Leading with Heart: Erin Gadhavi of Synchrony On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership

In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Erin Gadhavi, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wellness at Synchrony.

Erin Gadhavi is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wellness at Synchrony, one of the nation’s premier consumer financial services companies. Erin leads Synchrony’s wellness vertical, focusing on key areas of growth, including cobranding, new product integration, and expanding distribution channels for retail, pharmacy, wellness, dual card world sales and in new markets, like behavioral health. Erin joined Synchrony in 2013 and has since held a variety of roles: first with the consumer banking team and then the strategy team, where she led strategy and initiatives for the health and wellness platform.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

Prior to joining Synchrony, I established and led a management consultancy firm dedicated to fostering innovation within the biotech, pharmaceutical, and financial sectors for over 15 years. Transitioning to Synchrony in 2013, I assumed the role of strategic initiative leader for the Consumer Bank. Here, my responsibilities encompassed spearheading pivotal growth strategies such as launching new products and overseeing the conversion of the core banking platform. I transitioned to leading strategy for Synchrony’s Health and Wellness business and today am the General Manager of Wellness, which includes providers, retailers and consumers.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

Growing up in Massachusetts and later living in New Jersey after college, I never anticipated my career leading me to the West Coast, but here I am. During my four-year tenure with Synchrony on their consumer banking team, I actively sought new opportunities to expand my skill set. When an exciting opening arose with the CareCredit team in Costa Mesa, CA, I knew it was the perfect fit.

I vividly recall discussing the opportunity with my husband, who recognized my enthusiasm and drive. He was very supportive, saying, “If you secure the job, we’ll relocate to California.” Following a successful interview, I was thrilled to accept the position. I made the right choice — this role has profoundly shaped my career trajectory. Focused on healthcare and contributing to organizational growth plans, it has been a tremendous learning experience.

What’s even more unexpected is how this career move provided new opportunities for my family. At the time, my children were navigating pivotal academic years, with my oldest on the cusp of entering 10th grade and the twins about to embark on their 7th grade year. While transitioning to new schools presented its challenges, the lessons gleaned from these trials were invaluable, far outweighing any initial setbacks. Seven years later, I can see remarkable growth not only in my own journey but also in that of my family.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

What makes Synchrony unique is we actually live by set values. I experienced this firsthand when a recent illness impaired my ability to walk, and I was suddenly leading from a wheelchair.

Although I am receiving treatment and am hopeful for a full recovery, I am grateful that Synchrony is a workplace where individuals are not defined by their disabilities — and where our hybrid model makes working easier for those who are living with mobility issues. The flexibility and support I feel from the company’s leadership allowed me to continue focusing on my recovery without worrying about how it might impact my career or the perceived competence to do my job.

Last year Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer Florin Arghirescu reached out to me because he was planning a meeting with Synchrony’s Board of Directors in New York City. He encouraged me to attend the meeting and moderate a panel discussion. When I briefly questioned participating because of inability to walk, he offered to provide whatever I needed to comfortably travel to New York City to attend the meeting and moderate the panel discussion. Florin’s support gave me the confidence to travel to that meeting and other future events.

Synchrony lives by its values to support and empower patients, providers, and its own employees. Patients and consumers need more help than ever in financing their healthcare. The increasing popularity of high deductible healthcare plans means that patients will often be responsible for thousands of dollars in expenses.

For over 30 years, Synchrony’s CareCredit has offered invaluable financing options for treatments and procedures typically excluded by insurance or when insurance coverage falls short. Cardholders utilize CareCredit to cover deductibles, co-payments, and expenses not covered by insurance, facilitating easy access to essential care exactly when needed. Our priority is to ensure people receive the care they need.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

As a successful business leader, three character traits that have been instrumental to my success are curiosity, honesty, and determination.

• Curiosity fuels my constant quest for knowledge, prompting me to ask questions, learn, and adapt amidst dynamic market conditions.
• Honesty serves as the cornerstone of my leadership ethos, guiding me to never compromise on values, listen to my inner compass, and speak with transparency and compassion. This commitment to integrity not only fosters trust among team members and stakeholders but also sets a positive example for ethical leadership.
• My determination fuels my desire to set and reach ambitious goals while navigating setbacks with resilience and innovative problem-solving.

