Shilpa Gupta

Additional Managing Director Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board

An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 2008 batch, Shilpa Gupta is a staunch woman with the right mix of leadership, drive, personality, discipline, and skill. Prior to joining MPTB, she served as the Collector of Shivpuri and Morena in Madhya Pradesh, making her the first woman Collector of Morena.

Shilpa Gupta, over the years, due to her nature of work, has grown up into a fearless but calm personality. She is admired for her work as she deals with everything in a firm and fair manner.

Shilpa believes in including the team in decision making, giving them participatory roles, and motivating them. That is what empowerment means for her. Inputs from every member of the team matter a lot to her. It not only motivates them but also increases their sense of commitment to the organisation. All these factors overall increase the success rate of the mission. It also helps create a second level of leadership. Shilpa points out that it is also important how you respond when an employee makes a mistake. Mistakes create the best learning opportunity.

Self-awareness is the most important thing to follow, according to Shilpa. It is important to understand one’s strengths and weaknesses.

“It is important to have trust in your team and try to engage them. Sharing ideas and information freely and the power of listening also resonates a lot. This can lead to more motivated employees and better results. We have to nurture the ambition and aspirations of a young employee.”

Empathy, according to Shilpa, is one of the most critical leadership skills to possess. Due to COVID-19, people face multiple kinds of stress, anxiety, and other health issues. So empathy can be an antidote for them. She says that we have to understand the needs of others and should be aware of their feelings and thoughts. Empathy not only motivates people but also creates a positive workplace. Thus, increasing their morale, productivity, and loyalty too.

Next Vacation: Shilpa has to travel wherever and whenever required for official work, but she has yet to decide the destination for a vacation.