An Interview With Cynthia Corsetti
Show how to use respectful language as a leader:
In a leadership meeting, I handled a potentially divisive political topic by bringing up the organization’s shared values. I stressed how important it is to keep the workplace friendly.
In an age where political discussions have become more polarized than ever, workplaces are increasingly becoming arenas for political debates. While it’s essential to respect diverse opinions and encourage free speech, unchecked political discussions can create rifts, hinder productivity, and disrupt the harmony of a work environment. How can organizations strike a balance? How can they create a culture that values diversity of thought while preventing divisive political discussions from overshadowing work objectives? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sneha Mandala.
Sneha Mandala is an expert in “Sustainable Peak Performance” for corporate and tech professionals. Her focus is on optimizing employee performance while combating disengagement and burnout, which has been proven to significantly reduce business expenses. In fact, this problem is currently costing the U.S. economy $1 trillion annually.
Sneha also holds the prestigious Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coach Federation (ICF). This is a rare accomplishment at her age, as only around 350 coaches in the millennial age group have achieved professional credentials out of the 300,000 coaches in the U.S. according to ICF studies.
As a highly regarded speaker for Vistage, the world’s largest executive coaching organization, Sneha Mandala has trained and coached business and tech leaders with remarkable results. She has reduced turnover and elevated engagement and performance in these organizations. Her expertise has led to repeat appearances on Fox24 News, where she dissects intricate corporate issues and provides impactful solutions that resonate with diverse employee age groups.
Sneha Mandala has over 1500 coaching hours under her belt, specializing in making work “effortless”. Her innovative two-step framework for effortless work, featured in a TED talk, has transformed corporate work culture dynamics. Additionally, she has pioneered transformative L&D programs, introduced gamification and TikTok-style learning, and served as a keynote speaker for executive audiences. All of these accomplishments have solidified her reputation in Sustainable Peak Performance.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about succession, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My life’s narrative is not one of hardship; it’s a testament to my resilience. As a brown woman in the U.S., I persevered, choosing to view challenges as opportunities for personal development and transformation.
At 23, I embarked on a remarkable adventure, leaving my family and homeland in India with only $1000 and a limited grasp of the English language. The initial excitement of starting a new life in a foreign land was soon met with the stark reality of unfamiliarity and discomfort.
In 2015, I came to the U.S. to pursue a Master’s degree in industrial engineering in Chicago, marking the beginning of my new phase of life. To support myself, I found employment on campus, ensuring my funds would cover expenses and tuition.
In 2017, a global brand offered me a position working on robotics projects in their warehouses in Seattle. Despite encountering resistance from warehouse workers who dubbed me a “job stealer,” I made a promise to myself. I resolved to work with people, not machines, and help individuals unlock their full potential.
By 2019, I chose to pivot from my engineering career, leaving behind the city life and relocating to a small town near New York City. Here, I embarked on a new path in coaching and learning and development. This transition was far from easy, but I embraced it wholeheartedly, never looking back. The start of a new decade brought with it a new role as a mother.
My journey reflects adaptability and flexibility as I navigated different cities, cultures, and careers. My commitment to effortless living remained a constant. For me, this meant achieving peak performance while minimizing stress and effectively managing my energy. I distill my approach into four fundamental principles:
1. Being Oneself: I embraced my natural quirks and identity, never feeling the need to conceal my true self.
2. Finding Flow: Being “in the zone” was an energizing experience I cherished and leveraged.
3. ‘Being’ vs. ‘Doing’: I believed in the power of ‘being,’ rather than struggling to ‘do’ something that went against my true nature.
4. Smart Work: I recognized that while hard work had its place, smart efforts were the key to sustainable success.
I openly challenge the conventional wisdom that success can only be attained through relentless hustle and grind. I dismiss it as a misconception, advocating for a path of least resistance where work feels natural and effortless, akin to an athlete “in the zone.”
I am dedicated to assisting others in winning without burning out and to living a life in which peak performance comes naturally. In a world that often values the grind, I stand as a beacon of sustainable success, embracing effortlessness and guiding others to do the same.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
In 2015, I was recruited by one of the world’s largest companies, fresh off of earning my Masters Degree. My parents back in India could not contain their excitement. They would tell all their friends about how their smart daughter got into this large organization.
