We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yukta Yukta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yukta, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome didn’t arrive in my life uninvited; it built itself piece by piece, brick by brick. I wasn’t always this way. As a child, I was confident, perhaps even fearless. My parents raised me to think deeply, evaluate situations, and own my decisions. I was the kind of kid who knew where she was going. But life unfolded in unexpected ways, and somewhere along the line, I started doubting myself.
Even as I achieved remarkable things, my inner voice undermined me. When I became the Vice President of the Student Council of my college, I thought it was pure luck, or those who deserved it more didn’t want this position because they didn’t think it was worth it.
When I got into one of India’s top five universities for my Master’s, sounds funny today, but I questioned the credibility of the university. Even in my professional life, the pattern continued. I got several awards and recognitions, from leaders and participants of my learning programs, and I considered it to be a gesture of their kindness and not an outcome of my work.
The turning point came during my coaching work with women in leadership. I saw a pattern – accomplished, capable women doubted themselves. They would brush off their achievements as “luck” or acts of kindness by their organizations and this hampered their growth.
I was working with one such client and after a span of few months, she had her aha moment. She saw her contributions and capabilities. She regained her self-confidence. That moment, as her face lit up with realization, I felt something shift in me.
That day I embarked on a journey of self-coaching. Honestly, only going inwards might not have worked for me. I had to look outside and differentiate between facts and feelings. Here’s what I did:
1. Whenever someone appreciated my work, I asked them follow up questions and went deeper to gather evidence of my contributions and work until I, myself, saw the value I added.
2. I made a list of people who seemed very confident and successful among my contemporaries. These were the people who I thought most rightfully deserved all the success they have. I started looking at their results and realized that I was performing at par or even better than many of them.
3. I started maintaining a log of my work. I noted what I did, why I made certain decisions, whether it resulted in overall growth or not. Turned out, most of the work I did, had positive impact.
4. Finally, I started pausing, reflecting, and appreciating myself for my successes. When someone else appreciated me, I didn’t undermine the appreciation in the name of humility, but gracefully accepted it.
This journey involved a lot of work, but was absolutely worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the co-founder and President of Avyukt Coaching, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive with clarity of mind, leadership skills, and personal development. At Avyukt Coaching, we focus on supporting women in leadership to lead with clarity and self confidence, while also nurturing the future generation of leaders through our Future Leaders program. Beyond coaching, I have had the privilege of consistently inspiring leaders by sharing my journey and insights through numerous speaking engagements, a role I continue to fulfill with passion.
The name Avyukt holds profound meaning—it signifies a crystal-clear mind, free from confusion. This clarity is the cornerstone of leadership and personal development, and it forms the foundation of everything we do at Avyukt Coaching.
Growing up, I was deeply inspired by stories of strong women who defied societal expectations and supported not just themselves but everyone around them. My grandmother was one such woman. In a world where women were often taught to prioritize caregiving over their own aspirations, she pursued her education and achieved her dreams with unmatched determination and quality. Her journey taught me the importance of dreaming big and working hard, and she remains my greatest inspiration to this day.
These experiences, coupled with the unwavering support of my family, inspired me to extend this encouragement to a larger group of women. Through conversations with many of them, I discovered a common thread: the need for clarity of mind. For these women, clarity represented the ability to break barriers, make impactful decisions, and open doors to opportunities they never imagined possible. This realization became the driving force behind the creation of Avyukt Coaching.
While my work has a strong focus on empowering women, my contribution extends beyond that. I believe that creating a better world for everyone requires coaching and supporting people from all walks of life. Through speaking engagements and coaching interventions, I aim to inspire individuals to embrace growth and lead with authenticity.
As part of this mission, Avyukt Coaching offers free coaching opportunities to five women in leadership positions each year. Registrations for this program opens on January 7, 2025, and the coaching journey will officially kick off in March, in celebration of Women’s Day. This program reflects my commitment to empowering women to lead with confidence and clarity, furthering the cause of leadership excellence.
At Avyukt Coaching, we believe that clarity of mind is the key to nurturing possibilities, and we’re here to help individuals and organizations achieve it, one step at a time.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I believe that success in life requires different qualities, skills, and knowledge at different stages. However, three elements have been most impactful in my journey: my ability to reflect deeply, my willingness to be honest and vulnerable with myself and others, and my background in studying psychology.
1. Ability to Reflect Deeply
Reflection has been the foundation of my growth. My friends often joke about me being a “great overthinker,” but pausing to think critically about situations has been a strength, especially in overcoming imposter syndrome. Reflection is at the heart of my personal growth philosophy and coaching style. My approach encourages clients to pause, explore, and critically examine their journeys, enabling them to gain deeper insights and make informed decisions. Through thoughtful reflection, I empower them to achieve clarity and confidently take the next steps in their journey.
For those starting out, I recommend setting aside time for daily reflection—whether through journaling, mindfulness practices, or simply pausing to evaluate your thoughts and actions. Consistent reflection could be a great tool identify patterns and make decisions that are right for you.
2. Honesty and Vulnerability
Being honest and vulnerable is challenging but transformative. These qualities have enabled me to understand myself deeply and form meaningful connections. I’ve been fortunate to have companions and confidants who serve as my sounding boards, providing support and honest feedback.
To cultivate these traits, begin by sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust. Start small, and over time, you’ll find that authenticity builds stronger and honest relationships—both with yourself and others.
3. Background in Psychology
My background in studying psychology has been instrumental in my journey. It equipped me with tools to understand and manage challenges like imposter syndrome and taught me how to harness the power of the mind to navigate obstacles effectively which I now use to support my clients in their journeys.
For those looking to address their struggles in a brain-based manner, I recommend seeking guidance from professional Coaches with formal training in psychology. These experts can provide valuable insights and help you uncover your own answers to life’s challenges.
By embracing reflection, practicing honesty and vulnerability, and seeking informed support, you can be yourself and navigate life’s complexities with clarity and confidence.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who is seeking clarity of mind with curiosity and commitment to growth. They are eager to challenge their limiting beliefs, embrace self-reflection, and take actionable steps toward achieving their goals. Whether they are women in leadership, aspiring leaders, or individuals seeking to make a positive impact in their personal or professional lives, my ideal client is someone who wants to drive their life, their way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://avyuktcoaching.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avyuktcoaching/?src=website
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/yukta-hans
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForClarityOfMind
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
