A Tech Founder in Software As A Service (SAAS), Shenuma is a highly influential and inquisitively curious mind owing and owed much in her field. She believes that although artificial intelligence has several benefits, it has several cons.
Shenuma’s brand of leadership is conscious leadership which places more emphasis on knowing more about yourself, being genuine, taking responsibility in terms of ethics and cultivating a culture which represents the highest good. Shenuma is therefore a proponent of making and maintaining a sense of collective action.
Sustainability is high on the agenda of the day, but not many have answered the tough questions, like how to avoid the common pitfalls of unsustainable growth all whilst maintaining growth sustainably. Shenuma does this and more in her interview: she delved into the root of the problem and explains how essentially investing in renewable, eco-friendly, and politically forward-facing solutions can paint a better future that we can stick to.
The hub of much economic success today and her own residential abode, Greater London exhibits a significant pivot for factors such of demographic, technological, and economic transformation.
Enforce and learn how to manage burnout, how pushing past isolation common to entrepreneurialism is still realistic, and what happens when you meet your favourite author in Shenuma’s fascinating encounter with the 17th Karmapa, all in her interview with The Business Woman Today.
Achieving sustainable economic growth requires collectively taking control but especially larger organisations considering natural resource limits, social justice, and economic efficiency.
—Shenuma Kashta
As an SaaS Tech Founder, what is your opinion on one of the most recent & major technological movements?
One of the most recent and major movements is definitely AI (Artificial Intelligence) but it has both major pros and cons.
AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of society, but it also raises ethical, social, and economic issues that need to be addressed carefully. AI can automate repetitive tasks, analyse large amounts of data, reduce labour costs, and optimize processes, and so on.
At the same time, a major con is that AI is not capable of the same level of empathy, intuition, and creativity as humans, leading to potential biases or errors.
AI raises ethical questions regarding privacy, autonomy, and responsibility: as well as becoming dependent on AI, it can automate jobs and eliminate the need for human labour, leading to job displacement.
Ultimately, the benefits of AI depend on how it is developed, deployed, and regulated.
What has consistently set you apart from modern entrepreneurs, and where do you find the drive to keep this advantage?
Conscious leadership. I must maintain an approach that emphasizes self-awareness, authenticity, compassion, and ethical responsibility.
The point of conscious leadership is to create a more sustainable, responsible, and compassionate form of leadership that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet. This helps me to always make decisions that align with my values and principles, rather than solely based on profit or power which keeps me operating with integrity.
Creating a culture of trust, respect, and empathy can lead to higher levels of engagement and co-creation, engendering a sense of shared purpose and collective ownership of goals.
Conscious leadership leads to higher levels of innovation, creativity, and adaptability, enabling us all to perform better and be better in a rapidly changing world.
Being a leadership consultant testifies to a powerful quality and presence of leadership within you. What is the key to leading leaders?
A few major keys to leading leaders are building trust, setting clear goals and expectations, fostering open communication, empowering them, and providing opportunities for growth.
As a leader, you need to establish trust by being transparent, honest, and consistent in your actions and communication.
I understand that the people I lead are self-starters and have a natural tendency to take charge. So, it’s my duty to empower them to make decisions, delegate tasks, and take ownership of their work. I give them the tools and resources they need to be successful, and they get on with it.
Leading leaders can be a challenging task, as leaders tend to be independent thinkers with strong personalities and a sense of autonomy. Leading leaders requires a balance of support and autonomic flexibility.
What is the difference between sustainable and unsustainable economic growth? How do you achieve the first and avoid unsustainable growth?
Sustainable economic growth is a development that can be maintained over time, without causing negative impacts on the environment, society, or the economy itself. Unsustainable economic growth causes negative effects on the environment, society, or the economy making it not viable in the long-term.
Examples of sustainable economic growth strategies include investing in renewable energy, promoting eco-friendly agriculture, and implementing policies that encourage social equity and reduce poverty.
To avoid unsustainable economic growth, it is important to identify and address the root causes of the negative impacts of economic development. In my line of work, this may involve promoting sustainable consumption and production and investing in alternative technologies that are less damaging to the environment and society.
Achieving sustainable economic growth requires collectively taking control but especially larger organisations considering natural resource limits, social justice, and economic efficiency.
How would you describe the economic advantages of Greater London? Do you see any expansion in the next 5-10 years occurring?
Greater London is one of the most important economic centers in the world. I’m always grateful to live in a city with its own well-developed infrastructure, public transport, multiple airports, and additional factors which work together and facilitate good trade & commerce.
London has a high concentration of skilled workers, and businesses and a diversified economy that is not overly reliant on any one industry or sector, making it more resilient.
In terms of expansion, there is likely to be continued growth in Greater London in the next 5-10 years, mainly driven by factors such as demographic changes, technological advances, and increased investments.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy, and it is still unclear how quickly it will recover. Nonetheless, as well as Brexit, the underlying strengths of Greater London’s economy are likely to help it continue to grow and adapt in real-time to circumstances.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed and how do you manage burnout?
I often face overwhelm, yet I haven’t experienced burnout in a long time because I have a proactive approach to it. This involves taking care of myself, seeking support when necessary, and addressing the root causes of stress.
Burnout can manifest in different ways, including feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness. Recognising these signs is an important first step in managing burnout. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life can help reduce stress and prevent burnout. This can involve limiting work-related activities outside of work hours, delegating tasks, or automating tasks with systems like the Prosper Platform and avoiding over-commitment.
Taking time off work, even just a short break, can help reduce stress and recharge your batteries. This can entail taking a vacation, a day off, or simply disconnecting from work-related activities during weekends or evenings. I never work on Sundays, and I make a point of making that very clear.
Engaging in activities that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies, can help too, my hobbies are walks in nature, writing, and making music.
Talking to friends, family members, or a mental health professional can provide emotional support and help manage stress, because entrepreneurship can be extremely isolating. This applies especially if you’re in a niche industry where it’s hard for others to even understand what you do. This can prevent us from sharing our load. But we mustn’t be discouraged from talking to someone.
Who is your favourite author? Can you tell us about the first time you encountered them?
I can’t choose one; however, one of my favourite authors is actually the 17th Karmapa, named Orgyen Trinley Dorje.
The Karmapa is highly respected by Buddhists around the world for his spiritual teachings and leadership. A few years ago, I had the honour of attending the UK launch for his book called ‘Interconnected.’ The Karmapa is known for his teachings on compassion, wisdom, and the nature of the mind. He is also recognized for his efforts to promote environmental conservation, social justice, and human rights and this book also explores these themes.
The Karmapa had a sit-down book signing, at Watkins Bookstore in London, and as he left the store the guests congregated outside. He proceeded to point me out with his eyes and his close adviser came up to me in the crowd and asked me what my name was, what I did for a living, and I told him who I was and about my conscious leadership work. I shared what I was accomplishing at the time, and he congratulated me. As quickly as he approached, The Karmapa, and the team, whisked away into armoured vehicles. They were gone.
It was a very special moment that I’ll never forget and that somewhat solidified my path, work, and purpose.
