Being a Leader — In Conversation with Dr Tathagat Varma PhD

Being a Leader — In Conversation with Dr Tathagat Varma Hosted by Raghavendra Mithare, PCC What does it mean to lead from the inside out, when the world around you is in constant flux? In this reflective conversation, Dr Tathagat Varma traces a journey shaped by continents crossed, disciplines bridged, and a remarkable expedition to Antarctica.

Together, we explore how formative experiences, from childhood curiosity to confronting the edges of the known world, quietly build the foundations of who we become as leaders. The conversation moves through the terrain of resilience, decision-making under uncertainty, purposeful growth, and the inner compass that keeps us anchored when external certainty runs out. Dr Varma's stories carry something rare: the kind of wisdom that is lived, not borrowed. Life doesn't just happen to leaders. It shapes them. The question is whether we are paying attention.

I learned a great deal in this conversation. One phrase in particular stayed with me: "Deserve before you desire." Simple, but it reframes everything about how we show up as leaders. We also explored what it means to lead from not-knowing, holding ambiguity not as a weakness but as an invitation to stay curious and stay honest. A thoughtful conversation for leaders, professionals, and anyone on the journey of understanding how life, in all its complexity, shapes the people we are becoming.

I hope you enjoy it.