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Mansee Singhal

Mercer Rewards Consulting Leader - India

07/03/2024

"I believe that there is no such thing as a good ‘woman’ leader or ‘man’ leader – a leader is a leader. You’re not defined by your gender, but by what you bring to the table."

I believe that beauty lies in achieving extraordinary things in a very ordinary life. It’s all about choosing your ordinary.

This is an insight that has guided me along my leadership journey – a journey that started as far back as my Grade 5 year, when my abilities were first recognised!

I joined Mercer India 13 years. My first post in the company’s rewards business saw me focus on the southern region; soon, I added a number of industries across the country to my portfolio. I am now the country leader.

I have been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented people, and have learnt a lot from them. It’s made for a wonderful and very rewarding journey (no pun intended!), and my time at Mercer has been both interesting and fulfilling.

I believe that there is no such thing as a good ‘woman’ leader or ‘man’ leader – a leader is a leader. You’re not defined by your gender, but by what you bring to the table: great leaders offer good, honest, hard work and have a passion for growth – their own and that of those around them. They’re driven to be the best in the industry – but, at the same time, they are not focused on themselves to the exclusion of all else. To the contrary, they are alert to the needs of their team and want to see them excel, too.

Of course, leadership also brings challenges. These are amplified in a field like consulting, which carries its own challenges. Many say that it is a profession that leaves little time for life. My own approach to achieving work/life balance hinges on seeing life as a mathematical equation: the more variables you have to consider, the more difficult it becomes. Nonetheless, you must strive to keep both sides of the equation balanced.

One way to do this is by making every moment count. I make a point of celebrating every milestone, from contracts that have been renewed to the launch of a new logo or a successful event, a baby shower or colleague’s birthday. Celebrating these moments together makes them more memorable, and they build up to become a life you’ll enjoy looking back on.

It also helps to keep perspective. On the one hand, we have to be cognizant of the workplace skills that help us craft solutions which allow us to stay relevant in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment. On the other hand, we must bear in mind our responsibilities as parents. I try my best to steer clear of ‘mom guilt’. We do so much for our children, so we should be able to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we inevitably make.

Teamwork is also key to great leadership. I believe that you are only as successful as your team – so focus on building a strong one. Support people when you can see them struggling, and don’t allow anyone to slip through the crack. When the situation is reversed and you find yourself battling, you’ll be able to rely on your teammates. You should never feel ashamed to do this. Asking for help doesn’t make us weak. To the contrary, it is a sign of strength.

On that note, each of us has our own strengths. Each of us brings something to the team, like flowers in a bouquet: each bloom is unique, beautiful on its own, but spectacular when combined with others. Harnessing this diversity makes us more powerful. I am lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful set of individuals who bring their singular strengths to work every day.