What makes a great leader? Is it excellent communication skills? Is it confidence and expertise? Or is it the ability to motivate and convince others?

Tanya Uppal, Director, Arcadis has a combination of all these qualities, separating her from the crowd and encouraging others to look to her for direction. She has proved that a leader is not defined by age. Tanya started her career with EY and before Arcadis she was with KPMG as a senior. From the very beginning, she has been associated with leading MNCs and has wide experience in working with senior leaders & clients. It is astounding how, even in her current organization, she has surpassed every hurdle and secured a  leadership position in a short period. A diligent leader, on every level, has been able to share her leadership skills and showcase her vision for guiding the company to new growth opportunities. Tanya has a strong willingness to both accept & introduce change and draw inspiration from her previous experience to focus on her team’s & clients’ needs and move the company towards the goal. Let’s lend our ears to Tanya as she talks about her journey

What are some of the important features of your expertise as a leader in the consultancy industry?

I have around a decade of management consulting experience across multiple asset classes and solutions. My core expertise includes digital strategy & smart city solutions, sustainability advisory, strategy development, account management, and overseeing the delivery of strategic transformation projects. I do not believe that Hierarchy within an organization should  discourage me and people at any level to express their ideas and persuade others to adopt the same. We work as a team and I make sure clients understand that when they hire me, they also hire 27,000 people who work for Arcadis.

Tell us about the challenges that you encounter in your current role. How do you successfully mitigate them?

I believe each day is different and it comes with a new challenge. In a way, I feel it is exciting to be able to experience differen challenging situations every day. I try to address every issue by understanding what the client needs, putting the right team together, and then coming out with an appropriate solution that matches the competition. It is also a big challenge to meet the requirements of the volatile & competitive market thus the biggest advantage one can have over the others is adaptability and agility. However, I focus on having a good balance between the right team & their skill and leveraging the global expertise of the  organization. I am extremely passionate about improving the quality of life for the clients I serve to truly be able to make a difference.

What are some of the most significant milestones that you have achieved throughout your professional journey? What has been the driving force?

The most significant milestone of my journey is how I entered Arcadis as a consultant and made my way to being its director within five years. During the whole process, the support from my spouse and family has been a constant driving force that enabled me to cross multiple levels in a very short time. Coming from a family of an extremely hard-working father and a fiercely independent mother I think the ecosystem I grew up in has made me who I am today. It is quite challenging to lead a professional life managing two kids and a family all at once. However, I have been successful in achieving the best of both worlds. Also, I appreciate my organization and its team for building such a strong work ecosystem and helping me maintain  my work-life equilibrium.

“In every challenge, criticism & setback i see an opportunity to learn, grow & get stronger”

What trends do you see developing in the industry? How do you plan to keep yourself well aligned with the different evolutions?

In the consulting industry, the typical ‘strategy houses’ are expanding their verticals into a wider variety of industries and everybody is trying to put their feet into new service offerings. In short, this industry is going through huge convergence. As a result, it is critical to understand the fluctuation in global trends and be abreast of its evolution. I believe, the recipe for success in my field of work consists of three main ingredients: pipeline, project, and people. And to add all of these, one needs to be ahead of the changing trends of the market while being aware of what the people of the organization think. To align myself with the future landscape, I participate in and attend various webinars, networking, and corporate events. Speaking to industry leaders and undertaking professional courses also help.

What would your advice be to young women who aspire to become business leaders in the future?

Hard work and sheer belief in myself have brought me where I am today. My advice to all young women would be to not be afraid of challenges. Believe in yourself and always have a short, medium, and longterm plan. Give your best in understanding your work, team, and clients. Be determined & persistent and success will automatically follow you. Last but not the least, not to believe that pursuing professional goals in anyways hinders personal goals so don’t think of it as either/or.

Tanya Uppal, Director, Arcadis

Tanya pursued a Graduation in Architecture which makes her passionate about designing & building. She also has a Master’s in Advanced Construction Management and has taken up senior positions in MNCs. She believes in empathy and embraces the capabilities of her team, enhances networking in the industry, and initiates continuous learning to achieve organizational success.