Inspirational Icon To Look For In 2025 May2025

Editorial

The Science of Empathy

Inanerawherementalhealthisgraduallyemergingfromtheshadows,ittakesmorethan

clinicalexpertisetoleadmeaningfulchange—ittakesvision,compassion,andcourage.In ourspecialedition, “Inspirational Icon to Look for in 2025,” wearehonoredtospotlightDr. SwayamPravaBaral,apsychiatrist,academician,author,andwellnessentrepreneurwhose journeyembodiesthepowerfulintersectionofscienceandhumanity.

Rootedinavalue-drivenupbringinginOdisha,Dr.Swayam’scareerisguidedbyadeepsenseof purpose.Herprofessionalpathisnotonlydefinedbymedicalexcellencebutbyherunwavering commitmenttotransforminghowsocietyviewsandengageswithmentalhealth.Throughher flagshipinitiative,theSwayamMindClinicandWellnessCentre,shehasreimagined psychiatriccare—notasasterileprocessofdiagnosisandtreatment,butasaholistic,humancenteredapproachtohealing.

Hercontributionsextendbeyondtheclinic.AsaTEDxspeaker,WHOFidesInfluencer,and authorof 30 Days to a Healthy Mind,shehasbecomeaprominentvoiceinthemovementtoward greaterawarenessandemotionalliteracy.HerrecognitionasTIGPMrs.India1stRunner-Upalso highlightshermultifacetedidentity—areminderthatprofessionalachievementandpersonal expressioncan,andshould,coexist.

WhatsetsDr.Swayamapartisherrareabilitytoblendacademicrigorwithsoulfulempathy.Her storyisnotmerelyaboutindividualaccolades,butaboutignitingchangein others—professionals,patients,andthepublicalike.

WeproudlyfeatureDr.SwayamPravaBaralasachangemakerwhoseworkcontinuestoelevate thediscourseonmentalwell-beinginIndiaandbeyond.

-Alaya Brown

FEATURING

Dr. Swayam Prava Baral Empowering Inner Transformations Through Science, Soul and Social Impact

ARTICLES

Lead by Example:

The Principles That Dene Great Leaders

Leadership That Lasts:

Building a Legacy, Not Just a Business

Art

Business

Business

Digital

Co-designer

Marketing

PRAVA BARAL SWAYAMDr.

Empowering Inner Transformations

Through Science, Soul and Social Impact

Founding Swayam Mind

Clinic was not about erecng walls; it was about opening doors to new ideas, new therapies, and new paradigms of care. My entrepreneurial spirit is guided by intuion, refined through data, and grounded in compassion.

Intheconstantlychangingworldofmedicine,

psychiatryisdifferent—notjustasascience,butasa professionthatdemandsprofoundempathy,grit,and unstintingdedication.Dr.SwayamPravaBaralembodies thatethos.Apsychiatrist,academician,writer,and wellnessentrepreneur,herpathisaninspiring combinationofheadandheart.Herpurposegoesbeyond diagnosisandcure;itincludestheawakeningofminds, lives,andthelargermentalhealthlandscapeofIndiaand theworld.

Bornfromavalues-ladenchildhoodinOdisha,thelifeof Dr.Swayamhasbeeninfluencedbyempathy,inquiry,and anunbreakabledeterminationtoserve.Withintense trainingatthebestinstitutionsandpropelledbyaheartbasedmission,shenotonlybecameanauthorityinherown rightbutapioneerinthemovementtowardsmentalwellbeing.Herbrainchild,theSwayamMindClinicand WellnessCentre,speaksvolumesabouthowsheenvisioned incorporatingclinicalexcellenceintosoulfulhealing.With thisprojectandabove,shehasempoweredthousandsof peopletoapproachmentalhealthasarightandnota privilege.

Herpathisnotoneofsolitaryachievementsbutof deliberatedecisions.Frombeingawardedtitlessuchas TIGPMrs.India1stRunner-UptobeingaWHOFides Influencerandauthoringherfirstbook30DaystoaHealthy Mind,Dr.Swayamrelentlesslybridgesthedividebetween scientificrigorandpublicawareness.Thefollowing account,toldinherownwords,providesadeepinsightinto herpurpose,philosophy,andimpactfulcontributionto society

GroundedinCompassionandPurpose

Dr.SwayamwasbornandraisedinOdisha,nurturedbya familywherevalues,education,andemotionalintelligence werethecornerstones.Herfascinationwiththehuman mindbeganearly.Shewasdrawnnotjusttopsychiatryasa science,buttotheoften-unspokenemotionalpainthathides behindeverydaysmiles.Thiscuriosityevolvedintoa deepercallingduringmedicalcollege,whereshewitnessed firsthandhowmentalhealthremainedstigmatized, misunderstood,andunder-addressedinthesociety.