And in some ways, I was happy too.
Giving my best, going beyond my role — working hard. And my results were… fine.
To be fair, my job was a blast. My team and I were installing robots in warehouses!
But the workers there called us job-stealers.
I felt guilty and I knew that if a robot can do their job, then they need to step up and do more.
So, I started working with them off the clock, on their resumes, and interview skills — so they could become more and never be replaced by a robot.
I noticed something surprising about my efforts and results. I had more energy working on this side project than anything else I was doing. In a short span of time, I saw 6 people advance their careers.
Wait. Did I actually like working with people more than with robots?
This process felt so natural. And my results went through the roof. I was in an effortless state.
Compare this to my regular job where I was working hard but only achieving average results. Same environment. Same me. Different outcome.
I realized that peak performance doesn’t come from hard work and hustle. It comes from being in a state of effortless action.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is from Yoda: “Do or do not, there is no try.”
This profound teaching struck a deep chord with me at a critical juncture in my professional development. Transitioning from my engineering role to coaching and learning development demanded a decisive mindset. Instead of simply trying, I recognized the importance of commitment and action. I am who I am today, contributing to work cultures in various companies, working intensely with CEO’s and executives today because of this.
Yoda’s philosophy became my guiding principle, emphasizing the importance of making decisive decisions. This life-changing experience not only influenced my professional path, but also instilled in me the value of unwavering commitment and the realization that genuine growth comes from boldly embracing change in life and at work.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
My efforts are in the Human Resources and Talent Development sector, with a clear vision of helping corporate and tech employees achieve sustainable peak performance. My mission revolves around creating a workplace culture that embodies the principles of a “flow state,” making work feel effortless, while my values are centered on engineering peak performance while mitigating burnout and attrition.
In the current climate, I am confronted with significant challenges, including the “Great Resignation” and the issue of employees leaving their jobs, costing the US economy over a trillion dollars annually due to high turnover and decreased productivity. My services, which include training, coaching, workshop facilitation, and keynote speaking, are predominantly in-house, ensuring direct control and quality. I primarily cater to a global audience of tech and corporate employees and leaders dealing with disengagement, low productivity, stress, and burnout.
Success, for me, involves two key metrics. On an individual level, I measure success by enhancing an individual’s performance through surveys and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). On an organizational level, I aim to boost my Net Promoter Score, reduce turnover rates, and enhance overall employee efficiency.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. In an era where political discourse is more polarized than ever, what proactive steps do you take within your organization to ensure politics don’t disrupt the harmony and productivity of the work culture?
In navigating today’s polarized political landscape, I prioritize a harmonious work culture within my organization. First, I foster an environment where diverse perspectives are not just acknowledged but celebrated. Open dialogue is encouraged, but I emphasize respectful communication to prevent disruption. Additionally, I promote team-building activities that focus on shared goals and values, transcending political differences. By creating a culture of mutual respect and emphasizing our common purpose, we’ve been able to maintain a productive and inclusive work environment despite external political polarization.
Can you share an experience where political discussions began to impact team dynamics and how you addressed this situation to maintain a positive work environment?
I am Indian, and I work with a lot of other Indians. There was a moment when political discussions in the team about the Indian landscape got a bit heated. It started affecting the overall atmosphere, and that’s when I called for a team chat. We set some ground rules — keep it respectful, focus on our shared objectives. It did the trick. Shifting the focus back to our common goals helped ease the tension, and soon we were back to a positive and collaborative work environment, even amid India’s political buzz.
How do you balance the importance of allowing free speech and personal expression with the need to keep a cohesive and focused work culture?
You can be yourself and share your thoughts but you don’t have to be a jerk about it. Maintaining a balance between free speech and a cohesive work culture is key. I encourage open expression but within the bounds of respect. Team members are free to voice their opinions, fostering a diverse environment. However, when discussions veer off, I gently steer them back to our common goals. It’s about acknowledging individual voices while ensuring they harmonize into a collective symphony, creating a workplace where diverse expressions contribute positively to our shared objectives.
