My Leadership Story

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Good day everyone,

It is my pleasure to have this opportunity to share my personal story of leadership with you
all today. My name is Bhavini Matai, and I am from India, a country well known for its rich
culture and heritage.

I completed my Bachelor of Engineering in Computer and MPS in Informatics and am now

pursuing a dual degree (a combination of Leadership and IT) at Trinity Western University.

Before coming to Canada, I worked as a data analyst for the pharmaceutical industry in the
United States. We were a team consisting of 10 members. During my time there, something
caught my attention and sparked my interest in management. I will elaborate on that story
later in my presentation.
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Before I begin my story, I would like to share with you a powerful metaphor about leadership
and farming. As someone who comes from India, a country known for its abundant crops, I
am deeply familiar with the hard work and dedication that goes into cultivating and
harvesting a successful crop.

Leadership is like farming. A farmer carefully selects and sows seeds, provides them with
necessary nutrients, water, and care, and harvests the crops at the right time. Similarly, a
leader plants the seeds of vision, nurtures their team with support, guidance, and resources,
and celebrates their accomplishments when they succeed.
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My journey in the pharmaceutical company began with my natural love for working with
numbers. Pharmaceutical companies generate huge amounts of data throughout the drug
development process and hence, effective data management is crucial. I thrived on analyzing
complex data sets, finding patterns, and deriving meaningful insights. I was responsible for
managing audit and deviation data for the research department, which allowed me to leverage
my numerical aptitude to ensure compliance and maintain quality standards.

Being someone who loves systems and procedures, I recognized the need for efficiency in
data management processes. To achieve this, I implemented a new data management system
that reduced manual tasks by 50% and improved data accuracy by 20%. This streamlined the
operations.

One of the most challenging moments in my career was when my manager was on annual
leave, and I was given the responsibility to manage the team. We faced a surprise audit, and
the auditors asked for data that was far dated, and no one on the team knew where to find it.
Despite initial uncertainty, I quickly organized a plan of action, delegating tasks to team
members, and collaborated with cross-functional departments to locate the necessary
information. Through perseverance and adaptability, we successfully met the audit
requirements and impressed the auditors with our efficiency.

My ability to remain calm under pressure and effectively lead my team through challenges
was instrumental in our success during the audit. By fostering open communication,
providing guidance, and leveraging the strengths of each team member, we were able to
overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. This experience reinforced my belief in the power
of collaborative leadership and inspired me to continue developing my skills in this area. To
explore this horizon further, I decided to study at Trinity Western University, where I hope to
gain more knowledge and skills to become a successful collaborative leader.
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After my successful project completion, I reflected on my leadership qualities. I realized that

my analytical skills, optimistic outlook, thoughtfulness, insightful nature, and reflective
approach contributed to the project's success. I wasn't carried away by group pressure and
chose the best route for the team's success. I am a structured and organized thinker who
brings a sense of order to the work, ensuring efficient task execution and meeting deadlines. I
fostered a culture of teamwork, where everyone worked together towards common goals and
celebrated victories as a team. I reflect on my performance and that of my team, looking for
ways to optimize our energies and improve constantly.
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In conclusion, I can say that the statement made by Brown (2019) is very relevant and
essential in today's dynamic business environment. Theoretical knowledge is crucial, but
practical application is what makes a leader successful. A diverse team requires an adaptable
leader. Developing leadership skills and learning from past experiences is essential to
becoming a better leader.

I want to encourage everyone to adopt the same attitude and work hard as a farmer to achieve
their goals. Remember, "If I can do it, so can you."

Thank you all for listening.

Slide 7

BrownBrené. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. Random
House. ISBN 978‐0‐399‐59252‐2 (Hardcover). 298 Pages. Family & Consumer
Sciences Research Journal, 51(1), 68–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/fcsr.12448

Deiss, K. J. (1999). LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING: Personal best: The continuous

process of learning to be a self-leader. College & Research Libraries News, 60(3),
193–196. https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.60.3.193

Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and Practice - International Student Edition (9th
ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.
(US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781071856567