Drivenbyempathyandguidedbyasenseofsocial responsibility,Dr.SwayampursuedherMBBSfollowedby aDPMattheprestigiousCentralInstituteofPsychiatryand anMDinPsychiatry “Each step on this academic path was less about personal accolades and more about equipping myself to serve better

My medical journey wasn’t devoid of challenges. I faced societal stereotypes, professional exhaustion, and the emotional toll of dealing with others’traumas daily. Yet, through every challenge, I chose to rise stronger and more centered—transforming pain into purpose.” shesays.

Herprofessionalfoundationisbuiltonresilience,reflection, andanunwaveringdedicationtohealingfromwithin.Over time,sherealizedthatconventionalclinicalsetupsweren’t enoughtoaddresstheemotionalcomplexitiesofpatients. Therewasaneedforaspacethatwentbeyondmedication,a sanctuarywherescientificpsychiatrymetholisticwellness. Thus,SwayamMindClinicandWellnessCentre, Bhubaneswarwasnotabusinessventure,butwithavision thatwasdeeprootedinhumanisticpsychiatry.

AHealingSanctuaryfortheSoul

AtthecoreofDr.Swayam’sprofessionalendeavoristhe beliefthatmentalhealthshouldbedemocratized, accessible,stigma-free,andempowering.TheSwayam MindClinicandWellnessCentrereflectsthisethos.Itisnot merelyaclinic;itisaholistichabitatwhereconversations aroundanxiety,trauma,depression,andemotionalwellbeingaremetwithempathyandevidence-basedcare.Here, healingispersonalized,patient-centered,andprofound.

Through entrepreneurship, I envision building not just instuons, but ecosystems where communies learn, heal, and grow together. Every campaign, every workshop, every publicaon is a step towards normalizing mental health conversaons. I doesn’t create services; I shape cultural shis.

TheCentreintegratesdiversedisciplinespharmacology, psychotherapy,mindfulnesspractices,andlifestyle medicineintoacohesivetreatmentmodel. “I do not treat symptoms in isolation; I address the individual. With every session and public initiative, I steer the dialogue away from ‘illness’and towards ‘wellness.’”. shesays.

Herworkshops,clinicalsessions,andcommunityoutreach effortsfocusonempoweringindividualstoreclaimagency overtheirmentalandemotionalhealth.

Thisintegrativeapproachhasmadeherpracticeabeaconof innovationandtrustinthementalhealthcarespace.It’sa spacewherepatientsaren’tjustheard,buttrulyunderstood. Withcompassionashercompassandscienceasher scaffold,Dr.Swayamcontinuestocreatesafespacesfor innerhealingandgrowth.

LivingtheIntegration,NottheDivide

“Balancing multiple roles; psychiatrist, associate professor, author, wellness coach, and public speaker is no small feat. For me, the secret lies not in compartmentalization but in conscious integration.

I follow a rhythm that nourishes my mind, body, and spirit. Each morning begins with silence, intention-setting, and self-alignment forming a spiritual armor before the day unfolds.” shesays.

Withinherprofessionallife,shemaintainsemotional boundaries,delegatesmindfully,andappliestheverytools sheteaches—emotionalregulation,cognitivereframing, andresilience-building.

Herclinicalinsightsareoftendeepenedbyherpersonal reflections,andviceversa.Thisfluidexchangebetween personalgrowthandprofessionalexcellenceiswhat sustainsher.

Familyremainshergroundingforce.Hermother’s influenceonshapinghervaluesisevidentinevery compassionatedecisionshemakes.

Despiteabusyschedule,shefiercelyguardsherfamily time,honoringthesacrednessofpersonalconnections. Whetherdancing,writing,orsimplywatchingthesunset, shemakesroomforsolitudeandjoy,refuelingthesoulthat healsotherseveryday.

