Leadership Journeys [213] - Srikant Chellappa - " Every CEO has a boss"

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast. I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name. In this episode, I sit down with Srikant Chellappa, CEO of Engagedly and author of *Into The Blue: Implementing the Ikigai Philosophy to Create a Meaningful Workplace*. Together, we explore the transformative power of the "blue zone"—the sweet spot where passion, skills, and organizational needs align. Srikant shares actionable insights for tackling disengagement, reigniting team passion, and creating workplaces that empower individuals to thrive. From balancing corporate demands with personal purpose to leading with courage during times of failure, this conversation is packed with strategies to elevate your leadership. Tune in to discover how to design meaningful work environments that inspire growth, fulfillment, and lasting impact. You can find Srikant Chellappa at the below links https://www.linkedin.com/in/srikantchellappa/ https://engagedly.com/ In the interview, Srikant Chellappa shares "The blue zone is where passion, skills, and organizational needs converge—a space of true alignment and fulfillment in the workplace." "Misalignments in the workplace often lead to disengagement and burnout. Leaders must act boldly to realign roles and reignite passion." "Recognize when employees have outgrown their roles. Position them in work that sparks joy and unlocks their potential." "Courageous leadership means making tough talent mobility decisions—even if it means letting go of great talent to help them grow." "A healthy workplace thrives on open conversations, trust-building practices, and a culture of continuous learning." "Reigniting team passion requires regular check-ins, honest feedback loops, and opportunities for skill development." "Fulfillment is measurable: well-designed surveys can uncover trends linking employee happiness to business outcomes." "Failure is a part of leadership. Respond with empathy, transparency, and a focus on root cause analysis to build trust and resilience." "A healthcare success story proves that investing in employee development and coaching leads to empowerment and continuous improvement." "Choose leadership daily. Lead with joy, meaning, and pride—not just for yourself, but to inspire those around you."