic approach resonated deeply with Priyashmita G, teaching her that genuine care for people’s needs, here and now, can spark remarkable loyalty and performance.
Vivek Madhukar’s simple yet profound advice “If you can sell it at 2 AM in your sleep, you’ve learnt your product well enough” became a mantra for Priyashmita G and her team. This wasn’t just about memorizing features; it was about truly believing in what they were selling. For Priyashmita G, this belief in the product created an authenticity in every client conversation an authenticity that made JobsAhead’s success not just possible but inevitable.
As Priyashmita G celebrates the legacy of JobsAhead 25 years on, she also acknowledges the two colleagues who became her family: Rajarshi Roy and Trina Sen. Together, they never let a single sales month slip. This wasn’t just a testament to their hard work; it was proof that when you work with people you trust, excellence is the natural outcome.
Now, as CEO of PSL Association of India, Priyashmita G channels these lessons into her mission to create an organization where people come first, where culture and fit matter, and where collaboration is the currency of success. She understands that true growth is driven by passion and a deep sense of ownership a philosophy she continues to champion in every decision she makes.
Priyashmita G’s journey is a powerful reminder that work, when done with love and purpose, transcends the ordinary. Her experiences at JobsAhead have shaped not just her career, but the very soul of the organizations she leads. For Priyashmita G, it’s clear that success isn’t just about revenue or growth metrics it’s about building a culture of belonging, where every employee feels valued and every client feels the authenticity of a company that stands by its people.
As she looks to the future of PSL Association of India, Priyashmita G carries forward the same spirit that made JobsAhead a family. It’s a legacy of trust, kindness, and unwavering belief in the power of people a legacy that will continue to inspire everyone who has the privilege of working alongside Priyashmita G.
