What Does It Really Take to Grow as a Leader Today?
- ishikalatwal
- Sep 7
- 2 min read
During my recent interview with Susheel Gajwani on Doordarshan, I was asked about leadership and what it truly takes to grow. My answer was simple: growth begins within. Leadership is not just about managing people or delivering numbers. It is about developing the inner capacity to navigate uncertainty, stay disciplined, and inspire others.
One of the biggest myths in corporate life is that working harder or clocking more hours will make you successful. But time management is not the real key to productivity. Energy management is.
I asked the audience to reflect on this: where is your energy going every day?
Is it being drained by conflicts, constant stress, or endless distractions?
Or are you channeling it into the things that truly move you forward?
Discipline plays a central role here. Whether it is your food habits, your sleeping patterns, or your daily routines, discipline builds the foundation for sustainable growth. Many people resist discipline because they think it is boring. But the truth is that some of the most successful leaders in the world have mastered discipline to free up their energy for what matters most.
Equally important is how you handle uncertainty. Life and business are unpredictable. Promotions that feel certain can suddenly slip away. Opportunities you never expected can come knocking. If you depend only on external conditions for your growth, you will be constantly shaken. But you will always find a way forward if you build the resilience to adapt like water, as I shared in the interview.
This is why I keep emphasizing inner work in my coaching and writing.
In a previous article, The Biggest Difference Between Average and Peak Performers, I pointed out that top performers focus less on external noise and more on sharpening their internal game. That is what allows them to rise above the average.
I also linked this to what I had shared in How Successful People Handle Stress. Stress is not going away. The pressure of deadlines, responsibilities, and expectations will always be there. What changes is how you respond to it. Leaders who thrive are those who treat every challenge as an opportunity to strengthen themselves.
So, what does it really take to grow as a leader today?
It takes a willingness to manage your energy.
It takes discipline to sharpen your daily routines.
It takes courage to embrace uncertainty instead of fearing it.
And above all, it decides to build your inner leadership first.
Remember: When you grow from within, your influence, your results, and your legacy will naturally expand.
Your Good Friend and Coach
For a deeper dive into inner and outer leadership, you can watch my interview where I was invited on Doordarshan; here, I share lessons from my journey, hoping to inspire you.
Tap here to watch the video.
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