Shubhangi Madan, Co-founder of The People Company, shares a powerful narrative about the transformative lessons she has learned from leadership challenges. Her insights are not just valuable for entrepreneurs but for anyone navigating the complexities of leading a team. Shubhangi Madan’s journey stands as a testament to the idea that growth often comes through failure, and the most expensive lessons are those we learn the hard way.
Shubhangi Madan openly reflects on her past mistakes, emphasizing the importance of growth through adversity. Her first key lesson came when she tried to be the “always available” leader. At first, it seemed like a way to be supportive and present for her team. However, this led to burnout within just three months, as Shubhangi Madan found herself stretched too thin. She lost crucial client opportunities, realizing that boundaries, rather than availability, are what make a leader truly effective. This pivotal realization helped her embrace healthier boundaries, which ultimately strengthened her leadership.
Another critical mistake Shubhangi Madan admits to was her initial fear of delegating. Believing that “no one does it better,” she struggled to let go of tasks, which stunted both her own growth and that of her team. In missing opportunities to scale, Shubhangi Madan learned a vital lesson: “Your limits limit your business.” By embracing delegation, she empowered her team, allowing them to thrive and expand beyond her individual capacity.
Shubhangi Madan also shares how avoiding difficult conversations to maintain “peace” only led to bigger issues. By allowing small problems to fester, she lost a high-performing team member and learned that fast feedback is often the kindest feedback. Shubhangi Madan’s growth as a leader was driven by her ability to confront challenges head-on and create an environment where honest, timely communication is valued.
Through her experiences, Shubhangi Madan redefines what leadership is truly about. It’s not about perfection or knowing everything; it’s about being human, learning from mistakes, and empowering others. Her approach to leadership emphasizes growth, authenticity, and the importance of learning quickly from failure. Shubhangi Madan’s journey shows us that today’s success is not built on flawless execution but on the ability to recover and grow faster than the competition.
As Shubhangi Madan asks her followers, “What’s your most expensive leadership lesson?” It’s clear that her insights are a call to action for leaders everywhere to embrace imperfection and prioritize learning over flawless performance.
