Dharmita Babu: The Power of Connection and Mindful Leadership in Change Management
Actuate caught up with Dharmita Babu ahead of the upcoming ACMP Change South Africa Conference 2024 to hear her thoughts on change facilitation, leadership, and the evolving future of change management.
Dharmita emphasises that connecting change to personal meaning is key. Reflecting on her early career in the mining industry, she shares how she learned that change is not just about enforcing procedures but about shifting mindsets. She recounts how a creative campaign she designed helped miners connect safety protocols to their personal lives, leading to a deeper commitment to change. “Leaders, managers, and employees need to understand the ‘why’ behind the change to take ownership and responsibility,” Dharmita says, demonstrating her firm belief that personal meaning drives organisational outcomes.
Mindful Leadership for Success
Dharmita credits her practice of mindful leadership, which includes daily reflection, self-awareness, intentional earning/unlearning and journaling, as fundamental to her success. She takes time to consider her actions and interactions with teams and clients. “This reflective practice has been the foundation of my growth,” she notes, emphasising how journaling allows her to document her insights and identify patterns that inform her approach to change management.
Dharmita emphasises the importance of building trust and credibility as a leader and explains that self-awareness is critical to connecting meaningfully with others.
Parenting as a Leadership Teacher
Dharmita shares that parenting has profoundly shaped her leadership style. “Engagement, empathy, and clear expectations are as important in leadership as parenting,” she explains. She emphasises that people are more likely to embrace change when they feel heard and understand its personal and organisational benefits. Dharmita has learned to create a psychologically safe environment where people can express themselves. She focuses on progress over perfection, fostering resilience and motivation within her teams.
Exciting Trends in Change Management: The Role of AI
Dharmita is particularly excited about AI’s role in the future of change management. She believes AI and human-centred practices must work together to drive meaningful transformation. “While AI will tell us what’s happening, empathy, trust, and purpose drive why people commit to change,” she shares. Dharmita advocates for distributed leadership, empowering everyone to become a change agent in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.
Advice for New Change Managers: Curiosity and Connection
When asked for advice for new change managers, Dharmita emphasises the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning. “It’s not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions,” she says. She also stresses the power of genuine relationships, stating, “Never underestimate the value of building trust and human connection—no technology can replace that.”