Leadership is often defined by titles and hierarchy, but for Rahnuma Jahan, it’s about something deeper—something rooted in mentorship, resilience, and the courage to carve your own path. In this insightful interview, she shares her journey from a quiet, overlooked child to a leader who uplifts those around her. She discusses the lessons she’s learned, the habits that drive her success, and the advice she would give to women striving to make an impact.
What is your definition of leadership?
My definition of leadership comes from being a follower first. When I look back at the leaders and mentors who made a difference in my life, I view leadership through a different lens than the typical definition. I was always the shy, invisible kid, but the few who took the time to notice me were the ones who unlocked my full potential. So, my definition of leadership is the ability to inspire, guide, and support. It has nothing to do with your position in the hierarchy or your title.
Was leadership something that was inherently in you, or did you have to work to develop it?
Leadership definitely didn’t come naturally to me. As the youngest in my family, I was never the bossy type. But as I grew up, I realized I had to start advocating more for myself. I chose to enter a male-dominated field of study, which meant fighting against family expectations and societal stereotypes every step of the way. Later, I moved away from my engineering background and traditional 9-to-5 jobs, once again facing resistance and having to carve my own path. Looking back, I realize that the fight to choose my own path turned me into a leader. In my country, women are rarely supported in building strong careers. So, I took on that role—helping my sisters and friends take their careers more seriously and giving them the push they needed. My surroundings and circumstances shaped me into a leader.
What is your definition of success?
Being born in a developing country, success is often tied to money and wealth. Here, if you manage to migrate to a developed country, you’re considered successful. So, it took me a long time to define success in a way that felt meaningful and worth striving for. Today, I define success from two perspectives. The first is external: the contributions you make. My country is going through a major reform. If I can make even a small contribution toward its future, I’d consider myself successful. The second is internal: when you look in the mirror and truly admire and respect the person looking back at you—that’s success.
What are some of the habits that allow you to be successful?
The daily habits that keep me on track revolve around taking care of both my body and mind. For my physical health, I’m a competitive powerlifter and train four times a week. I’m also diligent about my diet, prepping meals ahead of time to ensure I’m hitting my macros and properly nourishing my body. Mental health has always been a struggle for me, but over the years, I’ve refined the tools that help me stay in the best shape mentally. That includes spending time with my cats, writing regularly, and reading every day. I try to limit my social media use and avoid visual contents as much as possible. I also love learning—whether it’s a third language, a random skill, or anything that piques my curiosity. Another habit I’ve developed is learning from the people around me. Whenever I see a good trait in someone, I try to instill it in myself. This practice not only helps me grow but also keeps jealousy and comparison away.
What is hard lesson you have had to learn so far in your life?
One hard lesson I’ve learned is that things don’t always have to feel uncomfortable. You will fit in. You will find a sense of belonging. That place exists—you just haven’t found it yet, so keep searching. I always struggled to fit in. Engineering school felt great, but once I stepped outside the classroom, something always felt off. Even in my personal life, I often felt like the odd one out. I almost accepted that feeling as permanent—until I lucked out and found my people, my space.
What do you think keeps women from taking an opportunity that might be presented to them?
Through my work with Habituelle, I’ve heard so many women explain the barriers that keep them from seizing opportunities, and I agree with pretty much all of them. As women, we are often burdened with more responsibilities. We hesitate to take up too much space or disrupt other people’s lives. We also fear failure and disappointing others—especially because most women don’t have a strong support system to fall back on. They don’t have someone to give them that final push. Looking back, I don’t think I even recognized the opportunities that were right in front of me. It was always my people who pushed me toward them. And unfortunately, not all women are that lucky.
What advice would you give to your younger self or to younger women as they look to develop leadership?
My advice to my younger self would be: Stop trying to fit in. Try standing out for a change. The things that feel suffocating right now will open doors for you later—just hold on to yourself. Don’t let the pressure mold you into something you’ll end up resenting. And to younger women, I’d say: Work on who you are rather than what you have. It might sound philosophical, but years from now, if you’re not happy with who you’ve become, nothing else will matter. Also, refine your mind. The rights and privileges you enjoy now—so blissfully and unconsciously—could be taken away at any moment. If you don’t even have the knowledge to recognize that, how will you speak up for yourself? Given the current world climate, we can’t afford to be ignorant any longer.
Rahnuma Jahan is a skilled writer and transcriptionist, delivering high-quality content and precise documentation across industries. With expertise in storytelling, she has crafted engaging work in personal development, freelancing, healthcare, and lifestyle. She has worked with top clients like EPHMRA, Ipsos, and Fleet Fingers, specializing in medical, legal, and academic transcriptions. A competitive powerlifter and lifelong learner, Rahnuma is passionate about mentorship and personal growth. She has been supporting the work of Habituelle since January 2024.
