Akash Ladha, CFO of BAG Innovation and founder of ALSM Consulting Group, is reshaping his approach to leadership by prioritising clarity over chaos. He considers mindfulness the only way to lead with purpose in a world that rarely slows down.
Akash Ladha begins his mornings with movement and silence. He often goes to the gym early, long before people start arriving at work. To prevent unnecessary interruptions, he blocks out time on his calendar to exercise and reflect. This routine, developed through trial and eventual burnout, has helped him remain consistent.
“You need to slow down. Give your company and yourself time. All great businesses took years to grow, not months. If you burn out, your business will burn out. Your job is not just to go with the flow; it’s to direct the flow. You need time in your day to think strategically. Otherwise, you’re just reacting,” he explains.
The CFO is also the founder of ALSM Consulting Group. Before starting the firm, he often worked late into the night and woke up groggy, struggling through the day without much rest. Before long, stress built up. Even though the business was growing, his mind felt scattered. After much struggle, he decided to reduce screen time and step away from social media. He developed a routine centred on mindfulness.
“You can be brilliant, but if you don’t have the health, freedom, or relationships you want, then what is the point? True intelligence is getting out of life what you want,” he says.
Akash enjoys listening to and reading the thoughts of Indian-American entrepreneur and investor Naval Ravikant. Although he has no formal mentor, these resources have helped him rethink what success means to him.
“He talks about being clear on what you want and building towards it with peace of mind. There was a time I thought success was about how big your firm is. Now I think it’s about whether your work gives you meaning and leaves you with peace,” Akash says.
Cultivating a routine
When he needs to take client calls, Akash schedules long walks and sets aside time for deep work. His team knows when not to interrupt, as he has trained them to think independently and manage their own time. For this reason, there are no punch-in systems at the office.
“I don’t care if you come in late, as long as the work gets done. What matters is how well you serve your team and your clients,” he says.
For Akash, time after work is sacred. He has cultivated a routine that gives him pockets of quiet time, which help him stay focused when he is working on challenging projects. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
“To lead well, you need clarity and energy. You can’t do that if you’re always chasing, always exhausted. I spend 10 hours a week training my team on leadership. These guys joined as interns. Now they lead teams of 10 or 15. You need a system that helps you grow steadily,” he explains.
In an industry known for long hours and tight deadlines, Akash seems like an outlier. He believes his approach will soon become necessary, as people will need strong systems to protect their wellbeing as work grows more demanding. Although some see mindfulness as a trend, Akash practices it as a form of respect for himself and those he works with.
“You need to be proactive. Plan for what might happen and communicate before it does. Relationships are built on anticipation. You can’t anticipate if you’re always distracted,” he says.
In a world filled with constant noise, Akash has chosen quiet. In the stillness of early morning, he can keep his mind focused. Unlike before, when he felt overwhelmed by the pace of life and work, he has now created a sustainable definition of success.
“If you have reached a point where you can drink a good coffee, read a book, and know your work is making a difference, that’s enough. Everything else is just a bonus,” he says.
