Coaching for Leaders: Episode Summary
Episode Title: Strengthening Peer Relationships, with Raj Bawa
Host: Dave Stachowiak
Guest: Raj Bawa, VP of Data at The Knot
Release Date: February 28, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of Coaching for Leaders, host Dave Stachowiak welcomes Raj Bawa, Vice President of Data at The Knot and an alumnus of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. The conversation delves into Raj's professional journey, the challenges he faced at a critical career juncture, and how the Academy facilitated his growth into a more effective leader. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key topics, strategies, and transformative insights.

Raj's Background and Role

Raj Bawa opens up about his extensive experience in data science and machine learning, spanning nearly a decade across various industries including healthcare, e-commerce, retail, and currently, wedding planning.

Raj Bawa [00:57]: "I currently lead the data teams for one of the business areas in my company. My background is in data science and machine learning, and I've been doing this for close to 10 years."

At The Knot, Raj spearheads data, ML, and AI initiatives that align with the company's top priorities, such as enhancing existing products and supporting new product launches.

Career Inflection Point and Challenges

Raj recounts a pivotal moment in his career when transitioning into an executive role illuminated gaps in his leadership skills, particularly in the realm of soft skills essential for managing and influencing stakeholders.

Raj Bawa [02:21]: "I found myself struggling with some of the softer skills. I was working with a brand new set of stakeholders and peers and was having a hard time influencing those stakeholders on some of the initiatives."

This realization prompted Raj to seek structured leadership development to bridge these gaps and enhance his effectiveness as a leader.

Discovering Coaching for Leaders Academy

Upon recognizing his need for growth in soft skills, Raj discovered the Coaching for Leaders Academy through Dave's podcast. The timing was ideal as he was stepping into a new role at The Knot, providing a fresh opportunity to implement the skills he aimed to develop.

Raj Bawa [02:39]: "I was of course listening to your podcast and I heard about Academy applications being open and that was a signal for me to join the Academy and work on those skills."

Focus Areas in Leadership Development

During his initial assessments in the Academy, Raj identified three primary focus areas:

1. Building Relationships with Cross-Functional Stakeholders
2. Improving Influence with Peers and Decision Makers
3. Enhancing Communication Skills

Raj Bawa [05:17]: "The main ones were building relationships with my cross-functional stakeholders, getting better at influencing my peers and decision-makers, and improving my communication skills."

Strategies for Building Relationships

Raj emphasizes the importance of intentional relationship-building, especially in a new executive role. He adopted specific strategies to foster stronger connections:

• Breaking the Silence in Meetings: Consciously initiating conversations by asking about colleagues’ days or complimenting their work.

  Raj Bawa [06:16]: "I would consciously look at my schedule and find at least one meeting where I would initiate or start the conversation."

• Shifting from Convincing to Inspiring: Changing his mindset to inspire stakeholders rather than feeling pressured to convince them.

  Raj Bawa [07:20]: "Inspiring has a much more positive connotation and less pressure compared to convincing."

These small, consistent actions were pivotal in transforming his interactions and building trust within his network.

Mindset Shifts and Their Impact

A significant turning point for Raj was altering his internal narrative from needing to convince stakeholders to inspiring them. This shift alleviated the stress associated with persuasion and fostered a more collaborative environment.

Raj Bawa [07:20]: "Instead of thinking I have to convince someone, I think of it as inspiring them."

This mindset change allowed Raj to clearly articulate his vision and engage stakeholders more effectively, facilitating smoother collaboration and alignment on initiatives.

Results and Outcomes

Over approximately ten months, Raj observed tangible positive outcomes from his focused efforts:

1. Enhanced Networking and Trust: Building a more transparent and supportive network where colleagues feel comfortable sharing successes and challenges.

   Raj Bawa [11:44]: "I've been able to build my network at the workplace and feel more comfortable sharing and discussing things."

2. Increased Collaboration: A rise in collaborative projects and initiatives, with peers seeking his expertise and support.

   Raj Bawa [12:30]: "People are coming and asking for more help with projects and different initiatives."

These developments not only strengthened peer relationships but also positioned Raj as a trusted leader within the organization.

Reflections and Learnings

Raj reflects on his journey, highlighting the critical role of soft skills in leadership and the effectiveness of the Academy's approach emphasizing small, consistent actions.

Raj Bawa [15:23]: "I've become a big believer in manifesting the vision. Consistency in small actions is key to shifting mindset and making progress."

He underscores that developing people skills is as crucial as technical expertise, if not more so, especially at executive levels where leadership dynamics play a significant role in organizational success.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Dave commends Raj for his dedication and the transformative progress he has made through the Academy. Echoing insights from thought leaders like Marshall Goldsmith, Dave reiterates that advanced leadership challenges are often behavioral rather than technical.

Dave Stachowiak [16:11]: "The higher up you go, the more your problems are behavioral."

He invites listeners who are facing similar inflection points in their careers to consider applying to the Coaching for Leaders Academy, highlighting the upcoming application window.

Dave Stachowiak [16:36]: "If you're also at an inflection point, the Coaching for Leaders Academy may be helpful for you. Applications open on Friday, March 7th."

Raj's story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of intentional leadership development and the profound impact of cultivating strong peer relationships.

Key Takeaways

• Identify and Address Leadership Gaps: Recognizing areas for improvement is the first step towards becoming a more effective leader.
• Intentional Relationship-Building: Proactively fostering connections can enhance trust and collaboration within teams.
• Mindset Shifts: Changing how you perceive interactions (e.g., inspiring vs. convincing) can reduce pressure and improve outcomes.
• Consistency in Small Actions: Regular, intentional efforts lead to meaningful and lasting behavioral changes.
• The Value of Soft Skills: Equally important as technical expertise, especially in executive roles.

For those seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and build stronger peer relationships, Coaching for Leaders offers invaluable resources and structured programs to support your journey. Visit CoachingforLeaders.com to learn more about the Academy and apply when applications reopen on March 7th.

Remember, as Raj and Dave exemplify, leaders aren’t born—they’re made through dedication, intentional growth, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships.