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From Shrinking to Thriving – Neelu Agarwal on Why Rejection Is Redirection
What happens when the environment around you makes you shrink — and how do you find the courage to thrive again?
In this deeply honest and uplifting episode of We.Are.Powerful, James Russell is joined by Neelu Agarwal, Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo; happiness coach, and speaker on belonging and psychological safety.
Neelu shares her personal journey from arriving in the UK feeling apologetic, uncertain, and unseen, to becoming a senior leader shaping inclusive cultures. She reflects on how subtle behaviours at work can erode confidence, why rejection can feel so personal, and how small, consistent steps can radically change the trajectory of your career and life.
Together, James and Neelu explore why rejection is not failure, but redirection, how confidence is built through action rather than perfection, and why leaders have a profound responsibility for how people feel when they leave work each day.
This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone we work with is someone’s precious child — carrying dreams, doubts, and dignity into every room.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- 1'46"📍 What it feels like to “shrink” in professional environments — and how to reverse it
- 5’27”📍 Practicing inclusion by acknowledging that we are all someone’s precious child
- 9’32”📍 Not letting some of the put downs and negative words define you
- 19’22”📍 Dealing with rejection
- 24’13”📍 The perils of comparing ourselves to others
- 28’16”📍 How to approach situations where you feel underestimated
- 32’55”📍 What we can do to support others and creating a safe environment for others
- 38’57” 📍 Advice Neelu would give to her younger self!
About the guest
Neelu Agarwal is an Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo and a certified happiness coach and a speaker on belonging, psychological safety, career development, and leadership. Her work focuses on creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and able to bring their full potential to work.
You can find Neelu on LinkedIn at Neelu Agarwal.
If this episode resonated with you:
- Share it with someone who might need encouragement right now
- Reflect on one small step you can take this week to move from shrinking to thriving
- Visit wearepowerful.org for more episodes and resources
View all episodes
By James Russell & Alex SellersWhat happens when the environment around you makes you shrink — and how do you find the courage to thrive again?
In this deeply honest and uplifting episode of We.Are.Powerful, James Russell is joined by Neelu Agarwal, Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo; happiness coach, and speaker on belonging and psychological safety.
Neelu shares her personal journey from arriving in the UK feeling apologetic, uncertain, and unseen, to becoming a senior leader shaping inclusive cultures. She reflects on how subtle behaviours at work can erode confidence, why rejection can feel so personal, and how small, consistent steps can radically change the trajectory of your career and life.
Together, James and Neelu explore why rejection is not failure, but redirection, how confidence is built through action rather than perfection, and why leaders have a profound responsibility for how people feel when they leave work each day.
This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone we work with is someone’s precious child — carrying dreams, doubts, and dignity into every room.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- 1'46"📍 What it feels like to “shrink” in professional environments — and how to reverse it
- 5’27”📍 Practicing inclusion by acknowledging that we are all someone’s precious child
- 9’32”📍 Not letting some of the put downs and negative words define you
- 19’22”📍 Dealing with rejection
- 24’13”📍 The perils of comparing ourselves to others
- 28’16”📍 How to approach situations where you feel underestimated
- 32’55”📍 What we can do to support others and creating a safe environment for others
- 38’57” 📍 Advice Neelu would give to her younger self!
About the guest
Neelu Agarwal is an Executive Director for EMEA Inclusion at the global investment bank, Wells Fargo and a certified happiness coach and a speaker on belonging, psychological safety, career development, and leadership. Her work focuses on creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and able to bring their full potential to work.
You can find Neelu on LinkedIn at Neelu Agarwal.
If this episode resonated with you:
- Share it with someone who might need encouragement right now
- Reflect on one small step you can take this week to move from shrinking to thriving
- Visit wearepowerful.org for more episodes and resources