Ramya Reguramalingam | Tech Leader | Intentional Leadership 101
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"I want to determine the destiny of my team... my leadership is there to help me"
A bold and empathetic leader, Ramya, shares her secrets to thriving in high-stress environments while staying true to her authentic self. A seasoned technology leader with a robust background of building impactful products from ground up, she has forged an impressive career at Amazon. Serving as the Director of Technology for Amazon's Digital Acceleration organization, Ramya is guided by a singular vision: to leave a lasting legacy marked by the meaningful and positive impact she has on people's careers.
Excerpts from a coffee chat with her:
ON FINDING YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE
Early in her career, Ramya found herself in a team of extroverts, questioning if her quieter, introverted style could succeed. "Fortunately, I had a very strong mentor who encouraged me not to change who I was or my style," she shares. Six months later, she delivered a massive program successfully. "My learning was actually figuring out what strengths my style brought to the table and leaning in on those to succeed."
"You're a teacher as a leader... your role is to figure out how to scale and have every person represent the same behaviors that you want"
LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
For Ramya, leadership is about clear vision and scaling impact. She emphasizes two key aspects: being a teacher and maintaining clear thinking. "Whether it's about a long-term vision or how to approach a certain program... you figure out how to pass on that message and the vision to your entire organization so you can succeed at scale."
"When you behave like the owner of a small organization, it really changes the impact you can create"
ON TAKING OWNERSHIP
A pivotal moment in Ramya's career came when she shifted her mindset about leadership. Instead of looking to leadership for direction, she realized, "I want to determine the destiny of my team." This ownership mentality transformed how she approached decisions, from resource allocation to program funding.
MANAGING PRESSURE
"I actually enjoy a little bit of high pressure and stress," Ramya admits with a smile. Her approach to stress management is tactical and practical:
- Compartmentalization: "When I wrap up work, if I go work out or if I go play, it really helps me separate work from family"
- Decisive Action: "I make that decision once and I don't revisit it until I have seen some outcomes"
"Being super intentional about networking... I have scheduled time every week on my calendar that forces me to go meet with somebody"
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
Networking has been instrumental in Ramya's career growth. Her best tip? "Being super intentional about it." She maintains a weekly schedule dedicated to meeting people outside her immediate work circle, forcing her to think strategically about building relationships.
ON SELF-DOUBT AND LEGACY
When facing self-doubt, Ramya takes a practical approach: "I step back and look at some of your peers who are trying to do the same thing. That resets an expectation of perfection and allows you to feel more confident tackling the challenge."
As for her legacy, Ramya's passion for mentoring shines through. "The legacy that I hope to leave is a bunch of people that really feel like I've had an impact on their career, that they've seen growth because of me or the inputs I've given them at pivotal points in their career."
RAMYA in 60 SECONDS
Q. Mondays or Fridays?
A. Fridays
Q. Long emails or Quick calls?
A. Quick calls
Q. Inbox zero vs Chaos?
A. ZEEERO!
Q. Structured Routine or Flexible Schedule?
A. Structured routing
Q. Late Nights or Early Mornings?
A. Late Nights
Q. Handwritten Notes or Digital?
A. Digital
Q. In-person Meetings or Zoom Calls?
A. In-person Meetings
Q. Email or Instant Messaging?
A. IM! Slack FTW!
Q. Work Hard or Smart?
A. Work Smart
SHOP THE LOOK
Ramya is wearing our Limited-Edition Eternal Tweed Jacket paired with a black Rib Tank Sweater and jeans rented from Armoire!