That period was not just about survival it was about soulful innovaon. It demanded courage, creavity, and a renewed sense of urgency. And I rose to the occasion not just as a doctor, but as a leader and light-bearer for emoonal resilience.

EntrepreneurshipwithEmpathyandInnovation

ToDr.Baral,businessisnotatransactionaldomainbuta transformationalone.Herappetiteforentrepreneurshipis drivenbyimpact—notincome. “Founding Swayam Mind Clinic was not about erecting walls; it was about opening doorsto new ideas, new therapies, and new paradigms of care. My entrepreneurial spirit is guided by intuition, refined through data, and grounded in compassion.” she says.

Herventuresextendbeyondclinicalboundaries.From curatingwellnessprogramstoauthoringbooks,conducting corporatetrainings,andlaunchingdigitalresources—her workisadynamicfusionofcreativity,psychology,and strategicintent.Shestudiesgapsinthesystemandresponds withthoughtfulsolutionsthatarebothrootedinscienceand elevatedbysoul.

“Through entrepreneurship, I envision building not just institutions, but ecosystems where communities learn, heal, and grow together. Every campaign, every workshop, every publication is a step towards normalizing mental health conversations. I doesn’t create services; I shape cultural shifts.” shesays.

PassionThatIgnitesPurpose

ForDr.Swayam,passionisn’tafleetingpursuit;itisa sacredpromisetohumanity Thesightofsomeone reclaimingjoy,ofaclientsteppingintolightafteryearsof emotionalfogthatishertruereward.Hermissionisto breakthesilencethatsurroundsmentalhealthandreplace shamewithstrength,secrecywithsupport.

Sheisdeeplycommittedtomakingmentalhealth approachableandunderstandable.Herfirstbook 30 Days to a Healthy Mind, isdesignedtobeapracticalguide companionforanyoneseekinginnerclarityandcalm.She seesbooks,talks,andeducationaloutreachaspowerful extensionsoftherapy—toolsthatreachbeyondtheclinic intoeverydaylives.

EquallyinspiringisherinterestinblendingancientIndian wisdomwithmodernneuroscience.Herupcomingbook The Equanimous Mind exploresthisintersection,weaving togetherinsightsfromtheVedas,Buddhistphilosophyand cognitivesciences.Toher,healingismostprofoundwhenit isintegrative—whentraditionandtechnologywalk together

AfterwinningthetitlesofTheInternationalGlamour st ProjectMrsIndia1 RunnerUpandPeoplesChoiceAward 2024,SheisalsogoingtorepresentIndiaatMrsUniverse Official2025atPhilippinesthisSeptemberwiththetheme ofhumanrightsandmentalhealth.Thisestablishesherasa globalleaderinthefieldofmentalhealthandwomen empowerment.

ResilienceAmidstthePandemicStorm

TheCOVID-19pandemicmarkedapivotalmomentin globalmentalhealth.Whilemanyretreatedinfear, Dr.Swayamchosetoriseinservice.Sheswiftlyembraced telepsychiatry,ensuringherclientsremainedsupported duringlockdowns.Shetransformedadversityinto opportunity—launchingdigitalwellnessprograms,free supportgroups,andawarenesswebinarsthatreachedfar beyondgeographicalconstraints.

Herdigitalplatformsbecamesafespacesforcollective healing.Shecollaboratedwitheducationalinstitutions, NGOs,andcorporates,extendingcarewhereitwasneeded most.Ratherthanlettingfearparalyze,sheletempathy mobilize.Thepandemicreinforcedherbeliefthatmental healthcareshouldbefluid,accessible,andreadyforthe future.

“That period was not just about survival it was about soulful innovation. It demanded courage, creativity, and a renewed sense of urgency And I rose to the occasion not just as a doctor, but as a leader and light-bearer for emotional resilience.” shesays.

StrengthsThatSteerHerVision

Dr.Baral’sjourneyisanchoredinapowerfulconstellation ofinnerstrengths.Compassionishercore—evidentin everypatientshesees,everystoryshehonors.Curiosity fuelsherlearning,keepingherabreastofemergingscience andglobaltrends.Clarityhelpshercutthrough chaos—makingswift,soul-aligneddecisionsinhigh-stakes environments.

