The GenHERation^® 5 Questions series features our exclusive interviews with the most powerful people in the world to provide you with actionable advice on how to navigate your career path.

Archana Acharya is the Chief General Counsel of Gallagher Bassett.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career? 

What I know now but wish I knew at the beginning of my career is that managers and work colleagues are not mind readers – hard work alone isn’t enough to get ahead. You need to advocate for yourself, speak up about your goals, and remember – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Which high school or college class best prepared you for your professional career?  

Participating in team sports during high school taught me how to work with individuals of diverse strengths and personalities to achieve a common goal – a skill that directly translates to collaborative legal work. Understanding team dynamics, dealing with pressure and playing to your strengths has best prepared me for my career as an in-house lawyer.

What is the go-to question you ask interview candidates? 

One of my go-to questions for candidates is – “Describe a time you faced a challenge as part of a team and how you handled it.” This question reveals problem solving ability, communication skills, emotional intelligence and how well the candidate works with others – all important traits for success in any corporate role.

What is the biggest risk you have taken? 

My biggest risk was uprooting my life and children from our established life in Singapore and trusting my intuition to return home to Melbourne after eight years away – without a job to go to.  It was a leap of faith driven by a deep sense that it was the right move for our future. 

What is your genius?

One of my key strengths is my ability to stay positive and bring light-heartedness to even the most stressful situations, without letting negative self-talk take over. I focus on solutions and maintain an optimistic mindset – I think that’s why people enjoy working with me.

You can learn from more of the most powerful people in the world here.