Interview with Darlsie Budhoo

As I promised last week, here is the first of the features on women. Our subject today is a young lady who is a team leader and coach at one of SA's big companies.. Darlsie Budhoo; She is someone I have seen grow from strength to strength to her current role of leadership, and I believe hers is a story of hard work and perseverance, pressing against all stereotyping and obstacles to get where she is..(I meant to attach a photo with this interview so you can have an idea of the person behind the answers, but had a technical glitch, I promise to attach it as soon as I can) 1) What part has passion played in your progress in your career? My passion has at many times been the one thing that has kept me going, when the going was tough. Anyone can follow instructions and get the job done, but one passionate person can change the world with just will. 2) What obstacles/challenges did you come across and how did you overcome them, if you did? My biggest challenges were keeping my work life balance in check and managing change positively. Keeping my work life balance is something I am now managing well. I took an EI course and it involved unpacking a lot of personal issues and realising that some of the techniques that I use to manage my work were the perfect solutions for managing my personal life as well. I'm still going through an unpleasant divorce but I've come to terms with it and I'm moving on. 3) If not how are you managing with the current/existing obstacles? I've leant to accept what I can't change and also to adapt. When I was younger I struggled with change because I was constantly looking for security and comfort and everytime changes occurred I had to start all over again. Now I not only embrace change but I advocate for change because I understand that we are an evolutionary species and that the only constant in life is change. Change opens up opportunities for growth and innovation. It also takes us out of our comfort zones and gives us opportunities to learn new things about ourselves and identify new skills we didn't even know we had. 4) What’s your 1st reaction when you come across a challenge, what kind of thoughts run through your mind? My first thought is always one of high alert but this is also my strength because my problem solving thought process is triggered by this. I go into this logical thought space that enables me to weigh multiple possible solutions. My first thought is like my alarm trigger. 5) What kind of support do you prefer to have when you face a challenge? For me the first step is self introspection to fully diagnose the challenge and how it affects me and then I move on to brainstorming with like minded peers to hear their thoughts and direction. 6) What mindset has this journey (to and in this position) developed in you? This journey has taught me to be stronger emotionally. Leading a large number of people is an emotionally draining role. I've learnt that if u're not an emotional rock as a leader, all the training, support and potential means nothing. Leadership is not about the instructions but about having a mutual understanding with each of your staff, which makes it easy to align goals. 7) What has been the greatest lesson you have learned thus far? I've learnt that learning never stops and it's not confined to training rooms and classrooms. I've learn that you can learn a valuable lesson from even from a small child, if you open yourself up to it and stay humble. 8) What do you think is the single most important reason people find themselves unable to progress in life? "I think people don't progress because they have inferiority complexes, they tend to look up to other people which is not wrong, however they also look to them to progress and grow. But, they don't consider that even they can achieve the same or better if they just give themselves a chance or just believe that they are capable. Most people also spend so much time and effort sweating the small insignificant stuff such that they won't even have the energy or capability to identify the BIG opportunities staring them in the face. 9) What words of encouragement can you give to people with the same desires, or people struggling to break through barriers /limitations? "I live by the mantra that "If someone else can think it or do it, then so can I." So while I'm in awe of the world's genius', I also believe that as long as I live I still have an opportunity to make my mark. 10) Any philosophy ( ideology) that you live by? "If someone else can think it or do it, then so can I." That also means so can YOU. Enough said, see you next time.