Lessons in Leadership, Part II: Outsider status, and how to find your voice

In my inaugural article to this series, I talk about the importance of reframing your layoff ‘era’ as your ‘learning era .’ But learning is as much about adding to your knowledge as it is about unlearning. In this installment, I talked with my colleague, Anita Puri , a powerhouse executive with experience leading businesses across industries, who went through that very process to unlock her leadership style.

Her journey is one many leaders may personally recognize, as it involves navigating the tensions between your authentic inner voice and the expectations of the external world. The five lessons she shared are a template not just for great leadership, but for confidently navigating life.

#1 - Look outside yourself to discover your voice: Not everyone is born in an environment that champions their thinking. But finding your voice, and crafting a point of view, is something that can be nurtured over time. It begins by looking outside yourself. Drawn by an insatiable curiosity for the world, for systems and for politics at an early age, Anita found that wrestling with complex notions helped her to define her own values and beliefs. Staying insatiably curious, asking the “why?” behind the things you value, and seeking out alternative viewpoints that challenge your perspective are exercises that will not only help would-be leaders uncover their points of view, but also stay open-minded and connected to their inner moral compass.

#2 - Unlearn the beliefs that mute your voice: As a young Indian-American girl, Anita was keenly aware of the dual dynamics at play between her family and the expectations of her culture. At home, a space where debate and critical thinking were celebrated, her intellect and curiosity were nourished. But in traditional Indian culture, she knew she was expected to be compliant, to defer to her elders, and to mute her voice out of respect. When she began in the professional sphere, that silent deference was her default. But one manager unlocked her inner voice by asking the simple question, “what do you think?” By seeking out the opinions of his direct reports, he gave Anita permission to unlearn one way of thinking and the confidence to speak her mind. Leadership, she resolved, was as much about giving others a voice as finding your own.

?#3 - Embrace your difference: An ad agency veteran trained in molecular biology, a female leader in traditionally male-dominated environments, and as the child of immigrants growing up in Missouri, Anita has often found herself as a stand out. But being the ‘outsider’ in these environments also became the fuel for independent thinking. In molecular biology, Anita studied how microscopic changes can dramatically impact the whole; the same was true of independent thinking introduced into a larger system. That independent thinking is what propelled Anita into leadership positions and why she was called upon to tackle the toughest transformations. By embracing what makes you different, leaders position themselves as change agents for bigger transformations in their teams and businesses.

#4 - Find power through adversity: Growing up in Missouri, Anita watched her parents navigate American culture step by step. She saw how staying true to their cultural heritage often came at a price—but they persisted, and succeeded, despite setbacks and discrimination. That tenacity became an inspiration as Anita entered the corporate world, but it became a deeper calling after September 11th. Anita recalled how being a woman of color in that troubling time often meant being targeted with harassment and hate. But the hate didn’t make Anita shrink from her identity or heritage. It made her realize how important having a voice truly was. She vowed to always stand up for the underdog, for her teams and for what is right. Leaders can put power and purpose behind their voice by putting those same two principles—accountability and action—into practice.

#5 - Transform your voice into your vision: Having a voice isn’t about being the loudest in the room. What I learned in my discussion with Anita, was that having a voice is about having values. When you know what you value, you are better able to set a course for yourself and for others. You are better able to inspire because you are driven by a purpose beyond the immediate. And you can articulate a clearer vision for your teams because you know what you must prioritize.

Now it’s your turn: When was a time you muted your voice? What change have you been able to unlock through the power of your voice?

Read Part I in this series, featuring Jason Yutesler , on “Pizza making and the art of servant leadership.”