Women’s Day 2025: 7 Women Share How Mundane Day-To-Day Tasks Teach Them Leadership And Management Skills

We spoke to seven inspiring women who shared how their everyday responsibilities have shaped them into the leaders they are today. Their stories are a testament to the fact that leadership isn’t just about big decisions; it’s about the small, consistent actions that build strength, empathy, and vision.

Home-Grown Skills to Professional Success

Jyotsna Dalal, Owner of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, recognises women as "unsung heroes" whose domestic responsibilities forge leadership abilities.

"Women have always been the unsung heroes, balancing multiple roles and responsibilities with grace and efficiency," says Dalal. "The daily tasks women manage at home—from nurturing family to maintaining a household—show a unique set of skills that translate directly into leadership."

Drawing from her personal experience, she highlights how these seemingly small actions develop critical leadership qualities. "As a mother, daughter, and wife, I've played many roles in my life, and I've learned that these seemingly small actions shape resilience, adaptability, and empathy. Managing stress becomes second nature when you are used to handling many day-to-day challenges with calm and focus."

This sentiment is echoed by Salloni Ghodawat, CEO of Ghodawat Consumer Ltd, who believes that everyday financial management at home provides valuable business acumen.

"From managing the monthly expenses to making decisions in the budget, from resolving conflicts to managing time efficiently, these abilities in a woman are leading the boardroom with confidence," Ghodawat explains. She particularly emphasises women's impact in her industry, noting, "Women are defining the FMCG sector by informing consumer insights, spearheading innovation, and infusing a balance of strategy and empathy into business choices."

Beyond Multitasking: The Strategic Value of Women's Daily Experiences

For Nehal Gupta, Founder and Managing Director of Accelerated Money For U, the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities is more than just efficient time management—it's a strategic advantage.

"Women consistently demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and exceptional multitasking abilities that play a crucial role in their success—whether managing households or leading teams," Gupta shares. "The day-to-day responsibilities they navigate, such as financial management, planning, and problem-solving, cultivate a unique skill set that seamlessly transitions into leadership roles."

This perspective is reinforced by Dr Aakanksha Gupta, Vice President of Media and Communications at S K Education, who sees no separation between home and professional leadership.

"From home to the boardroom, women seamlessly transition between roles, mastering leadership, stress management, and decision-making through their daily tasks," she observes. "A woman who navigates challenges at home with grace is the same leader who drives change in the corporate world."

The Journey From Household Management to Corporate Leadership

Meena Jain, Director of Pride Hotels Group, shares her remarkable journey from homemaker to corporate leader, revealing how domestic skills prepared her for executive roles.

"A woman's day begins long before the world takes notice. Balancing responsibilities, managing emotions, and ensuring everything runs smoothly for those around her are second nature to her," Jain reflects. Her personal story illustrates this transition: "I started as a housewife, then founded Meena Investment Corporation, a financial firm, and later stepped into Pride Hotels as Director of Procurements. It has been over 25 years with Pride, and every day has been a journey of growth and learning."

Jain focuses not just on her own achievements but on lifting other women. "Over the years, I have met many talented women who hesitate to take the next step, held back by self-doubt. My goal has always been to encourage, support, and uplift them to help them see their own strength and limitless potential."

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The Integration of Home and Work: A Foundation for Authentic Leadership

Chaaya Baradhwaaj, Founder and MD of BC Web Wise, challenges the notion that professional and personal life should be separate domains. Instead, she sees them as integrated learning environments that strengthen each other.

"I've realised and I'm still learning that leadership isn't about big decisions; it's built in the smallest, everyday moments," Baradhwaaj shares with candour. "Managing a household teaches you patience, resilience, and the art of balancing multiple priorities—skills that seamlessly translate into running a business."

She draws direct parallels between domestic and professional challenges: "Crisis management? That starts when your child has a meltdown, and you have to stay calm. Delegation? It's ensuring everyone at home plays their part. And stress management? It's finding strength even when things seem to fall apart."

Breaking Barriers While Balancing Responsibilities

Charu Singh, Director at Plus91Labs, acknowledges the continuing challenges women face while celebrating their progress in leadership roles.

"In today's rapidly evolving world, women are skillfully breaking barriers and are setting an example by inspiring the younger generation to dream big," Singh notes. She points to practical challenges that persist: "As per the reports, there are various reasons, like fewer flexible work options, work-life balance, and family responsibilities that pose challenges for the women trying to re-enter the workforce and are even the main reason for them to quit their jobs."

Despite these obstacles, Singh remains optimistic about women's leadership potential: "Despite these challenges, women are showing their presence in every field and often proving their leadership skills." She particularly values emotional resilience as a leadership asset: "Stress management is another area where women excel. Although balancing everything can be challenging and stressful, women have learned to cope effectively. This emotional resilience to manage stress is one of the important traits of a leader, especially when leading the team under pressure."

As Women's Day 2025 approaches, these insights remind us that leadership development happens not just in executive programmes and business schools but in the everyday choices and challenges women navigate. The mother mediating sibling disputes is honing the same conflict resolution skills needed in team management. The woman balancing a household budget is developing financial acumen that translates to corporate resource allocation.

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Image Courtesy: Freepik