S3E145: What 35 Years in Google, Amazon & Microsoft Taught Me About Leadership | Meenu Handa
What does it really take to build influence at the highest levels of global organisations?
In this episode of The AboutHer Show, Meenu Handa, a former Google APAC Communications Leader and trusted C-suite adviser, shares powerful insights on leadership, crisis management, women in power, boardroom governance, and resilience shaped through sport.
This conversation reflects the pillars of Power & Leadership and Voice & Visibility, exploring what it truly takes to build credibility and sustain influence over decades.
A must-listen for leaders, professionals, and women aspiring to shape meaningful careers.
The AboutHer Show has been recognised by Feedspot as one of the Top 25 Leadership Podcasts in India.
Chapters:
(0:00) 🎧 Setting the Stage: A Life in Communications
An introduction to Meenu Handa’s remarkable journey across global leadership roles in communications.
(3:15) 🏛️ The Long View of Leadership
What three decades in strategic communications taught her about credibility and influence.
(5:43) 👂 Listening vs Hearing in Leadership
What separates leaders who truly listen from those who simply receive advice?
(7:48) ⚠️ Crisis Reveals Character
How crisis situations expose the true culture and values of organisations.
(11:41) ⚖️ The Gendered Expectations of Leadership
Navigating the added expectations placed on women leaders without losing authority.
(14:35) 🌍 Power Inside Global Corporations
Insights from leadership roles at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
(17:34) 🏗️ Building Trust From Zero
What it takes to build a communications function from scratch and earn credibility quickly.
(23:14) 📊 Measuring Reputation & Impact
Why measuring communications impact is still misunderstood.
(28:40) 🤝 Respect vs Likeability
Do women leaders really face a trade-off between being respected and being liked?
(33:11) 🎤 Voice, Visibility & Taking Space
Why women must step into visibility despite subtle resistance.
(37:45) 🏢 The Boardroom Perspective
How communications experience shapes governance, ethics and risk thinking.
(39:50) 🏀 Lessons from Sport & Resilience
How basketball and adventure sports shaped her mindset toward pressure and recovery.
(43:29) 🚀 Advice for the Next Generation
The mindset young women need for long, influential careers.
(44:45) ⚡ Rapid Fire Round
Quick insights into leadership, life lessons and personal reflections.
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