Sheisanaturalconnector—ofpeople,ideas,andsystems. Herleadershipisquietbutpotent,rootedinintegrityand insight.Sheisbothaseekerandastrategist—blending wisdomandactionwithelegantbalance.Herabilitytohold spaceforotherswhileconstantlyevolvingherselfiswhat makesheranextraordinaryforceinherfield.

Aboveall,herstrengthliesinhersincerity.There’sno façadeinherwork—justanhonest,relentlesspursuitof healingandwholenessforeverysoulsheencounters.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE:

The Principles That Define GREAT LEADERS

Withdisruptionthenewrealityandchangeneverceasing,the

verynatureofleadershipischanging.Nolongerabout hierarchyorauthority,leadershipintoday'stimesisabout influence,integrity,andimpact.Intimesofacceleratedchange,thereis oneprinciplethatisevertimelessandonethatallleadersneedtofollow: leadingbyexample.

Thebestleadersaren'ttheoneswhogivemereorders,butthosewho modelthevalues,behaviors,andresiliencytheyrequireofothers.They understandthatcredibilityisn'tsomethingonerequires,butrather somethingoneearns.Witheverystep,theyestablishthetone,culture, andtempoforthepeopletheylead—creatingarippleeffectfarbeyond theirimmediatefieldofinfluence.

IntegrityasaNon-NegotiableStandard

Integrityisthecornerstoneofexceptionalleadership.Itisthesteady practiceofhonesty,consistency,andaccountability—evenwhennoone iswatching.Leaderswholeadbyexampleneversacrificevaluesfor profits.Theyinsteaddisplaymoralchoices,theyareequitablewith individuals,andtheytakeresponsibilityfortheirerrors.

Itgeneratestrust,themostpreciousassetofanybusiness.Theleaders whoareseenlivinguptothehigheststandardsatalltimesinspiretrust thatmotivatesotherstoworkwiththesamesenseofresponsibility.Trust basedonintegrityisnoteasilylost,andoverthisastrong,cause-based cultureisbuilt.

ThePowerofConsistentAction

Trueleadershipisshownintheeverydayactions,notoccasional extraordinaryones.Aconsistencybetweenwhatonedoesandwhatone saysspeaksloudly—itspeakstoauthenticity

Frombeingpreparedtomeetings,showingappreciation,to actuallylisteningtogrievances,thesehabitsofrepetition instilltrustworthiness.

Leaderswhopracticewhattheypreachconsistentlyinspire alignmentacrossteams.Theyenableotherstodothesame becauseexpectationsareclearandembeddedinpractice, nottheory.Thisdependabilityisparticularlyvitalintimes ofuncertainty,whenteamswanttobecomfortedandstable.

CouragetoMakeHardChoices

Effectiveleadersareawarethatchangequitefrequently meansdifficult,sometimesunpopular,choices. Reorganizingateam,pullingtheplugonanon-performing project,orconfrontingpoorperformanceareafew examples.Theyrefusetoshyawayfrommakingdifficult decisions.Whatmakesthemdifferentishowtheymakethe difficultchoices—withhonesty,empathy,and accountability.

Bystandinguptoadversitywithdignityandclarity,leaders sendasignaltotheirfollowersthatcrisesneednotbe shunnedbuttackledhead-on.Theydemonstratethat leadershipmeansnotseekingcomfortbutaccountability Suchleadershipbyexampleisinfectious,enjoiningothers tomakebold,considereddecisionsintheirownwork.

EmpathyandEmotionalIntelligence

Leadershipisnotjustpushingnumbers—itisalsoabout gettingpeople.Emotionallyintelligentleadersaretheones whopracticewhattheypreach.Theyaresensitivetothe hopes,fears,andneedsoftheirpeople.Theytalkwith empathy,bridgebuildings,andapproachworkashuman.

Throughtreatingindividualswithrespectandempathy, compassionateleadersbuildanenvironmentofinclusion, psychologicalsafety,andcollaboration.Notonlydoesthis enhancemorale,butitenhancesperformance.Teamsare morelikelytoputthatlittlebitextraeffortiniftheyfeel heard,understood,andappreciatedbytheirleaders.

