Six months ago, RUSH launched a comprehensive leadership framework designed to elevate leadership capabilities across the organisation. As part of this initiative, the Harvard Leadership Principles course was chosen as a foundational programme to cultivate adaptable, strategic, and people-focused leaders. Recognising the importance of investing in its talent, RUSH is ensuring that all leaders across the company go through this course as part of their professional development journey.

Enter Varshil, Engineering Manager at RUSH… Varshil recently transitioned from a technical role into an engineering management position which made him realise the importance of refining his leadership approach.

Before the course Varshil viewed leadership primarily as providing structure and making decisions, now, he sees it as empowering others, fostering growth, and balancing structure with support. Leadership is about creating an environment where people can thrive and contribute their best work.

The principle of bringing out commitment rather than just compliance has had the biggest impact on how he leads. The course reinforced the idea that great leaders don't just delegate tasks but they inspire ownership and accountability by helping teams understand the "why" behind the work. This shift has helped him create a more engaged and motivated team.

Varshil has already applied learnings from the course with the coaching and feedback framework. In complex conversations with his direct reports, Varshil focuses on inquiry before advocacy, asking thoughtful questions to understand their challenges before offering guidance. This leads to a more open and solution-oriented discussion, allowing his team to work better together.

He is encouraging his team members to take on leadership roles within projects, lead discussions, and present ideas to stakeholders. He provides constructive feedback where needed, helping them build the confidence and skills needed to grow into leadership roles themselves.

“RUSH has been incredibly supportive in encouraging continuous learning. I was given the flexibility to dedicate time to the course while balancing my work responsibilities. This made it easier to invest in learning without feeling overwhelmed.”

If you’re planning on up-skilling while working, Varshil suggests making the learning intentional and actionable. Dedicate weekly time to focus on developing your leadership skills and apply what you learn in real-time, whether it's refining your feedback approach, or improving team dynamics. Engage with SLT members to explore ways they can support you in allocating additional time for learning and development. Incorporate bite-sized learning into your routine by listening to podcasts during your commute and leveraging accessible resources to continuously grow.

For people looking to grow their leadership skills he suggests seeking out opportunities to lead - whether it's a small project, a cross-functional initiative, or mentoring a colleague.

Varshil aspires to become a more strategic and visionary leader - one who is inspiring, connected to those around, and be able to drive success within the team to create meaningful impact and better serve humankind.

RUSH offers a $1,000 annual budget for individual learning and development, which every employee can use to up-skill in areas that align with their career goals. In addition, RUSH provides a structured leadership framework, ensuring that leaders have access to the Harvard Leadership Principles course as well as other company training programmes, such as AI and emerging technology education. By investing in diverse learning opportunities, RUSH is committed to fostering a culture of continuous growth and innovation.

RUSH seeks out projects with purpose because we believe technology should make lives better. This mission attracts people who are naturally curious, who want to grow, and who see learning as a lifelong journey. Our people are passionate about technology, driven by purpose, and excited about the potential to create positive change.

Learn more about working with RUSH.