Tuesday May 05, 2026

03 Isolating Signal from Noise with Shreya Kaushik

Meet Shreya Kaushik - a software engineer at heart, a working parent to a five‑year‑old, and a leader in middle management, navigating the challenge of isolating signal from noise, whether in corporate dynamics or the fast‑moving world of AI. In this episode, she shares grounded, insightful reflections in her trademark matter‑of‑fact style.

1. The “messy middle” is defined by invisible labor and competing pressures Shreya highlights what senior leaders often miss: mid‑level managers shoulder heavy operational work, emotional labor, and the constant task of translating expectations across the org. They juggle their own need for clarity and purpose alongside that of their teams, all while context‑switching and striving to lead with empathy.

2. Identity work and mentorship reshape how leaders show up

Her experience in the Building My Runway program helped her release the pressure to influence and instead lead with self‑awareness, empathy, and grounded confidence. She now sees leadership less as “proving yourself” and more as “showing up with intention,” especially as a working parent who understands the emotional realities others carry.

3. Adaptability is the new leadership currency — especially in an AI‑driven world

Moving across different cities in India, experiencing different languages and cultures, while growing up, built a resilience that now helps Shreya navigate rapid shifts in an AI-first workplace. That adaptability, she notes, is becoming essential for leaders at every level.