Empowering Leadership Through Resilient & Strategic Leadership Coaching
Subash CV is a Master Certified Coach (ICF), a certified mentor coach (MCCP), a certified healer, and the founder of Regal Unlimited. With over 25 years of corporate experience, including leadership and executive roles, Subash discovered his passion and purpose in professional coaching. His impressive client portfolio showcases his expertise as an executive coach, with organizations such as GSK, GreyMatters Capital, INSEAD, Ford, Adobe, Flipkart, Etek, Novo Nordisk, TCS, and several others.
In a recent interaction with M R Yuvatha, Senior Correspondent at siliconindia, Subash CV shared his insights on ‘Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Coaching Excellence’.
In this evolving landscape, coaching emerges as a powerful tool. The traditional command-and-control leadership style is fading, replaced by a paradigm of partnership where leaders and teams collaborate as equals. This shift encourages shared ownership, collective achievement, and a focus on nurturing potential rather than just driving performance. For Gen Z and millennials, this leadership approach is not optional but expected they seek empowerment, growth, and active participation in shaping solutions. Leaders who adopt this coaching mindset of partnership, co-creation, and potential will be better equipped to navigate ongoing disruptions and inspire the next generation of talent.
The Power of Teamwork in Building Lasting Legacies
Today, everyone watching or tracking India's campaign at the Champions Trophy Cricket has likely heard multiple people speak about team effort, often referencing the concept of ‘I to We’. Whether in corporate settings, business environments, or cricket, the focus on ‘I to We’ is undeniable. The exceptional capabilities of superstars like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli can only carry the team to a certain level. Yet, winning most matches reportedly 23 out of 24 in one-day games, aside from the Champions Trophy highlights the power of collective effort. Their success reflects unified teamwork, with people now explicitly acknowledging that even standout players like Kohli or Sharma must contribute in ways that benefit the team as a whole. The key lies in shifting the mindset from ‘I to me to mine’ to ‘We’ representing the team, company, or industry. This shift in mindset is equally relevant beyond sports.
An influential leader, Deepak Parekh of HDFC Group, once remarked that there’s no such thing as an enduring legacy, despite building world-class institutions across banking, insurance, and securities. Yet, his contributions shaped the industry. If legacies are fleeting, what creates lasting impact? In a fast-paced world where leaders chase short-term targets, a coaching approach can shift the focus to potential. When leaders unlock potential, performance naturally follows. This potential-first mindset is what builds lasting legacies. Just as figures like Dhirubhai Ambani or Ratan Tata are remembered for their contributions, future generations may honor leaders who embraced IQ (Intelligence Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient), and SQ (Spiritual Quotient) building organizations and industries with enduring impact.
The Complete Spectrum of Leadership
In training workshops and coaching sessions, the question often arises: if L E A D E R were an acronym, what would each letter represent? Interestingly, the process begins in reverse from R to L. R stands for result oriented, emphasizing that leader is ultimately judged by the results they deliver. E follows, representing excellence, while A stands for action, underscoring the need for leaders to be proactive. D stands for discipline, a critical yet often overlooked trait. Together, results-orientation, excellence, discipline, action, and create a powerful foundation for leadership. The life of Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the perfect example of this by concentrating on the process instead of getting fixated on outcomes, Dhoni created a legacy of success and resilience. This process mindset, with results being the end in view, makes leaders and their teams capable of riding through any adversity, building a model for long-term growth and influence.
The final two letters, L and E, symbolize love quotient and empathy. True leadership transcends quarterly targets and performance metrics it involves selflessness and sacrifice. As the scriptures state, ‘Only based on sacrifice can one create an enduring legacy’ (Tyagenaike Amrutatva Manushu). Leaders like Ratan Tata are the examples of this spirit, leading with love and prioritizing the common good rather than self-interest. Whereas selfish leadership could have been effective in the past, a changing world consciousness requires something new. Global events such as geopolitical instability and changing political climes are indicators of a shift in collective consciousness. In this changing world, leaders who adopt empathy and love will build lasting legacies, not only successful organizations, but also a better, interconnected society.
The Unspoken Truth about Leadership
In today’s fast-paced business world, leaders often neglect self-care, struggling with basics like sleep and hydration while constantly reacting to crises. This chaotic cycle highlights the need for better planning. “IQ gets us a job. EQ gets us growth. But it is the fulfillment that we deeply aspire for. And it comes from connecting with ‘purpose’, which is nothing but the spiritual quotient (SQ) or love quotient (LQ). Coaching helps you traverse to the ‘fulfillment’ phase and stay there”, states Subash CV.
