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Empathy for High Performance - an interview with Deep Mahajan, Vice President of Talent Management at Juniper Networks

empathy high performance Mar 25, 2025

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Deep Mahajan, Vice President of Talent Management at Juniper Networks, about the transformative power of empathy in the workplace—and how it’s anything but a “soft” skill. Deep shared her personal journey, the pivotal influence of her father, and how empathy is not only a moral imperative but a performance-driving force within high-achieving organizations.

Deep's leadership philosophy began taking shape in a small town in Rajasthan, India, where she watched her father—at the peak of his career as a surgeon—pivot to a life of service. His courageous example inspired her to choose a people-centered path, ultimately leading her to the world of talent development and performance strategy.

Throughout her career, Deep challenged conventional norms and followed a purpose-led approach, opting for authenticity and human-centric design over prestige or tradition. Her commitment to building empathetic systems has enabled her to scale high-performance cultures while still honoring each employee’s unique journey.

In our conversation, Deep breaks down how empathy is woven into every part of performance management: from setting collaborative goals to delivering meaningful feedback, and from personalized development to building a culture of trust and inclusion. Her message is clear—empathy isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Key takeaways from the interview:

0:00:57 – Deep’s father was her first role model in empathy, choosing community service over personal accolades at the height of his medical career.
0:03:27 – Her career path shifted from engineering and medicine to economics and ultimately HR, driven by her desire to help people grow.
0:04:41 – Empathy is a critical ingredient in performance management—it enhances goal setting, feedback, development, and recognition.
0:06:53 – Lack of empathy in leadership leads to broken systems, disengagement, and underperformance.
0:08:15 – Continuous, two-way conversations drive better outcomes than impersonal, once-a-year performance reviews.
0:09:12 – High-performance cultures depend on balancing bold expectations with genuine, consistent care for individuals.
0:10:00 – The future of work demands personalization, and empathetic systems are key to retaining and inspiring top talent.
0:11:08 – Empathy must be authentic—it can’t be faked. Caring must come from a place of real connection.
0:11:50 – Deep’s “5-second rule” helps leaders pause and respond with empathy in emotionally charged conversations.
0:12:21 – True empathy is about listening to understand, not to respond—especially when tensions are high.

If Deep’s insights resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. Let’s connect and explore how you can bring strategic empathy into your own leadership journey.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, please email me at [email protected].

If you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, build cohesive, high-performing teams, or lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Also, if your company would like to be a part of the 10-company book speaking roadshow for my new book, The Fearless Female Leader, I’d love to discuss it with you!

Cheering you on always!
—Sheryl