These traits collectively empower me to inspire growth and drive success in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.

Leadership often involves navigating through challenging decisions, sometimes requiring us to think outside the box. At Synchrony, fostering a culture of innovation is paramount, driven by the visionary strategies set by our CEO and executive leadership. As a leader within this dynamic environment, I’ve encountered numerous instances where we’ve had to balance an array of compelling ideas with limited resources and capacity. One instance that stands out is when our teams presented innovative proposals aligned with our long-term growth priorities. This involved evaluating the potential impact, feasibility, and alignment with our strategic objectives. Ultimately, making tough decisions between competing ideas was crucial for driving focused execution. Through clear communication and transparency, we were able to align the organization’s efforts and accelerate results while ensuring that our chosen path remained aligned with our overarching vision. For me, this reinforced the importance of creative thinking, effective communication, and transparent decision-making in driving organizational success amidst competing demands.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?

At Synchrony, we prioritize an inclusive culture that encourages employees to embrace their unique leadership styles, even if they deviate from traditional norms. In my role within the Synchrony Diversity Networks, particularly as the leader of the Women’s Network, I’ve had the opportunity to demonstrate the positive impact of this approach. Our focus was on aligning with the overarching goal of Advancing Women at Synchrony, emphasizing meaningful programming, career management, and employee wellness. One of our most impactful initiatives was the establishment of the Women of Synchrony SVP+ community, which aimed to support Synchrony’s EDIC North Star of achieving more than 50% female and other gender-diverse representation globally. This initiative not only showcased the effectiveness of embracing unique leadership styles but also highlighted the importance of driving diversity and inclusion goals through collaborative efforts within the organization. It’s a testament to Synchrony’s commitment to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and celebrated.

In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?

When I think about resilience and vulnerability, I don’t apply gender to it. That is a benefit of working at a company that prioritizes a culture where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work, and these traits are valued based on their contribution to creating positive work environments and fostering success in competitive business landscapes. I believe we all continuously develop resilience and vulnerability, regardless of gender. It’s less about balancing these traits and more about tapping into them as needed, depending on the situation.

As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?

Over the course of my career, I’ve navigated and challenged gender stereotypes in various ways, evolving my approach as societal norms and workplace dynamics evolved. In the early stages, when conversations around gender equality were less prevalent, I sometimes found myself frustrated or even angry when faced with disrespectful or unequal treatment. However, as I gained leadership experience, I realized the importance of openness and setting high standards for respectful behavior. I’ve adopted a strategy of being candid and forthright, openly addressing behaviors that do not align with creating a respectful workplace. My commitment to honesty has helped me build trust and credibility, ensuring that when I express discomfort or advocate for change, it is viewed as constructive rather than confrontational. This approach allows me to remain authentic to my leadership style while challenging gender stereotypes in traditionally male-dominated environments.

How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?”

Practicing emotional intelligence and active listening can significantly contribute to creating an inclusive environment in a team or organization. Here’s how they can be employed:

1. Understanding Emotions: Acknowledge and manage emotions to create an inclusive atmosphere.
2. Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Value diverse viewpoints by actively empathizing and considering varied perspectives.
3. Active Listening: Give full attention to all voices within the team without interruptions or judgments.
4. Open Communication: Encourage open and respectful dialogue to ensure everyone’s opinions are heard and respected.
5. Conflict Resolution: Manage conflicts by understanding emotions involved and seeking solutions that consider everyone’s perspectives.
6. Building Trust: Develop trust and psychological safety, allowing team members to be themselves and contribute freely.
7. Continuous Learning: Model emotional intelligence, promoting ongoing personal growth and learning within the team.

Integrating these practices helps leaders create an environment that celebrates diversity, encourages collaboration, and supports the well-being of all team members, fostering a culture of belonging and respect.

What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?

I’ve always valued Synchrony’s Business Leadership Program and the Women’s Network. They’re not only excellent programs for attracting and nurturing talent, but they also help support the budding new professionals by providing them with the resources they need to feel confident in their careers. During my tenure leading the Women’s Network, I prioritized programs dedicated to career growth and advancement for other women in the business world. Fostering the growth of the next generation of business professionals for me is a rewarding and insightful way to connect with a new generation of thinkers.