This journey towards resilience is best visualized as a golden triangle: authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience. Authenticity is crucial, as modern teams quickly sense insincerity. When leaders embrace vulnerability as Brene Brown advocates and shed their masks, they build endurance against setbacks. Without resilience, even leaders at global giants like Nike or Unilever struggle to maintain long-term success. Coaching can be a catalyst for this transformation, providing a safe space to identify and address blind spots that grow with rapid career progression. As Marshall Goldsmith aptly notes, ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’. Sustainable leadership demands balance across physical health, mental agility, emotional stability, creativity, and spiritual growth. Beyond polished presentations and sharp emails, leaders must become master storytellers, inspiring teams with authenticity and vision. Every step taken in this space strengthens the muscles of authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience, reinforcing that leadership is a lifelong journey of learning and humility always in service of society.
In business leadership, emotions have long been seen as a liability, but humans are inherently emotional beings. Denying emotions at work stifles creativity, innovation, and authenticity. Dr. Daniel Goleman’s six emotional leadership styles from authoritative to coaching highlight the importance of emotional intelligence. The key lies in balancing these styles with empathy and self-awareness. For example, authoritative leadership can be powerful when rooted in the team’s well-being rather than personal ego. Even passionate debates, when driven by a shared desire to improve, can strengthen psychological safety if teams understand the intent. Despite growing conversations around psychological safety, many organizations struggle to truly embed it in their culture. Empathy often becomes performative, leaving teams feeling unsupported. True psychological safety emerges when leaders consistently model it.
Summing It Up!
Leadership is not just about titles or past achievements; it’s about continuous growth and enabling others to thrive. Leaders often face the fear of failure when transitioning into senior roles, clinging to past successes. This is their hero’s journey a concept popularized by Joseph Campbell where moving forward requires letting go of old laurels and embracing future potential. Coaches help leaders cultivate a ‘detached attachment’ to past wins, reminding them that leadership is about the next challenge, not the last victory. True leadership lies in creating sustainable systems, where even if someone else takes over, the vision carries on like a relay race. As a former American president once said, ‘A leader’s actions should help others learn, grow, and become more’. This reflection ‘Am I enabling others to become more?’ should guide leaders every day, as true leadership is not about status but the impact made on others.
In a recent interaction with M R Yuvatha, Senior Correspondent at siliconindia, Subash CV shared his insights on ‘Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Coaching Excellence’.
In this evolving landscape, coaching emerges as a powerful tool. The traditional command-and-control leadership style is fading, replaced by a paradigm of partnership where leaders and teams collaborate as equals. This shift encourages shared ownership, collective achievement, and a focus on nurturing potential rather than just driving performance. For Gen Z and millennials, this leadership approach is not optional but expected they seek empowerment, growth, and active participation in shaping solutions. Leaders who adopt this coaching mindset of partnership, co-creation, and potential will be better equipped to navigate ongoing disruptions and inspire the next generation of talent.
The Power of Teamwork in Building Lasting Legacies
Today, everyone watching or tracking India's campaign at the Champions Trophy Cricket has likely heard multiple people speak about team effort, often referencing the concept of ‘I to We’. Whether in corporate settings, business environments, or cricket, the focus on ‘I to We’ is undeniable. The exceptional capabilities of superstars like Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli can only carry the team to a certain level. Yet, winning most matches reportedly 23 out of 24 in one-day games, aside from the Champions Trophy highlights the power of collective effort. Their success reflects unified teamwork, with people now explicitly acknowledging that even standout players like Kohli or Sharma must contribute in ways that benefit the team as a whole. The key lies in shifting the mindset from ‘I to me to mine’ to ‘We’ representing the team, company, or industry. This shift in mindset is equally relevant beyond sports.
An influential leader, Deepak Parekh of HDFC Group, once remarked that there’s no such thing as an enduring legacy, despite building world-class institutions across banking, insurance, and securities. Yet, his contributions shaped the industry. If legacies are fleeting, what creates lasting impact? In a fast-paced world where leaders chase short-term targets, a coaching approach can shift the focus to potential. When leaders unlock potential, performance naturally follows. This potential-first mindset is what builds lasting legacies. Just as figures like Dhirubhai Ambani or Ratan Tata are remembered for their contributions, future generations may honor leaders who embraced IQ (Intelligence Quotient), EQ (Emotional Quotient), and SQ (Spiritual Quotient) building organizations and industries with enduring impact.
