"Tiny steps, taken consistently and with purpose, lead to extraordinary long-term success."
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Smita Das Jain, a distinguished alumna of IIM Indore, whose remarkable journey from corporate leadership to personal empowerment has captured the essence of success in unconventional paths.
In this enlightening conversation, Smita invites us into her world where she seamlessly transitions from a strategic role in Fortune 500 companies to the dynamic realm of coaching and writing.
With over 14 years of experience and a background in management consulting, Smita shares her pivotal decision to exit the corporate arena in 2021 and embark on a fulfilling dual career as an Executive Coach and a bestselling author.
As the founder of the Empower Yourself Coaching Programs, she imparts valuable insights into the principles driving professional growth, employee satisfaction, and personal empowerment.
Join us as we delve into Smita’s perspectives on navigating the challenges of the business landscape, creating positive workplace cultures, and her vision for success in 2023, offering a unique blend of wisdom, experience, and a commitment to fostering impactful change.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Smita Das Jain: I am an alumna of IIM Indore with an Executive Education certification from Columbia Business School with 14+ years of experience in leadership roles with Fortune 500 companies. I joined KPMG India in their Management Consulting division after my MBA where I advised Indian and Global clients in their business strategies and
Transformation.
I also worked in United Technologies Corporation(now known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation) and JLL India in senior strategy and finance roles. After a decade and a half of working on PowerPoint, I realized that people need more than strategies to succeed.
After an exciting corporate journey, earlier in 2021- I decided to quit my corporate career to pursue my passions and transform them into professions. Now, I am pursuing two careers- as a Writer and an Executive and Life Coach- from the confines of my home, and loving every minute of it.
As a Certified Executive Coach, Personal Empowerment Life Coach and NLP Practitioner, I founded the Empower Yourself Coaching Programs. My coaching empowers executives to get better at what they do so that they emerge leaders sooner than envisaged and become the best professional version of themselves. I also enable busy professionals unhappy in their jobs to transform their passion into profession, so that they work because they want to, and not because they have to.
An International Coaching Federation accredited PCC coach, I have guided >200 middle, senior and CXO level professionals in communication, time management, strategic thinking, conflict management, team building and career transition matters. In a little more than two and a half years, I have been fortunate enough to cross 1000+ 1-on-1 client coaching hours to make a difference in the lives of my clients.
The Asia Business Outlook has named me as one of the Top 10 Executives Coaches in Asia, in 2022, and Silicon India has named me among the 10 Most Promising Executive Coaches in India, in 2023. I was also named among India’s Top 10 Women Entrepreneurs in the HerRisingAwards 2023 by HerKey.
Outside the world of coaching, I am a 2X TEDx speaker, have appeared in national TV and Print Media and also authored 3 best-selling fiction books, available worldwide on Amazon.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, are an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Smita Das Jain: In my experience as a Personal Empowerment Life Coach and Executive Coach, keeping employees happy and engaged revolves around several key principles:
- Clear Communication: Open and transparent communication between management and employees is vital. Regular feedback sessions and an environment where employees feel their voices are heard are essential.
- Recognition and Appreciation: Employees thrive when their efforts and contributions are recognized and appreciated. This can be through verbal acknowledgement, awards, or even small gestures of gratitude.
- Professional Growth: Offering opportunities for professional development and growth can significantly boost job satisfaction. Employees want to feel that they are advancing in their careers.
- Work-Life Balance: Striking a balance between work and personal life is crucial for employee well-being. Employers can support this by promoting flexible work arrangements and encouraging vacations.
- Company Culture: A positive and inclusive company culture is a major factor in retaining talent. When employees feel connected to their colleagues and the organization’s values, they’re more likely to stay.
- Fair Compensation: While not the sole motivator, fair and competitive compensation is essential for retaining top talent. Employees should feel that they are being compensated appropriately for their skills and contributions.
- Empowerment and Autonomy: Employees appreciate having the autonomy to make decisions and contribute to the success of the organization. Trusting employees to take ownership of their work can increase engagement.
As for adapting to the current shift, recognizing the signs of the Great Resignation and addressing them proactively is crucial. This includes:
- Flexibility: Providing flexible work arrangements such as remote work options.
- Wellness Initiatives: Implementing wellness programs to support employees’ mental and physical health.
- Upgrading Leadership: Investing in leadership development to ensure managers can effectively engage and motivate their teams.
- Reevaluating Company Culture: Assessing and reshaping the company culture to align with the evolving needs and expectations of the workforce.
- Offering Career Development: Supporting employees’ career goals with coaching, training, and mentorship opportunities.
It’s important to remember that retaining talent is an ongoing process that necessitates a proactive approach, adaptability, and a commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and part of a positive and inclusive culture.
By addressing the factors that drive the Great Resignation head-on, organizations can not only retain their talent but also attract new, skilled professionals looking for a place where they feel genuinely appreciated and fulfilled.
