From the brave-hearted Kiran Bedi to illustriously creative Chetan Bhagat, the classrooms of IIT-Delhi have witnessed lakhs of notable alumni; who are constantly setting a benchmark in various spheres of life. One among these achievers and change-makers, Kanika Singal, describes her journey with IIT to be phenomenal and enduring, which ultimately helped her to evolve into the individual that she is today. With the powerful aim of helping women and building versatile and effective business in the Indian startup ecosystem, she launched Nextleap advisory. She also co-founded Jadooz Media for promoting next-gen entertainment. It is indeed a pleasure for Women Entrepreneur India to engage in an exclusive conversation with Kanika.

Appreciating her leadership traits and continuous learning peregrination, we bring to you the insightful snippets of the interaction. Walk us through your early educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table. Since my childhood, I have been good at both math and art. Hence, business and design became a natural part of me. I studied to be an architect and was enticed by the world of business to do an MBA. While as an architect, I worked with leading companies like Nirula’s and McDonald's, it was my MBA, which took me to McKinsey & Co, the best consulting firm globally. Understanding certain CEO thinks like how to communicate, think strategically, and work globally were a part of my initial years of training, In the real world. “IIT D and McKinsey, I often say, were the best graduate schools I went to”.

What Are Some Key Business Lessons That You Learned Through Your Prior Experience That Is Still A Part Of Your Approach To Leadership?

The biggest life lesson that I learned, which has become my anchor in my leadership is behind every title, there is a human being. As long as you make an effort to speak to the person behind the title, everything will work out. All of us guardians of the role we are in. Everyone is a trustee to the role they are in and I call this the trusteeship and the humane model of leadership. Every role is important – and key to work. And just because, someone, is holding an higher position, does not necessary make them them- they are just more relevant for the role. Our job, is to do the best in the role and for the role we are in. Even it is cutting fruits.

What Motivated You To Establish Nextleap & Jadooz? What Was The Underlying Idea Behind Establishing The Company?

Nextleap advisory, started as a search firm, but quickly evolved into trusted thought partners to the leadership – where we solve problems from design to business. The company was created with the idea to experiment with creating an opportunity for women who are on a career break and are looking to use their skills. It was thought of as an organization that will be profitable and not run after valuation. We looked at the low-hanging fruits and skills that are available and matched the two to build Nextleap.

In one such discussion with at Nextleap, in a brainstorm challengeto help design in-expensive education centers across India, the idea of Jadooz started taking shape. Jadooz, envisaged as a first edutainment center for Bharat, was conceptualized, designed by me, bringing together my design, branding and management skills in one place. The first principle thinking learnt at IITD, was key to be able to build Jadooz. Nextleap is an advisory firm and Jadooz, is a cinema chain for the masses. Both, shaped by the core education of problem solving, and critical thinking, learnt under the four walls of IITD.

What Has Been The Driving Force Behind Your Success As A Professional?

Contrary to popular belief, I have always followed my heart. At different stages in life, different things became interesting, and I kept working on these. Being fearless to try new things, always open to learning and new experiences, and a belief, that it will all work out in the end. Coming from a middle-class India family, we knew how to live on budget. Never developed expensive taste, but our values of ethics and integrity, were expensive. Hard work and do the best in every role I was in, has been the driving force. I have been an architect, author, business consultant, entrepreneur- in India, US, worked in the corporate sector and launched global brands.

"I would like to create a woman-for-woman movement, where each woman pledges to bring in one more woman into their team, and their board and support them to grow"

A lifelong learner, I am pursuing a PhD at IIT delhi, currently. I have also been lucky to have worked with the top one percent of people, and live in the most sought-after cities in the world, but the realization is the authentic conversations, and resilience that take you ahead. The values of trusteeship- where one does not get too attached to the outcome, helped deliver my best. Most importantly, my parents who opened the doors for me, and set goals and targets for me, were the driving force. I now realize, it was their need for excellence that struck the spark in me.

In Your Opinion What Have Been Some Of The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey?

The most significant milestone is yet to come, but the ability to seamlessly transition into multiple roles and be adaptable, I believe has been a rather significant achievement.

What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women & Girls Who Also Aspire To Become Business Leaders $ Entrepreneurs In The Future?

For the longest time, I felt there were no biases, but there are so many biases in the world we live in that they feel normal. Learn to identify them and choose the biases you want to fight, because they will happen. I truly believe in #women for women. It is not about breaking the glass ceiling, but it is about how many people can you take along with you and help them break that too. Money and Power, are not the only benchmarks of success. Define your own. My current parameter of success is having ownership of my time. Winning over my mind, to act vs react in situations. When ever people remember me, I will like to remembered with a smile and respect.

These are mine. Do not get swayed by the buzz- it is a buzz. Enjoy the buzz, but hold on to fundamentals. I run Jadooz and Nextleap; One is a traditional business that pays its employees monthly salary, while the other is a business, that relies on external equity or debt funding to pay employees- currently. In the world we live in today, Jadooz will be celebrated in media while Nextleap, will never. Jadooz is a promise for future, Nextleap is making money today. Make your own decision, on the path you choose.

Kanika Singal, Managing Director, Nextleap Advisory

 Kanika has been actively involved in cocreating the businesses with people, who are driving change – with women - treading beyond the conventional approaches in Design, Strategy, People and Marketing. She splits her time between Silicon Valley and Delhi (India).