IQ gets us a job. EQ gets us growth. But it is the fulfillment that we deeply aspire for. And it comes from connecting with ‘purpose’, which is nothing but the spiritual quotient (SQ) or love quotient (LQ). Coaching helps you traverse to the ‘fulfillment’ phase and stay there.
The Complete Spectrum of Leadership
In training workshops and coaching sessions, the question often arises: if L E A D E R were an acronym, what would each letter represent? Interestingly, the process begins in reverse from R to L. R stands for result oriented, emphasizing that leader is ultimately judged by the results they deliver. E follows, representing excellence, while A stands for action, underscoring the need for leaders to be proactive. D stands for discipline, a critical yet often overlooked trait. Together, results-orientation, excellence, discipline, action, and create a powerful foundation for leadership. The life of Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the perfect example of this by concentrating on the process instead of getting fixated on outcomes, Dhoni created a legacy of success and resilience. This process mindset, with results being the end in view, makes leaders and their teams capable of riding through any adversity, building a model for long-term growth and influence.
The final two letters, L and E, symbolize love quotient and empathy. True leadership transcends quarterly targets and performance metrics it involves selflessness and sacrifice. As the scriptures state, ‘Only based on sacrifice can one create an enduring legacy’ (Tyagenaike Amrutatva Manushu). Leaders like Ratan Tata are the examples of this spirit, leading with love and prioritizing the common good rather than self-interest. Whereas selfish leadership could have been effective in the past, a changing world consciousness requires something new. Global events such as geopolitical instability and changing political climes are indicators of a shift in collective consciousness. In this changing world, leaders who adopt empathy and love will build lasting legacies, not only successful organizations, but also a better, interconnected society.
The Unspoken Truth about Leadership
In today’s fast-paced business world, leaders often neglect self-care, struggling with basics like sleep and hydration while constantly reacting to crises. This chaotic cycle highlights the need for better planning. “IQ gets us a job. EQ gets us growth. But it is the fulfillment that we deeply aspire for. And it comes from connecting with ‘purpose’, which is nothing but the spiritual quotient (SQ) or love quotient (LQ). Coaching helps you traverse to the ‘fulfillment’ phase and stay there”, states Subash CV.
This journey towards resilience is best visualized as a golden triangle: authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience. Authenticity is crucial, as modern teams quickly sense insincerity. When leaders embrace vulnerability as Brene Brown advocates and shed their masks, they build endurance against setbacks. Without resilience, even leaders at global giants like Nike or Unilever struggle to maintain long-term success. Coaching can be a catalyst for this transformation, providing a safe space to identify and address blind spots that grow with rapid career progression. As Marshall Goldsmith aptly notes, ‘What Got You Here Won’t Get You There’. Sustainable leadership demands balance across physical health, mental agility, emotional stability, creativity, and spiritual growth. Beyond polished presentations and sharp emails, leaders must become master storytellers, inspiring teams with authenticity and vision. Every step taken in this space strengthens the muscles of authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience, reinforcing that leadership is a lifelong journey of learning and humility always in service of society.
In business leadership, emotions have long been seen as a liability, but humans are inherently emotional beings. Denying emotions at work stifles creativity, innovation, and authenticity. Dr. Daniel Goleman’s six emotional leadership styles from authoritative to coaching highlight the importance of emotional intelligence. The key lies in balancing these styles with empathy and self-awareness. For example, authoritative leadership can be powerful when rooted in the team’s well-being rather than personal ego. Even passionate debates, when driven by a shared desire to improve, can strengthen psychological safety if teams understand the intent. Despite growing conversations around psychological safety, many organizations struggle to truly embed it in their culture. Empathy often becomes performative, leaving teams feeling unsupported. True psychological safety emerges when leaders consistently model it.
Summing It Up!
Leadership is not just about titles or past achievements; it’s about continuous growth and enabling others to thrive. Leaders often face the fear of failure when transitioning into senior roles, clinging to past successes. This is their hero’s journey a concept popularized by Joseph Campbell where moving forward requires letting go of old laurels and embracing future potential. Coaches help leaders cultivate a ‘detached attachment’ to past wins, reminding them that leadership is about the next challenge, not the last victory. True leadership lies in creating sustainable systems, where even if someone else takes over, the vision carries on like a relay race. As a former American president once said, ‘A leader’s actions should help others learn, grow, and become more’. This reflection ‘Am I enabling others to become more?’ should guide leaders every day, as true leadership is not about status but the impact made on others.
