Swati Bhargava co-founded the company CashKaro with her husband, and since then she is managing the people and business at her best. She has consolidated her company in the last few years in the highly competitive cashback market. In a conversation with People Matters, she shared her thoughts on leadership, solving problems of people and what she wants to change. 

Who is the one leader you look up to?

It would have to be my husband & Co-Founder, Rohan Bhargava. I have seen the sacrifices he makes for the business and how hard he works. To me, he is a prime example of a leader who leads from the front and doesn’t shy away from getting his hands dirty. 

What is the one leadership lesson you learned on the go as a People Leader?

Our problems are rarely as big as we make them out to be. Simply listening to people involved in a project has a bigger impact than most expect.  

How digitally ready are you as a leader on a scale of one to ten?

I’d say I'm quite technology savvy and up to date with most of new age Apps & technology. I’m quite fortunate when it comes to learning opportunities on this front. I feel I’m 8/10 in terms of digital readiness. 

Which was the last book you read on leadership?

I tend to read multiple books simultaneously but one on my office desk right now is The Reluctant Billionaire.

One thing that makes you passionate about your work

 I'm passionate about everything to do with my work. I respect hard work and am passionate about making my efforts work for my own business.

 What matters to you most, effort or outcome?

In my opinion, the outcome eventually does come into play when you want to truly evaluate success. Great effort has to be rewarded but that does not discount the importance of driving outcomes from that effort.

 Three key learnings that you have picked up from your team

I’d say persistence, tenacity and empathy. The way the teams at CashKaro work relentlessly towards their goals and move forward with each other has been truly inspirational for me to see.

 What’s the one most important factor you consider when hiring someone?

I pick the right attitude over the other factors because attitude cannot be taught whereas most other things can be. 

 What sort of leader would your team say that you are?

I believe they would say I’m a supportive & straight-talking leader who does not shy away from putting her foot down when it’s required.