At Brilliant Read Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Shyma Sudheendran, a Senior Corporate leader with over two decades of experience in Learning and Leadership Development, for an exclusive interview.
Shyma is a Director of Learning & Development at a Fortune 500 Organization, a Mindset and Leadership Coach, an Entrepreneur and a Digital Creator. Her journey spans the Corporate Boardroom, Global Learning Ecosystems, Entrepreneurship and Personal Transformation. Let’s learn more about her background, journey, and the insights she shares with our community.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shyma:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My professional journey has been shaped by two parallel passions: developing people and building brands. With two decades of corporate experience, I currently serve as Director of Learning & Development at a Fortune 500 company, where I lead learning delivery strategy and initiatives for a global workforce.
Alongside my corporate career, I am also a Mindset & Leadership coach, Entrepreneur and a digital creator. Above all, I am a mother to two incredible daughters who are my greatest source of inspiration and grounding.
I believe a woman does not have to choose one role over another. She can be a leader, a mother, an artist, an entrepreneur, and a dreamer — all at once. Each facet strengthens the other.
How did you discover your passion?
My passions unfolded through intentional self-exploration and professional evolution, rather than a single defining moment. Each new experience — from leadership roles to performing on the Marvellous Mrs. India stage — revealed a part of me that felt deeply alive.
Over time, a clear pattern emerged: I am most fulfilled when I help people unlock confidence, clarity, and self-belief—whether through structured leadership programs, mindset coaching, personality development, or the confidence that comes from image, presence, and self-care.
Today, my passion is my compass, not just a career choice. It aligns with who I am — as a woman, a leader, a coach and a creator.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
I won’t pretend that I don’t have difficult days — I do. There are moments of self-doubt, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion, when I question whether I’m doing enough or being enough. I won’t pretend that I don’t have difficult days—there are moments of self-doubt, emotional fatigue, and overwhelm. But years of leadership have taught me that acknowledging these moments doesn’t diminish strength; it humanises it.
What keeps me going is the conscious choice not to remain stuck. I allow myself to pause, reflect, and realign—but I do not allow self-doubt to define my direction. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my experience, values, and inner compass more than my fears.
My daughters are my greatest anchor, and I want them to see that strength isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about showing up consistently, even when things feel heavy. I am deeply supported by my husband and family, whose belief in me provides the stability, encouragement, and emotional grounding that allow me to lead with clarity and resilience, both at work and in life.
I’m also deeply driven by purpose and impact. When people share how my journey or my coaching helped them believe in themselves, I’m reminded that even my imperfect days hold meaning. Ultimately, what keeps me going is the belief that every challenge is shaping me into a stronger, more grounded version of myself — and that growth often begins in the moments we feel most unsure.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) First, self-acceptance changes everything. The moment I stopped seeking validation and started trusting myself, my confidence, choices, and growth shifted. When you truly accept who you are — flaws, strengths, and all — you stop shrinking and start showing up fully.
2) Second, resilience is built in the quiet, unseen moments. Life doesn’t always unfold as planned. There have been phases of self-doubt, overwhelm, and uncertainty, but I’ve learned that strength isn’t about avoiding struggles — it’s about continuing to move forward even when the path isn’t clear. Growth often happens silently before it becomes visible.
3) Third, the people you surround yourself with matter deeply. Supportive relationships — family, friends, mentors, and well-wishers — shape how far and how confidently you go. Having people who believe in you, hold space for you, and encourage your authentic self makes every challenge lighter and every success more meaningful.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success means different things to different people, but for me, it begins with alignment — between who you are, what you believe in, and how you show up every day. True success isn’t just about achieving milestones; it’s about becoming a more confident, grounded, and fulfilled version of yourself along the way.
The first key is self-belief and self-acceptance. When you stop comparing your journey to others and start owning your path, you move with far greater clarity and confidence.
The second is taking responsibility for your choices, your growth, and your mindset. Waiting for the right time or external validation only delays progress.
Third, consistency over intensity. Success isn’t built in dramatic moments; it’s created through small, disciplined actions repeated day after day, even when motivation is low.
Another critical element is curiosity and continuous learning. Staying open, adaptable, and willing to evolve keeps you relevant in both life and career.
Finally, success requires courage — the courage to stand up for yourself, set boundaries, and take action despite fear or self-doubt.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
My advice would be to invest in yourself before chasing titles or timelines. Careers today are rarely linear, and success is no longer about reaching a destination quickly — it’s about building skills that last.
Start by understanding your strengths, interests, and values. Don’t rush into decisions simply because something looks popular or prestigious. Give yourself time to explore, learn, and refine your direction, especially in the early years.
Focus on developing communication skills, emotional intelligence, and confidence — these will take you further than technical expertise alone. Stay curious, ask questions, seek feedback, and don’t be afraid to learn from mistakes.
Most importantly, think long-term. Make career choices that support not just professional growth, but also the life and lifestyle you want to build. When your work aligns with who you are, success becomes sustainable and deeply fulfilling.
And remember — it’s okay to evolve. What matters is staying intentional, resilient, and open to learning at every stage.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
What makes my journey truly satisfying is the impact it creates beyond me. Whether through my corporate work, coaching & mentoring sessions, or even a simple conversation, when someone tells me they felt inspired to begin again or believe in themselves, it reaffirms my purpose.
I find deep fulfilment in watching people grow — in their confidence, clarity, and courage. Seeing those shifts, especially in women, makes every challenge worthwhile. Their progress feels personal because I see their wins as shared wins.
The journey remains exciting because I am constantly evolving. I’ve learned to embrace new roles, new stages, and new versions of myself without losing sight of who I am at my core. From the boardroom to the stage, from motherhood to entrepreneurship, each phase brings fresh learning and renewed energy.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
