Some people think that the key to success lies within their daily routines. Do you agree with this, and if so, what is your daily routine?
I agree that daily routines are powerful. Every morning, before I get out of bed, I do my own form of active meditation for a few minutes to tap into what I call my “Creative Unconscious.” I find that the human brain solves so many tactical, strategic, and creative roadblocks when we are sleeping, and most of us don’t take the time to mine those treasures. I jot down whatever surfaces before my active brain takes over so I don’t forget those powerful insights. I first tapped into my “Creative Unconscious” practice when struggling with plot and character obstacles when writing my unpublished novel. My daily routine also includes walking, stretching, and reading extensively.
Looking back at your teenage years, did you have any entrepreneurial interests?
Before I became an executive coach and strategic advisor to CEOs, I was a journalist for two decades and loved every minute of it. But even during my journalism career, I read deeply about and was drawn to visionary CEOs building innovative technology products. So my second career felt like an organic pivot in many ways.
Is there a specific time of day when you feel most productive?
I am most creatively productive early in the morning. That’s when I try to accomplish the most challenging strategic, coaching, or complex thinking and writing projects.
Do you think there is one character trait/skill that is important to have in order to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s world?
Resilience. We entrepreneurs are confronting a plethora of complex challenges and are constantly being stress-tested by macro and micro economic conditions. As senior female executives and leaders, we have the additional balancing act of juggling home and family needs. The most successful entrepreneurs are also the most resilient and pliant, able to deal with adversity and bend like boughs in the wind. That’s one of the central coaching messages to my CEOs and founders. How to be resilient and pliant in the face of these gale-force winds of social, emotional, and technological transformation we are undergoing.
Has being a woman in the business world affected you positively or negatively, and how so?
I’ve had two very successful careers, the first one as a journalist at major news outlets, including NPR and U.S. News & World Report; the second as advisor/coach to some of the brightest technology minds in the world—all the while raising two amazing sons.
Both careers have been incredibly challenging, demanding, exhausting, and rewarding. Pulling that off came with major tradeoffs. I made the decision when my first son was born not to be away at night unless absolutely necessary, avoiding business dinners or evening/weekend events, long conferences that required travel, and reduced my professional networking.
But I’ve never been short of amazing opportunities. I’ve been handpicked for exciting roles throughout my two careers and always landed the types of challenging jobs that are never posted, just filled through word-of-mouth. Looking back, I believe I’ve managed to pull off the crazy balancing act that we women have to do to be successful career women and moms at the same time.
What is one major goal that you wish to achieve by 2030?
In addition to my coaching and consulting, I’ve come back to my roots in journalism and writing over the past three years. I have two podcasts, When It Mattered (on how adversity and trauma shape leaders); and Techtopia (on how technology is changing our world). And I am also a columnist for the women’s online platform, SWAAY. My goals by 2030 are to continue to build my high-impact global executive coaching practice for technology executives, especially female founders and entrepreneurs; to write books based on my podcasts and columns; to record some live leadership podcasts on the road; last but not least, to see more of the world.
Who is your biggest influence, and why?
My two sons, ages 22 and 17. They are connected to me in the most organic way and wise about the world. They always have the most unexpected counterintuitive views, possess the strongest BS detectors, and are wise, loving, funny, and kind. They know me to my core, are so proud of me and deeply support my career. There’s not a major decision I make without running it by them. I feel blessed to have them in my life.
If you could pick one female entrepreneur, who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
Oprah Winfrey. She has always inspired me as a serious journalist, talented talk show host, savvy entrepreneur, and someone who has overcome enormous obstacles and adversity to carve an iconic place in the world. She has built massive wealth on her own terms with hard work, fortitude, and business savvy. As a former fellow Chicagoan, I have a huge soft spot in my heart for Oprah and am filled with respect and admiration for what she has managed to accomplish.
What has been the most formative advice you have received and why?
I was born and raised in India, and before I moved to the United States, my first job was in Mumbai at the largest English-language news agency, the Press Trust of India. My editor was a classic old-school, salty newspaperman. On my first day at work, he gave me a piercing look and said, “Every day, I look in the mirror and remind myself that no one is indispensable.”
I have never forgotten that advice and find it to be so relevant in today’s workplace.
CONTACT INFORMATION & SOCIAL MEDIA Executive Coach & Strategic Advisor to CEOs and founders Washigton DC, Baltimore website: https://chitraragavan.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/chitra_ragavan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chitra_ragavan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chitraragavan/ Podcasts/Writing/Contact: https://chitra.lnk.to/bio