Mastering Leadership & Wellbeing: A Seasoned Leader's Guide

By: Aanchal Sethi, Managing Director, Ogilvy

Aanchal Sethi brings over 20 years of experience leading multi-market brand operations across APAC, MENA, and India. As Asia Managing Director for Unilever at Ogilvy Singapore, she drives global brand strategy, overseeing iconic brands while delivering award-winning, high-impact creative campaigns.

In an insightful with Charulatha M, Senior Correspondent at  Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Aanchal shares her views on effectively leading large teams while integrating personal wellbeing. She emphasizes intentional planning, setting boundaries, and fostering trust to drive both team performance and personal fulfillment. Her approach blends discipline, clarity, and flexibility to navigate high-pressure environments successfully.

To learn more about her strategies for leadership and balance, read the full article.

Leading large teams and portfolios often comes with immense responsibility. Can you share how you initially structured your professional and personal priorities to perform effectively?

From the beginning of my journey in advertising, I recognized that seeking a perfect separation between professional and personal life would be a futile effort in such a dynamic, "always-on" industry. Instead of building a wall between them, I chose to create a framework where they can co-exist harmoniously. My key practice, which I established early on, is dedicating the first hour of my morning to intentional planning, always with a big cup of coffee. Before the day’s demands begin, I write everything down, mapping out my key priorities.

This simple act is more than just time management; it’s a commitment. Putting pen to paper makes my goals tangible and clarifies where my focus must be. This daily ritual is a personal act of leadership, ensuring I am the architect of my day, not just reacting to it. This discipline gives me the clarity needed to navigate the complexities of my role, making certain that client needs, team support, and personal commitments all receive the deliberate attention they deserve.

Over time, responsibilities evolve. How have you adapted your technique to balancing strategic selection-making with personal wellbeing during high pressure periods?

As my responsibilities have grown, so has my approach to wellbeing, evolving from daily planning to a deeper, intentional investment in my mental and emotional health. I see this not as a luxury, but as a strategic imperative for effective leadership. During high-pressure periods, clarity is paramount. To achieve this, I’ve made my weekly therapy session non-negotiable. That dedicated hour is invaluable, providing a guided space to process professional challenges and navigate life’s complexities, which is crucial for sharp decision-making.

I also find that creative outlets—specifically my practice of watercolor art therapy—and simple long walks are essential for clearing my mind. This protected mental space is where true strategic insights often emerge. By consciously making time for this renewal, I ensure that I am leading from a place of focus and resilience, rather than from a state of fatigue.

Can you describe a particular instance where maintaining personal boundaries enhanced your leadership effectiveness or led to higher business consequences?

One of my most important learnings is that personal boundaries are not about saying a flat “no.” Instead, they are about saying “yes” to the conditions needed for high-quality work and finding a more effective solution.

A perfect example happened a few weeks ago. I had a long-standing family commitment that coincided with an urgent, though not critical, client request.

I briefed them thoroughly, expressed my full confidence, and made myself available for a quick call if needed. They handled the situation flawlessly, resolving the client's need while growing in capability. This single act of trust enhanced my leadership, demonstrated my belief in my team, and showed our client the true depth of talent we possess.

How do you integrate your very own work-life balance philosophy into guiding others at the same time as meeting organizational goals?

My philosophy centers on integration and flexibility, not a rigid balance, and I extend this trust-based approach to my teams. My primary role as a leader is to provide clarity on our vision, our goals, and what success looks like for our clients and our organization. Once the 'what' and the 'why' are crystal clear, I empower my team with the autonomy to determine the 'how' and 'when'. I trust them to manage their own schedules and integrate their work and personal lives in a way that works for them. This fosters a culture of ownership and accountability, rather than one of mere presence. I believe when we focus on impact and outcomes over hours logged, we create an environment where people can deliver exceptional work without sacrificing their wellbeing.

With constant digital connectivity and expectations, what disciplined practices have you implemented to ensure sustained focus, productivity, and personal renewal?

In an era of constant digital connectivity, where it’s easy to spend hours doomscrolling, I find that discipline is the most effective antidote to distraction.

To bookend this, I consciously put my phone on "sleep" mode in the late evenings, avoiding the urge to check emails and allowing for a true mental reset.

I also schedule time for "disconnection" just as I would a meeting in my calendar, whether it’s a long morning walk without my phone or time spent on creative pursuits over the weekend. Finally, my weekly therapy session remains a critical discipline for ensuring mental clarity. It's a structured space to untangle complex thoughts, which directly enhances my focus. These practices aren't about escaping work; they are about creating the mental and emotional conditions required to perform at my best.

LAST WORD: Advice for Women Leaders to Achieve Career Impact & Sustainable Personal Fulfillment

My advice is to first redefine what "balance" means to you. Release the pressure to build a perfect wall between your work and your life; instead, strive for a sustainable and personalized integration. Be the architect of your day by proactively structuring your time around your most important priorities, both professional and personal. Secondly, treat your mental clarity as your most valuable strategic asset. Invest unapologetically in practices that give you space to think and renew, whether it's therapy, a hobby, or simply quiet time. This isn't an indulgence—it is essential for impactful leadership. Finally, lead with trust and empower your teams with flexibility. By focusing on clarity of purpose and giving your people autonomy, you not only foster a healthier, more effective culture but also create the space for you to focus on what matters most.