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The CEO Myth: Confidence, Control, and Learning as You Go | EP62
What actually happens when you step into the CEO seat for the first time—before you feel “ready”?
In this episode, Ritu Mohanka, first-time CEO of VONQ, breaks down the myth of the all-knowing, perfectly confident CEO.
We talk real leadership: the messy first 90 days, learning in public, and why control is overrated but clarity isn’t. Ritu shares how AI can open doors in hiring instead of shutting them, why bias has to be designed out—not trained away—and what it really takes to build products around people, not process.
We also go there—motherhood, imposter syndrome, boundaries, and why women can’t keep waiting for perfection to raise their hands. This is an honest conversation about leading with empathy, building healthy teams, and leaving a legacy rooted in trust, not ego.
If you think leadership is about having all the answers—this episode will change your mind.
The first 90 days as a CEO can be both intimidating and liberating.
AI should open doors in hiring, not close them. Screen people in.
The future of work isn’t defined yet—leaders must build for what’s coming.
Women should not wait for perfection to raise their hands for opportunities.
Balance is a myth; it's about finding harmony in different seasons of life.
Boundaries aren’t optional—they’re a leadership requirement.
Imposter syndrome is common among executives and can be managed.
Great cultures are designed, not left to chance.
Legacy isn’t power—it’s trust.
The best teams and products stay obsessively close to the customer.
00:00 Becoming CEO: What No One Tells You
02:43 Learning in Public: From Challenges to Triumphs
11:20 Motherhood, Leadership, and Letting Go of “Balance”
14:20 Imposter Syndrome at the Top
17:05 Designing Healthy Workplaces on Purpose
19:40 Boundaries, Burnout, and Self-Leadership
22:18 Legacy: What Actually Lasts
25:01 Mistakes, Growth, and Leading Without a Script
27:52 The Future of Work: AI and Employee Development
31:00 Unlearning the CEO Myth
| Connect with Us |
Follow Ritu Mohanka:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritumohanka/
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vonq/posts/?feedView=all
Website: Homepage
(Ritu Mohanka is a forward-thinking HR and people analytics expert focused on AI-driven coaching, personalized development, and the future of work. She champions solutions that help individuals grow in real time and organizations unlock meaningful performance gains.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-Suite
Subscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?
Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By WRKdefinedWhat actually happens when you step into the CEO seat for the first time—before you feel “ready”?
In this episode, Ritu Mohanka, first-time CEO of VONQ, breaks down the myth of the all-knowing, perfectly confident CEO.
We talk real leadership: the messy first 90 days, learning in public, and why control is overrated but clarity isn’t. Ritu shares how AI can open doors in hiring instead of shutting them, why bias has to be designed out—not trained away—and what it really takes to build products around people, not process.
We also go there—motherhood, imposter syndrome, boundaries, and why women can’t keep waiting for perfection to raise their hands. This is an honest conversation about leading with empathy, building healthy teams, and leaving a legacy rooted in trust, not ego.
If you think leadership is about having all the answers—this episode will change your mind.
The first 90 days as a CEO can be both intimidating and liberating.
AI should open doors in hiring, not close them. Screen people in.
The future of work isn’t defined yet—leaders must build for what’s coming.
Women should not wait for perfection to raise their hands for opportunities.
Balance is a myth; it's about finding harmony in different seasons of life.
Boundaries aren’t optional—they’re a leadership requirement.
Imposter syndrome is common among executives and can be managed.
Great cultures are designed, not left to chance.
Legacy isn’t power—it’s trust.
The best teams and products stay obsessively close to the customer.
00:00 Becoming CEO: What No One Tells You
02:43 Learning in Public: From Challenges to Triumphs
11:20 Motherhood, Leadership, and Letting Go of “Balance”
14:20 Imposter Syndrome at the Top
17:05 Designing Healthy Workplaces on Purpose
19:40 Boundaries, Burnout, and Self-Leadership
22:18 Legacy: What Actually Lasts
25:01 Mistakes, Growth, and Leading Without a Script
27:52 The Future of Work: AI and Employee Development
31:00 Unlearning the CEO Myth
| Connect with Us |
Follow Ritu Mohanka:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritumohanka/
Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vonq/posts/?feedView=all
Website: Homepage
(Ritu Mohanka is a forward-thinking HR and people analytics expert focused on AI-driven coaching, personalized development, and the future of work. She champions solutions that help individuals grow in real time and organizations unlock meaningful performance gains.)
Follow Inside the C-Suite:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/
Subscribe on Spotify – Inside the C-Suite
Subscribe on Apple – Inside the C-Suite
Want to be on the show or know someone who would be a great guest?
Contact Form – Inside the C-Suite Podcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices