In today’s demanding work culture, especially for women navigating leadership and life roles, the concept of “having it all” often hides a painful truth — many of us are burning out silently. In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Wellness at Work India, we bring you a conversation that cuts through the noise and speaks directly to the heart.
Our guests, Rajani Tiwari and Neha Gupta, bring decades of leadership experience in the HR and corporate space — but in this episode, they bring something even more powerful: vulnerability, honesty, and lived truth.
This is not just an episode about leadership. It’s about the emotional weight women carry, the silent trade-offs they make, and the pressing need for organizations to understand that wellness is not a perk — it’s a survival strategy.
Rajani shares a moment that stopped us in our tracks — when she sat in a restaurant and couldn’t remember what she loved to eat. After years of prioritizing her child, her work, her home, and everything else in between, she had unknowingly erased her own preferences. That one incident became symbolic of something larger: how burnout quietly chips away at identity.
This isn’t just her story — it’s the story of so many women who lead from the front, manage households, strive for perfection, and still wonder if they’re doing enough. This episode is for them.
Burnout is often invisible
It doesn’t always look like breakdowns — it can look like forgetting your own preferences, losing joy in routines, or constantly feeling drained despite “having it all.”
Wellness is not a luxury
Both guests emphasize that wellness is foundational — not an optional add-on for high performers. It directly impacts productivity, clarity, and leadership effectiveness.
Asking for help is strength, not weakness
Therapy and counseling are not signs of failure — they are acts of courage. Even leaders and coaches need emotional support.
Working mothers carry an emotional load few see
The mental gymnastics of balancing family, work, guilt, and self often go unnoticed — leading to quiet exhaustion and identity loss.
True inclusion goes beyond checkboxes
Inclusion is not just about hiring. It’s about creating safe, respectful environments where people of all backgrounds feel seen, valued, and supported.
Self-worth must be reclaimed, not outsourced
Leadership and happiness begin with knowing yourself, not through external validation or societal roles.
Psychological safety is a business advantage
Cultures where people feel safe to speak, fail, and be vulnerable are more innovative, productive, and human.
Empowerment is about ownership, not control
Real empowerment means trusting people, giving space, and being available for support — not micromanaging their outcomes.
Gratitude transforms the way we lead
Recognizing progress and being thankful for the journey — not just the destination — is essential for sustained emotional wellness.
Leadership begins with being real
The best leaders don’t hide behind titles. They show up as humans first — honest, vulnerable, and connected to themselves and their teams.
Group CHRO at GreenCell Mobility, Rajani is a passionate people leader known for building inclusive, purpose-driven workplaces. With nearly two decades of experience across industries, she champions skilling, diversity, and ethical leadership—bringing heart into HR.
