Toolika Gupta

I’d attribute it to a combination of consistency, self-belief, and the willingness to grow, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Over time, I’ve learned that success isn’t usually about one big moment. It’s about showing up every day, even when you’re unsure or feel outnumbered, and continuing to move forward. Early in my career, there were moments when I questioned whether my voice would be heard, especially being the only woman in the room. But instead of stepping back, I chose to stay present, speak up, and trust that my perspective had value.

I also credit a lot of my growth to mentorship and being open to learning. Listening, adapting, and constantly refining how I approach challenges has helped me evolve in my role and build stronger relationships.

And finally, resilience. There have been setbacks and moments of doubt, but I’ve focused on not staying stuck in those moments. Progress, even slow progress, has always been more important than perfection.

If I had to sum it up: I didn’t rush success, I stayed committed to the process.

One piece of advice from a mentor has stayed with me throughout my journey: you may start slow, but don’t stay there..keep moving. Progress doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful. What matters is consistency - showing up, staying present, and continuing forward, no matter the pace.

There were moments early in my career when I questioned whether my voice would truly be heard, especially as a woman in rooms dominated by men, often finding myself the only one at the table. It can be intimidating. It can make you doubt your place. But I was reminded that presence itself is power. Even when you feel uncertain, even when you’re told you need to do more or be better ,,listen, learn, and keep moving forward. Don’t let yourself remain stuck in self-doubt.

If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl, but keep moving.

That mindset has shaped how I approach opportunities. I rarely say no to meaningful ones, even when I don’t feel completely ready. Growth doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from stepping into spaces that challenge you. There will always be someone more experienced, more prepared but that should never stop you from showing up and claiming your space.

Over time, I’ve learned to replace impatience with trust in the process. I no longer expect immediate perfection. Instead, I focus on progress. Consistency, persistence, and patience; those are the real differentiators.

You don’t have to be perfect to be a go-getter. You just have to keep going.

And as women, especially, our presence, our voice, and our resilience matter. Every step forward no matter how small is a step toward breaking barriers, not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us.

My advice to young women is simple: don’t wait to feel ready. You’ll never feel completely ready unless you start.

I’ve seen that when the same opportunity comes, women often question themselves while men just say yes. I’ve learned to say yes, and figure it out along the way. That’s how growth happens.

At the same time, don’t try to do everything at once. There’s no perfect work-life balance. Life comes in phases. I’ve learned that when something truly matters, whether it’s work, health, or personal life , prioritize it without guilt.

Be kind to yourself, say yes to opportunities, and trust that things will work out when you focus on what matters most in the moment.

I’ve been with the same company and industry for 15 years, but it’s never been easy. One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is constant change—market volatility, restructures, and the rapid impact of AI on roles and skills. That uncertainty naturally creates fear, but it also creates opportunity.

The biggest opportunity is for professionals who are willing to adapt, upskill, and evolve. AI isn’t just replacing roles—it’s reshaping them. Those who invest in learning, stay curious, and expand their capabilities will stay relevant and in demand.

I see this phase as a shift from doing things the way we’ve always done them to rethinking how value is created. The ability to learn quickly, think strategically, and embrace change is becoming more important than any single job title or function.

Empathy is one of my strongest values. I feel it deeply, sometimes I even feel I have more empathy than most and for a period of time, I questioned that about myself. I wondered why I was feeling so strongly for everyone else before myself, and while I did learn the importance of self‑care, I also realized something important: empathy is who I am, and it’s not something I want to change.

Over time, I’ve seen how empathy has helped me personally and professionally. There have definitely been moments where I felt that maybe I wasn’t supposed to be empathetic but that’s not something I can switch off, and honestly, I don’t think I should. I strongly believe that leading with empathy is critical. Being able to truly listen, to understand where someone is coming from, and to put yourself in their shoes whether that’s a client, a team member, or a family member creates trust and stronger relationships.

As women, empathy often comes very naturally to us. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes misunderstood as being “soft.” But today, empathy is finally being recognized for what it truly is: a leadership strength. Empathetic leaders build better teams, retain stronger relationships, and lead with humanity and I’m proud that this is part of my leadership style.

Along with empathy, accountability is extremely important to me. If I take on a responsibility, professionally or personally, I own it fully. In my personal life, my husband and I both have demanding roles, so we consciously divide responsibilities. Whatever I take ownership of, whether it involves our parents in India, my niece, or family matters, I make sure I see it through.

The same applies at work. If I’m assigned a task, I make sure I do justice to it. While I may not always control the outcome, I can control my effort, my ownership, and my timeliness. I take responsibility for my actions, right or wrong and I believe accountability builds credibility and trust.

At the core, I believe in being empathetic toward people and accountable for my actions. That balance understanding people while owning outcomes is what guides me as a professional and as a human being.