In the latest episode of The Performance Playbook, Anita Ramachandra: Founder, Cerebrus Consultants, Advisor Mercer Consulting)
reflects on the experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial journey and her mission to build more inclusive workplaces.
From navigating career crossroads to turning periods of uncertainty into opportunities for innovation, she shares why resilience, conviction and a willingness to challenge convention are essential to creating lasting impact.
Rewrite your playbook. Watch the full episode now.
• 00:04:00 – From employee to entrepreneur
• 00:06:00 – Entering consulting as a young woman in uncharted territory
• 00:08:00 – Building professional presence early in one’s career
• 00:15:00 – First five years as the defining career phase
• 00:16:00 – Learning widely and avoiding early career silos
• 00:17:00 – Balancing motherhood, flexibility, and professional commitment
• 00:20:00 – Finding opportunity during career uncertainty
• 00:25:00 – Resilience when recognition does not come internally
• 00:27:00 – Navigating crisis, setbacks, and changing playbooks
• 00:29:00 – Anita’s early connection with Aditya Birla Group
• 00:35:00 – Excellence, value creation, and courage
• 00:39:00 – Mid-career leadership dilemmas and succession readiness
• 00:41:00 – Courage, decision-making, and risk-taking
• 00:42:00 – Persona, communication, and leadership confidence from day one
• 00:43:00 – People skills, influence, and leading without authority
• 00:46:00 – Building an organization beyond personal expertise
• 00:47:00 – Giving people space to shine and grow
• 00:50:00 – Values, integrity, and the meaning of success
• 00:57:00 – Independent directorship and boardroom learning
• 01:00:00 – Adding value as a board member
• 01:03:00 – Governance, courage, and saying no with grace
• 01:04:00 – Building Cerebras and defining impact through women’s leadership
• 01:09:00 – Trade-offs, ambition, and sustaining long-term aspirations
• 01:13:00 – Short-term performance versus long-term organizational impact
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