Women in Lead – Vasudha Sondhi – Managing Director Outbound Marketing & Connect Worldwide India

One of the most recognisable faces of the Indian travel and hospitality sector, this dynamic Chennai-born Leo, learnt her ropes in Mumbai and put her skills and learnings to practice on the corporate chessboard of New Delhi. 35 years and counting and this auto-winding persona continues on her journey of discovering newer opportunities and juggling multiple hats simultaneously.

Apart from being an entrepreneur who’s always ahead of the curve, Vasudha is a fiercely independent woman with steely grit and resolve. As the Regional Director, Sales and Marketing for Le Meridien Hotels for 15 years, she effortlessly delivered a wide gamut of branding concepts, strategies, and campaigns. At the peak of her career, Vasudha took the plunge to start her own venture, Outbound Marketing, to cater to the demand for new market approaches. She and her highly motivated team are responsible for delivering the client’s contractual obligations. Vasudha is the driving force behind the sales and strategy in her company.

She’s an avid reader, likes to experiment with food, and loves an element of mystery and adventure in her travel. Over the weekends, she is usually found at her village hideout where she mentors art and artists. Through Annapurna Foundation, she is active in girl child education and more recently worked on self-employment and sustainable tourism projects in Peora, Uttarakhand. She is also a very active member of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Ladies Organization (FICCI- FLO), which is the largest body of Women Entrepreneurs in Asia.

“Every day is a new day, and every challenge is new. You can never have a boring day syndrome. Passion is what drives me and I like to believe it percolates down to my team
as it reflects in their outreach. A leader must have a clear vision about the goalpost and I’m very clear that the trajectory I choose cannot compromise my belief system. This is my way of setting an example for my team on the path I require them to take in achieving our common goals.”

According to Vasudha, a good leader can be set apart from the herd if they look after the interests of the team. Finally, decisiveness is crucial. Consensus building is necessary, but there is a time to take action for which one needs a very broad set of shoulders to handle any risks.

Vasudha believes that empathy is one of the most beneficial attributes a leader can possess. It is an ability to understand and even anticipate the needs of others, an awareness of their feelings and their thinking. It is not about agreeing with their point of view, but it means an effort to understand and appreciate it. Empathy is the key part of leadership as it is the ability to listen, relate, connect and build a bonding with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.

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