Empathy vs Strategy: A Founder’s Inner World | Ft. Durgesh Anand

Founder life is often spoken about in terms of hustle, execution, and growth.
This conversation explores what is discussed far less: the inner world of a founder.

In this episode of Heart-Led Conversations, Durgesh Anand, Founder of Madre Studio, shares his honest experiences around:

the mental and emotional demands of being a founder
managing work-related stress while handling multiple roles alone
how empathy shapes both personal and professional relationships
understanding perspectives in leadership and client work
inner practices like journaling, reflection, and brain dump that support clarity and balance

This is not a debate between empathy and strategy.
It’s a grounded reflection on how both coexist in a founder’s everyday reality: influencing work, decisions, communication, and relationships.

If you’re a founder or leader who:

feels the emotional weight of responsibility
navigates stress or overthinking behind the scenes
wants healthier communication at work and at home

This conversation will feel familiar and reassuring. :)

🌿About the Guest
Durgesh Anand is the Founder of Madre Studio, where he works at the intersection of design and strategy to help brands connect more meaningfully with their audiences.
In this conversation, Durgesh speaks openly about founder stress, empathy in leadership, and the inner work that supports sustainable growth: personally and professionally.

🌿About the Host

This conversation is hosted by Priyanka Sawhney, Founder of Your Haven and an Emotional Intelligence, Relationship, and Heart-Led Leadership Coach.

Priyanka works with high-performing founders and leaders to move from emotional overload, anxiety, and reactive patterns into emotional safety, grounded leadership, and healthier relationships: at work and at home.

Through Heart-Led Conversations, she creates space for honest dialogue around leadership, inner work, and the emotional realities behind outward success.

💬Reflection Prompt

How do empathy and inner awareness show up in your leadership — personally and professionally?

Follow Durgesh & his work: https://durgeshanand.com/

  / durgesh.designer