Shyla Krishnamurthy, Program Manager at Rakuten Symphony Deutschland joins us to share her journey through the world of telecom, her passion for program management and Life & Leadership coaching.
Tell us about your journey to Rakuten Symphony.
My journey in Telecom began in 2003 with Wipro in Bangalore. 4 years later, an opportunity arose to move to Germany and work with Nokia, a former client. Over time, I worked with major telecom firms like Deutsche Telekom, ZTE, and Nokia across Germany.
After a brief return to India and working with certification firms, I returned to Germany and joined Rakuten Symphony Deutschland in 2023, drawn by the opportunity to be at the intersection of innovation, telecom, and global impact.
Before Rakuten Symphony, I held program and project management roles across industries, and I gradually transitioned toward transformation-driven leadership, which has naturally evolved towards transformation-driven leadership. Rakuten Symphony has provided a dynamic and collaborative environment, fostering not only professional growth in managing people, projects, and stakeholders, but also significant personal development through continuous self-reflection.
What does a typical day look like for a Program Manager?
No two days are ever the same, which keeps things exciting. Each day brings unique challenges that require strategic thinking and quick decision-making.
I spend a lot of time aligning with cross-functional and engineering teams, tracking deliverables, managing risks, and ensuring short and long-term milestones are met. But beyond execution, communication is key. Effective communication is the cornerstone of my leadership approach. It allows me to distill complex information, maintain a clear strategic vision, and ensure alignment among stakeholders at every level.
My role centers on balancing daily execution with long-term strategy, achieved through strong and purposeful communication.
What are some hobbies you enjoy in your downtime?
Outside of work, I’m a certified Life and Leadership coach, focussing on professionals It’s deeply fulfilling work that keeps me grounded and inspired. To lead others, I first chose to lead myself—taking a leap of faith to become a certified Life & Leadership Coach. Today, I work with global professionals and leaders, with a core focus on empowering female professionals—helping them overcome limiting beliefs and discover clarity in both personal and professional spheres.
I’m also a trained vocalist and licensed Zumba instructor. While I haven't resumed classes recently, music and dance energise me in ways nothing else can.
Then there's Milo, my dog, who’s always by my side, and my teenage son who’s entering an exciting phase of life. Long walks & play time with Milo, connecting with people & various communities mainly focusing on that mindful growth are things that bring me joy.
How do you balance the structured, goal-driven world of program management with the introspective, personal growth focus of life & leadership coaching?
Though program management and coaching seem different, they complement each other beautifully. Program management thrives on structure, planning, and execution, while coaching brings empathy, self-awareness, and alignment with values. Coaching deepens my ability to lead with intention and understand people better. Program management, in turn, grounds my coaching practice in results and strategic thinking.
Rather than seeking balance, I aim to harmonize the two. That harmony fuels both personal growth and professional excellence—and makes me more effective in both roles.
Have you ever applied life & leadership coaching techniques to resolve challenges in your role as a Program Manager? Can you share a memorable example?
Absolutely. One example involved a miscommunication across a cross-functional team, which was delaying a critical project. Rather than jumping straight into problem-solving, I used active listening and powerful questioning—core coaching techniques. This surfaced deeper concerns, allowing team members to express themselves openly. Once everyone felt heard, we regained momentum and resolved the issue more effectively.
That experience reinforced how emotional intelligence is just as important in technical environments. When people feel understood, collaboration improves—and so do results.
What’s one mindset shift from life coaching that you believe every professional should adopt to succeed in their career?
The most important shift is from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.
Too often, we define ourselves by our limitations—“I’m not good at this” or “This is just how I am.” A growth mindset challenges these narratives and opens the door to learning, resilience, and creativity.
When we become more self-aware, we develop situational awareness too— allowing us to better handle challenges and discomfort. In fast-paced industries, striving for perfection can be paralyzing. But embracing progress over perfection unlocks long-term success.
What’s next for you?
At Rakuten Symphony, I'm looking forward to expanding my strategic impact, particularly in the areas of organizational and industry transformation. Beyond strategic initiatives, I'm passionate about fostering employee well-being and sharing mindfulness practices through dedicated workshops. My personal and professional philosophy centers on blending operational excellence with a human-centered approach. It's a purposeful journey—and I believe when we lead with both heart and mind, success naturally follows. In coaching, I'm excited to expand my impact by leading transformational programs and mentoring future leaders worldwide.