What strategies do you believe are most effective in creating a neutral work environment that respects diverse political views without allowing them to cause division among team members?
In my playbook, the strategy is all about fostering a neutral ground where diverse political views are respected. First off, setting clear expectations for respectful communication is crucial. Encourage open dialogues but emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional tone. Team-building activities focused on shared goals, rather than political differences, help to build unity. Additionally, I promote an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued, irrespective of their political stance. By creating this neutral space, we ensure that political views don’t become divisive, preserving a cohesive team spirit.
What role do you think leadership should play in setting the tone for political conversations at work, and can you provide an example of how you’ve navigated this delicate balance?
I believe strongly that the most respectful discussions happen in the sweet spot between candor and curiosity.
Leadership sets the tone by modeling respectful discourse and emphasizing shared goals. Personally, during a politically charged period, I initiated a team discussion. I encouraged everyone to express their views while highlighting the need for respect. I shared my perspective on maintaining a united front despite differing political beliefs. This helped establish a culture of open dialogue without division. Leadership’s role is to guide conversations, ensuring they contribute positively to the work environment, demonstrating that diverse opinions can coexist within a framework of mutual respect.
What are your “Five Things You Need To Do To Prevent Politics From Disrupting Your Work Culture”?
Of course! Here are five ways to keep politics from getting in the way of your work in my experience:
1 . Set clear rules for communication:
For example, I stressed the importance of respectful communication when talking about politics in a team meeting. I gave them a simple rule: disagree with ideas, not people.
2 . Encourage building inclusive teams:
For example, we planned a team-building activity that wasn’t about politics but about things that everyone liked. This helped team members get to know each other better, which built a sense of unity.
3 . Show how to use respectful language as a leader:
In a leadership meeting, I handled a potentially divisive political topic by bringing up the organization’s shared values. I stressed how important it is to keep the workplace friendly.
4 . Give people other ways to express themselves:
Example: Putting in place a suggestion box or a channel for non-work-related conversations made it possible for team members to talk about politics without getting in the way of other people’s work.
5 . Set up a feedback loop:
For example, I started a feedback session after a very heated political period to find out how the team felt about the atmosphere at work. This information helped us make changes to our approach, which made sure that we kept getting better.
The goal of these strategies is to make a workplace where political discussions can happen while still keeping the peace and getting work done.
Off-topic, but I’m curious. As someone steering the ship, what thoughts or concerns often keep you awake at night? How do those thoughts influence your daily decision-making process?
Navigating the complexities of leadership, ensuring the well-being and success of employees are constant considerations. Balancing the drive for innovation with maintaining a supportive work environment can be challenging. I often reflect on optimizing processes to enhance employee performance in a sustainable manner.
These considerations deeply influence my daily decision-making, emphasizing a people-centric approach while striving for organizational excellence. It’s about fostering an environment where both the team and the organization thrive in harmony.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I am already working on it! I am excited to have sparked a movement promoting “Effortless Work.” Drawing from my journey and expertise in sustainable peak performance, this movement encourages individuals and organizations to embrace their unique flow states. It’s about making work not just productive but inherently joyful and fulfilling.
The movement is inspiring leaders all over the country to prioritize creating conditions for flow — where passion and skill align, and work becomes effortless. By dismantling the misconception that success requires constant hustle, it aims to redefine achievement. Through coaching, workshops, and widespread advocacy, “Effortless Work” would revolutionize how we perceive work, fostering a world where sustainable peak performance is the norm, not the exception.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can stay connected with me through my social media channels, where I consistently share valuable content. Additionally, you’ll find a reflection of my work on my website.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Cynthia Corsetti is an esteemed executive coach with over two decades in corporate leadership and 11 years in executive coaching. Author of the upcoming book, “Dark Drivers,” she guides high-performing professionals and Fortune 500 firms to recognize and manage underlying influences affecting their leadership. Beyond individual coaching, Cynthia offers a 6-month executive transition program and partners with organizations to nurture the next wave of leadership excellence.
Sneha Mandala On How To Prevent Politics From Disrupting Your Work Culture was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.