I am also deeply involved with the Business Leadership Program’s recruitment initiative at my alma mater, Boston College. I am impressed with the talent we have curated from Boston College, contributing to different functions, including sales, finance, operations, and data and analytics.

My own experiences and participation in these programs have taught me to value transparency and empowerment when working with my mentees. I’ve always appreciated the support and honesty I received from my mentors and try to culture the same environment for my mentees.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically As A Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.

1. Establishing trust and fostering connections has been a cornerstone of my professional journey. As a consultant early in my career, I thrived in unfamiliar environments, quickly building relationships in new companies and industries — I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Transitioning to Synchrony over a decade ago, despite being a seasoned professional, I faced the challenge of integrating into a culture where many colleagues had longstanding relationships. Drawing from my consulting experience, I prioritized relationship-building, recognizing its significance for long-term success within the company. Through proactive engagement and demonstrating my capabilities on early projects, I gradually earned the trust of peers and leaders, ultimately becoming a trusted advisor.
2. Facilitating collaboration within a matrix environment presents unique challenges. When functional experts are brought together, naturally, a difference of opinion can arise. Leaders who embrace these viewpoints and help find the common denominator, whether in product development or commercialization planning, position themselves for sustained career success.
3. Championing diversity and inclusion has been a central tenet of my career. Early on, I encountered a pivotal situation where I collaborated with my boss in hiring a team for a new market initiative. Despite initial disagreements on candidate selection, I advocated for a diverse team, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives for comprehensive thought leadership. Though challenging, voicing this perspective ultimately led to the formation of a diverse team that significantly contributed to navigating the complexities of the new market.
4. Inspiring colleagues and nurturing talent is a source of immense pride for me. Drawing inspiration from my parents, both educators, I am deeply committed to fostering growth and empowerment within my team and mentees. Observing their ability to ignite the potential in others, even during moments of self-doubt, has instilled in me a similar dedication to supporting and uplifting those around me.
5. Fostering a culture of drive and collaboration is fundamental to my approach to leadership. I continuously challenge myself to contribute meaningfully towards our collective objectives, recognizing that success is a collaborative endeavor. Central to this philosophy is cultivating a motivated team aligned with our shared goals, driving toward success together. At Synchrony, our commitment to health and wellness extends beyond our organizational culture to our business goals. We are dedicated to providing innovative financing solutions that empower individuals to access essential healthcare services and wellness treatments. By aligning our leadership approach with our business objectives in the health and wellness sector, we ensure that our team is not only driven to achieve professional success but also passionate about positively impacting the well-being of individuals and communities through our products and services

Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?

In my experience, there are potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader. Some of these challenges include:

1. Burnout: Constantly absorbing and understanding others’ emotions and needs without taking adequate care of oneself can be exhausting and lead to burnout. Empathetic leaders might neglect their own well-being while focusing entirely on others.
2. Decision-Making Struggles: Empathetic leaders might face difficulties in making tough business decisions that could potentially impact their team members. To address these challenges, empathetic leaders can implement certain strategies:
3. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care routines to replenish emotional energy. This could include setting aside time for relaxation, hobbies, exercise, and seeking support from peers or mentors.
4. Develop Decision-Making Skills: Balance empathy with objectivity when making tough decisions. Consider the broader impact and communicate transparently with the team about the rationale behind decisions.
5. Continuous Learning: Engage in continuous learning and development to understand the nuances of empathy and its application in leadership. This could involve workshops, reading, or coaching sessions.
6. Seek Feedback: Encourage open communication and feedback from team members. This can help empathetic leaders gauge how their empathy might be impacting their leadership style in a positive or negative manner.

Being mindful of these potential pitfalls and implementing strategies to address them, empathetic leaders can navigate the challenges that can come with being an empathy, while fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Rather than starting a different movement, I would advocate for one that already exists — a movement centered on instilling values of kindness and altruism in children from an early age. By integrating this ethos into educational curricula and fostering its reinforcement within households, we would raise future generations that act with mutual respect and open minds as a default behavior and are wired to be grateful and share that gratitude in they way they help others. Imagine what a world that would be!

How can our readers further follow you online?

You can follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/eringadhavi/.

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!