AccountabilityandHumility

Leadingbyexamplealsoinvolvestakingcreditforthe results,bothpositiveandnegative.Realleadersarealways firsttoadmitfaultwhenthingsdonotworkoutasexpected andlasttotakecreditwhentheydo.Humblingoneselfin suchamannerbuildsloyaltyandmakesothersowner-ready withoutthreateningthemwithfault.

Accountabilityisdevelopingthelearningculture,whereby failurebecomesachancetolearnandgrow,notanapology topunish.Byembracingtheopennesstosharetheirown lessonsandlimitations,leadersexemplifyongoing improvementandencourageotherstodothesame.

VisionGroundedinAction

Everygreatleaderneedsaclearandcompellingvision— butvisionisnotenough.Thegreatestleadersmakevision workineverydayactions.Theyputstrategyintoaction throughexecutionandmotivateothersbydemonstratingthe waysmallstepscanbepartofabiggerpicture.

Bydemonstratingcommitmenttotheultimatepurpose,they encourageotherstoseepastthetaskandtowardmore.They bringmeaningtothemundaneandclaritytotheambiguous, buildingasharedsenseofdirectionthatenergizesteamsto remainenergizedandoncourse.

TheRippleEffectofExemplaryLeadership

Theinfluenceofleadershipthroughexampledoesnotlimit itselftooneteamordepartment.Itresonatesthrough organizationsandevenindustries.Itestablishes organizationalculture,supportsbrandreputation,andacts asanexampleforupcominggenerationsofleadersto follow

Attimesofupheaval,thiskindofleadershipiscrucial. Whenpeopleareunsure,theyyearnforclarity Whenthey areunderstress,theyyearnforstability Whentheyarein themidstofchange,theyyearnfortrust.Aleaderwhoover andoverdisplaysthevirtueofcourage,empathy,and accountabilitythenbecomestheanchoratsuchtimes—not amanagerbutamodel.

Conclusion:LeadershipYouCanSee

Inacacophonousworld,trueleadershipiswitnessed.Itis evidencedinhowleadersguideindividuals,reactto challenges,andwalktheirtalkonadailybasis.Itdoesnot requirecharisma,flawlessness,oromnipotence—but commitment,courage,andconsistency

Toleadbyexampleisnotaleadershipstyle.It'saprinciple —onethatnotonlydirectswhatyoudo,butwhoyouare. Andinbecomingthat,itisthemostlastingkindof influencealeadercaneverexercise.

LEADERSHIP THAT LASTS: Buildinga

LEGACY, Not Just a BUSINESS

Inthisdayandageoffast-pacedquarterlynumbers,

marketturbulence,andradicaldigitalchange, leadershipisboileddowntonear-termperformance. PromotionismeasuredbyKPIs,powerbymediacoverage, andvictorybybottom-lineoutcomes.Althoughsuch metricsarenecessary,theyaretransitory.Leadershipisnot merelyaboutbuildingasuccessfulcompany—it'sabout buildingalegacythattoucheslives,culture,andsociety manyyearsaftertheleaderhasdeparted.

Legacyleadershipisnotatheory;it'sausefulandeffective wayofconductingbusinessbasedonsustainability, integrity,andvalueovershort-termgains.Leaderswho conductbusinesswithinthismindsetaren'tremembered— they'readmired,imitated,andtrusted.Theydon'tmerely createbusinesses;theycreatemovements,institutions,and leadersforfuturegenerations.

VisionThatTranscendsthePresent

Legacystartswithvision—big,broad,andmultigenerational.Traditionalleadershipcanbeabout implementingtoday'splansorsolvingtoday'sproblems,but legacyleadersposemoreprofoundquestions:Whatwill thiscompanybeknownfor20yearsfromtoday?Howwill mytenurehereinfluencefutureemployees,customers,and communities?

Thiskindofvisionlookspastshort-termachievement.This kindofvisionalignstheorganization'spurposewithwhat societyneeds,thehealthoftheplanet,andthewell-beingof stakeholders.Ittakesintoaccountnotjustgrowth,but growthwithsoul.Bybasingdecisionsonvaluesand purpose,leaderscreateafoundationforanorganizationto weathermarketplacefluctuations,technologicalrevolutions, andgenerations.

Theverynatureofenduringleadershipisthewaythat leadersinfluencepeople.Onedoesnotleavealegacyalone —itisseeninthelivesittouches,careersitestablishes, andleadersitraisesupintheprocess.Leaderswhoare people-firstaredevotedtomentoring,inclusion,and empoweringfutureleaders.