Here is a two-fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Smita Das Jain: One book that has had a profound impact on my life is “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. I first read it when I was just eight years old, and its lessons about financial literacy, wealth creation, and the difference between assets and liabilities have stayed with me ever since.
It fundamentally altered my perspective on money and inspired me to seek financial independence and success through smart investments and entrepreneurship right from a young age. The key lesson I learned from this book is that financial education is essential for everyone, regardless of their age or background.
In terms of the book I’ve been gifting the most lately is my own creation, “Twisted Tales and Turns – A Journey through the Unexpected” which was published in July 2023. This collection of 20 short stories holds a special place in my heart because it’s a reflection of the unpredictable and unexpected nature of life itself.
Each story in the book is a unique and standalone tale, but they are all connected by a common thread: the twist. The twist in these stories isn’t just a plot device; it’s a symbol of life’s inherent unpredictability. It represents the sudden changes, realizations, and revelations that we all encounter on our life journeys.
Whether it’s a change of heart, the realization that our path needs adjustment, or a shocking revelation, these twists mirror the power of the human spirit and the resilience of the human soul.
“Twisted Tales and Turns” spans different worlds, from the real to the paranormal, and explores a wide range of themes, including love, loss, hope, and despair, aiming to entertain while encouraging readers to reflect on the world we live in.
My intention with this book is to inspire people to question, explore, and find meaning in the ever-changing and often unexpected course of life. It’s a gift I offer to encourage others on their own journeys of self-discovery.
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Smita Das Jain: I am a writer by passion and write something every day, be it fiction or non-fiction. So far, I have written and published three fiction books, while the fourth one is on its way.
I love writing in all forms too much to stick to a particular genre. Each of my three books is different from the other.
- A Slice of Life: Every Person Has a Story is a set of 18 contemporary stories that touch human hearts.
- A Price to Love is a women-centric contemporary novel set against the backdrop of the corporate world, showcasing the struggles of balancing professional ambitions with personal life.
- My latest book, Twisted Tales and Turns: A Journey Through the Unexpected, is a multi-genre short story collection of 20 short stories with a twist as a plot device in every tale.
Even though the genres are different, contemporary issues are the common thread running through all my stories and books. I also dabble in personal development challenges and women empowerment issues through my blogs and articles.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Smita Das Jain: In my experience, one of the most underestimated aspects of running a company is the significance of establishing robust processes. Many business leaders tend to chase big, shiny objectives or quick wins without recognizing that small but consistent steps can lead to long-lasting results. The discipline of setting up effective processes within a company often gets overlooked, yet it is critical for achieving sustainable success.
Let me illustrate this with a personal example from my own journey as a coach and entrepreneur. When I began my coaching venture, I had no grand vision of completing over 1,000 coaching sessions in just two years. Instead, I focused on a simple mantra: to engage in conversations with at least 20 coaching prospects every week. This might seem like a modest goal, but I approached it with discipline and unwavering consistency.
Over time, this commitment to talking with prospects paid off. I was able to connect with potential clients, understand their needs, and offer valuable coaching services. This disciplined process allowed me to gradually build a thriving coaching practice, which, as a result, led to me conducting over 1000 1-on-1 coaching sessions with more than 200 clients across six countries.
The key lesson here is that success is often the outcome of consistent, well-defined processes. It’s about making small, intentional steps towards your goals rather than chasing immediate, grand achievements. In my journey, setting up a process of regular prospect conversations was a foundational step that paved the way for substantial growth.
By consistently investing in these foundational processes, businesses can achieve sustained and meaningful results, even when the initial objectives seem modest. Small steps, when taken consistently and thoughtfully, can lead to remarkable long-term achievements.
What does “success” in 2023 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Smita Das Jain: Success is not just about personal or business achievements; it’s about making a positive and enduring difference in the world around us. In 2023, and beyond, success is measured by the positive ripples we create in the lives of those we touch and in the world we inhabit.
In my vision of success, the focus is on impact and transformation. Success is about leaving a legacy of positive change, be it in the lives of individuals, the betterment of our society, the preservation of our planet, or the nurturing of a sustainable environment. It’s a vision deeply rooted in the belief that every one of us has the capacity to be a force for good, and to create lasting and meaningful change.
A central theme I’ve explored in my recent TEDx talk, presented in early November 2023, revolves around this very idea. I emphasized the importance of a mindset shift, one that recognizes our collective power to shape a better world. Success, in my view, is driven by the conscious choices we make to contribute positively, to inspire and empower others, and to be stewards of our environment.
As I continue my journey as a coach and advocate for personal empowerment, I see success as an evolving pursuit, one that continually invites us to deepen our commitment to creating a better world for all. It’s a vision that encourages me to inspire and guide others to recognize and harness their own capacity for impactful change. Success, to me, is this ongoing journey of making a meaningful, lasting, and positive difference in the world.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Smita Das Jain for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Smita Das Jain or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
