Listening, Learning & Reimagining Leadership

P Kala
Sabbatical Dates: 1st September 2025 - 31st December 2025

My 120-day sabbatical was a deeply intentional and transformative phase of my personal and professional journey. It allowed me to pause from routine responsibilities and engage meaningfully with a long-held dream—to learn directly from accomplished women leaders and women-headed institutions that have demonstrated sustainable, community-driven development. This period was not merely a break from work; it was a purposeful investment in reflection, learning, and renewal.

A central focus of my sabbatical was my engagement with women-led NGOs in Karnataka and the Kudumbashree program in Kerala. For many years, I had admired these initiatives for their scale, depth, and impact on women’s empowerment, livelihoods, and governance. The sabbatical offered me the time and space to move beyond secondary knowledge and experience these models firsthand.

What did you do during your sabbatical / How did you spend your time?
During my sabbatical, I devoted my time primarily to learning through immersion. I travelled across different regions of Karnataka and Kerala to visit women-headed NGOs, self-help groups, federations, and community institutions. My days were spent observing grassroots processes, participating in meetings, holding conversations with women leaders, and understanding the operational and governance systems of these organizations.

In Karnataka, I engaged with NGOs led by women who have built strong community institutions over decades. I observed their approaches to leadership development, financial management, conflict resolution, and community mobilization. I spent time with field teams, attended village-level meetings, and documented best practices.
In Kerala, my engagement with Kudumbashree was particularly enriching. I interacted with women from Neighborhood Groups (NHGs), MYRADA and Community Development Societies (CDS). I observed micro-enterprises, collective farming initiatives, and women-led service units. I also studied how Kudumbashree integrates economic empowerment with social inclusion and local governance.
Alongside field learning, I intentionally set aside time for personal reflection, journaling, reading, and quiet contemplation. This balance between external engagement and internal reflection helped me assimilate learning more deeply.

What questions and reflections emerged during your sabbatical?
The sabbatical raised several important questions, both professional and personal:

• What does authentic leadership look like when it emerges from lived experience rather than formal authority?
• How do women from marginalized backgrounds develop such strong confidence in managing institutions, finances, and negotiations with the state?
• Why do collective models of leadership often demonstrate greater resilience and sustainability than individual-centric models?
• How can development organizations shift from “implementing projects” to nurturing people-led institutions?

On a personal level, I reflected on my own work patterns—my pace, assumptions, and need for constant output. The sabbatical made me question whether I allow enough space for listening, reflection, and learning in my regular professional life.

What memory has stayed with you from your sabbatical?
One of the most powerful memories from my sabbatical is sitting in a Kudumbashree meeting where women confidently discussed budgets, loan repayments, social issues, and future plans. What stayed with me was not just their knowledge, but their collective confidence—the way they supported each other, debated respectfully, and arrived at shared decisions.

Another lasting memory is from Karnataka, where a senior woman leader spoke about her journey from being excluded from decision-making spaces to leading a respected organization. Her story reflected courage, patience, and the power of collective support.

These moments reminded me that empowerment is not a one-time achievement but a continuous journey built through trust, solidarity, and opportunity.

What did you struggle with during your sabbatical?
One of my initial struggles was letting go of the habit of constant productivity. I found myself wanting to “document outcomes” or “produce results” rather than simply observe and absorb. Over time, I learned to value stillness and presence.
I also faced moments of emotional intensity—listening to stories of hardship, exclusion, and struggle required emotional resilience. Balancing empathy without over-identifying with the challenges of others was a learning process.

Additionally, adapting to different cultural contexts, languages, and community rhythms required patience and humility. These struggles, however, became integral to my growth.

Insights or learnings you plan to implement in your work/personal life
The sabbatical offered several actionable learnings:

• Strengthening collective leadership rather than dependency on individuals
• Investing time in capacity building and confidence-building, especially among women
• Designing programs that are community-led and context-specific
• Creating regular reflection spaces within teams to pause and learn
• Personally, I plan to maintain a more balanced pace of work and protect time for learning and reflection

These learnings will shape both my professional strategies and personal approach to leadership.

Sense of rest and wellbeing post-sabbatical
Yes, I feel a deep sense of rest and wellbeing after my sabbatical. The break from routine pressures allowed mental clarity and emotional renewal. Engaging with inspiring women leaders rekindled my sense of purpose and reaffirmed my belief in people-centered development.

What made this rest meaningful was that it was intentional and values-driven, rather than passive disengagement.

How did colleagues and family feel about your sabbatical?
My family was supportive and encouraged me to pursue this long-held aspiration. They observed positive changes in my energy, clarity, and outlook.

My colleagues viewed the sabbatical as a valuable learning opportunity rather than an absence. Many expressed interest in the insights I gained and were eager to explore how these learnings could inform our collective work.

Feedback / areas of improvement for The Cocoon Initiative
The Cocoon Initiative provided a supportive and well-thought-out framework for the sabbatical. The emphasis on reflection and documentation was particularly valuable.
One possible area for improvement could be the creation of peer learning platforms where sabbatical participants can regularly share experiences, challenges, and insights, enriching collective learning.

Advice to others planning a sabbatical
To anyone considering a sabbatical, my advice would be:

• Listen to your inner calling and clarify your intention
• Allow flexibility—some of the best learnings emerge unexpectedly
• Embrace discomfort and uncertainty
• Prioritize reflection as much as action
• Approach communities with humility and respect

A sabbatical is not time away from work; it is time invested in becoming a more thoughtful, grounded, and effective individual.