Theyknowthatabilityisnotsomethingtobemanaged,but somethingtobedeveloped.Theybuildenvironmentsof continuousgrowthinwhichfeedbackissoughtandin whicheveryemployeebelongs.Theydonothirefollowers, butsuccessors.Andtheytriumphasateam,notas individuals.

Intheend,thegreatestlegacyaleadercanleaveisnotthe businesstheyhavecreatedbutthepeopletheyhaveraised upalongtheway.

SystemsThatOutliveYou

Mostleaderscentralizepowerandknowledgeto themselves,whichleavesthemweakanddependent. Legacyleaders,bycontrast,establishself-sustaining systems.Theyencodevalues,decentralizedecisions,and buildinfrastructure—notonlydigitalandphysicalbut cultural.

Fromgoodpracticestogoodgovernance,theycreate organizationsthatwillflourishevenaftertheyleave.Their departureisnotacrisis,butcontinuity Thechangeis smooth,andnotseismic.Byinfusingtheirvaluesinthe organizationalDNA,theymakegrowthnotpersonalitydependent,butprinciple-dependent.

IntegrityastheCompass

Legacyisnotbuiltwithstrategy.Legacyisbuiltwith character.Integrityistheunwrittenthreadthatrunsthrough alllastinginstitutions.Leaderswhoremainconsistentin theirprinciples—eveninthedifficultmoments—leave somethingbesidesprofitintheirwake:theyleavebehind trust.

Inaworldwherereputationcanevaporateinaninstant, consistencyofvalueisthelargestdifferentiator When leadersmodeltransparency,fairness,andhumility,they don'tlead—theyinspire.Theycreatereputationalcapital thatwilllastlongerthananymarketingpushorPReffort. Integritymakesleadershipaformofstewardship—a feelingofresponsibilitynotonlytoperformance,butto principles.

ThinkingGenerationally

Whereasothersplanforquarters,legacyleadersplanfor generations.Theyactlikefounders,nomatterthetitleor years.Theyconsiderthelong-termimpactoftoday's choices—ontheplanet,onfutureworkers,andonsociety Theyfighttheconventionalwisdomofshort-termismand struggleagainstthetemptationtomakeexpedientchoices whentheysacrificesustainabilityorethics.

Thinkinggenerationallyalsomeanstakingstewardshipof ownership.Legacyleadersviewthemselvesascustodians ofacollectivemissionthatbelongstomany—customers, employees,investors,andcommunities.Theydefine successnotintermsofwhattheygain,butwhattheybuild.

CouragetoDepartWell

Oneoftheleastvaluedqualitiesoflong-termleadershipis knowingandhowtoleave.Greatleadersneverlingertoo long;theyleadthewayout.Theycreatecontinuity,pass alongthewisdom,andgoonwithintegrity—nothanging on,butinthestrengthofbelievingintheworkthatthey built.

Departingwellisalegacyuntoitself.Itshowstheleader gainedconfidenceintheirpeople,trustedthesystemsthey putinplace,andwasmoreinterestedinknowingthefuture thanself-profile.Itearnsrespectfromothersandleaves openthedoorforongoinginfluenceinnew,oftendeeper, ways.

Conclusion:TheTrueMeasureofLeadership

Permanentleadershipisnotegoglory,bottom-linesuccess, ortransientdominance.Itisaboutvalues,people,and purpose.Itisaboutbuildingsomethinggreaterthanoneself andmakingitkeepongrowing,developing,andperforming longaftertheshort-termfruitsofone'sdirectterm.

Toleavealegacyistoleadwithvision,humility,and conviction.It'stoplantatreeunderwhoseshadeyouwill perhapsneversit—butknowingthatindoingso,you've madesomethingmeaningful,lasting,andprofoundly human.

Lastofall,everybodycanbeginabusiness.Butfewwill leadforthelongterm.

Tanping Wang Senior Director, ML and AI Development

Jacqueline Karlin

Venkatesh Shivanna

Shardul Desai

Sandeep Jha

Eleonore Fournier-Tombs

Kailash Thiyagarajan

Naresh

The world’s most prominentWomen leaders show the importance of honesty, courage, impact, and decisive action in leadership.

www.x.com/insightssuccess