An interview with Pushpa Vaghela
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Recently, connect podcast spoke with Pushpa Vaghela, founder of Leadership by Design. Pushpa shared insights into her approach to leadership development, which combines ancient wisdom with modern practices. With over 30 years of experience in accounting, psychology, entrepreneurship, and real estate, Pushpa has become a notable figure in leadership training. Her method focuses on developing leaders at all organisational levels by tapping into their innate potential.

Pushpa Vaghela: Transforming Leadership Through Ancient Wisdom and Personal Experience

In the realm of leadership development, Pushpa Vaghela stands out as a beacon of innovation and inspiration. With over three decades of experience spanning various fields, Pushpa has crafted a unique approach to leadership training that blends ancient wisdom with modern practices, all informed by her personal journey of resilience and growth.


A Leader from the Start

Pushpa's leadership journey began surprisingly early. At the tender age of four or five, she was already serving as a role model in nursery school, helping other children overcome their shyness. By eleven, she had earned the title of Young Entrepreneur of the Year for starting her first business. These early experiences laid the foundation for a life dedicated to leadership and personal development.

The Birth of Leadership by Design


Leadership by Design, Pushpa's brainchild, was born out of personal adversity. In 2019, following significant business setbacks and personal losses, Pushpa found herself at a crossroads.


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This moment of reflection led to a profound realisation: many people struggle to recover from failures and challenges, unable to reconnect with their inner strength. This insight became the cornerstone of Leadership by Design, which aims to help individuals rediscover their innate leadership qualities and heal from past experiences.



A Holistic Approach to Leadership

Pushpa's approach is uniquely holistic, drawing from her diverse background:

 

  1. Psychology and Neuroscience: As a clinical neuro practitioner and with a background in psychology, Pushpa delves deep into understanding human behaviour and the workings of the mind.
  2. Business Acumen: With a master's in accounting and extensive experience as a business mentor for the Queensland government, she brings practical, results-oriented insights to her leadership training.
  3. Ancient Wisdom: Pushpa has studied Greek and Roman philosophies, as well as various religious scriptures, integrating timeless wisdom into modern leadership contexts.
  4. Personal Experience: Her own journey through loss, failure, and renewal informs her empathetic and practical approach to leadership development.
  5. Real Estate Expertise: With over 10 years of experience in the Real Estate industry, including Residential Sales, Commercial, and Property Management, Pushpa brings a wealth of knowledge from this sector to her leadership training.


Real Estate Industry Expertise

Pushpa's depth of experience in the real estate industry adds another dimension to her leadership training. As a former Chief Financial Officer for award-winning franchisees, she has an insider's understanding of the financial and operational aspects of successful real estate businesses. This experience allows her to offer targeted advice and mentorship to leaders in the property sector.


Over the years, Pushpa has mentored hundreds of sales agents in the property industry, becoming the go-to person for innovative growth and success. Her consulting and mentoring approach in real estate is focused on guiding professionals towards building deeper, more fulfilling establishments that benefit both the agents and their clients. This ensures that the path to success in real estate is not only effective but also enriching for all parties involved.

Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace

One of Pushpa's key focuses is mental health in the workplace. "Following the pandemic, I can say that 99% of people have in some way, shape, or form experienced mental health [issues] and they've not acknowledged it," she notes. Her programs offer:

  1. Confidential one-on-one conversations for employees
  2. Team workshops to help understand and address mental health
  3. Tools to recognise and manage stress, anxiety, and burnout


Pushpa emphasises that mental health issues can range from major challenges to seemingly small worries that affect focus and confidence. By creating a safe space for these discussions, she helps organisations foster a more supportive and productive work environment.

Following the pandemic i can say that 99.99 % of people have in some way shape or form experienced mental health

The Leadership Triad and Self-Leadership

At the core of Pushpa's teaching is what she calls the Leadership Triad, which highlights three essential mastery elements for leadership in today's world. While she doesn't detail these in the interview, she emphasises the importance of self-leadership as a foundation.


"Everybody's a born leader," Pushpa asserts. "How you nurture and develop that is up to us."


Her programs focus on helping individuals reconnect with themselves, heal from past experiences, and tap into their innate leadership potential.

Leaders should be in the presence breathing living smelling feeling and existing for the spirit of a great leader

Expanding Reach and Impact

Pushpa's influence extends beyond corporate training:

  1. Author: Her upcoming book, "The Ultimate Leadership Mastery," synthesises ancient wisdom for modern leaders.
  2. TV Host: As the host of Leadership Mastery TV, she brings leadership insights to a broader audience.
  3. Community Work: She's involved in elder abuse prevention and youth programs, applying her leadership principles across different demographics.


Looking Ahead

As organisations grapple with rapid change and increasing complexity, Pushpa Vaghela's approach offers a refreshing perspective. By focusing on the inner work of leadership - healing, self-awareness, and personal growth - she equips leaders to navigate external challenges more effectively.


For those seeking to develop resilient, inspiring leaders capable of steering their organisations through uncertain times, Pushpa Vaghela and Leadership by Design offer a unique blend of ancient wisdom, modern science, and lived experience. As Pushpa puts it, "Leaders should be in the presence breathing, living, smelling, feeling and existing for the spirit of a great leader." Through her work, she's making that aspiration a reality for leaders across the globe, particularly in the real estate industry where her expertise continues to shape successful professionals and businesses.




To learn more about Pushpa's leadership programs or to book her for your next event, visit leadershipbydesign.com or call 0497 998 829

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