Self-Care In The Channel Ecosystem: The Surprising Parallels For Resilient Leaders

In the channel ecosystem, resilient leadership means prioritizing self-care, work-life integration, and mental health. Discover how leaders like Sanjay Mehta of Commvault and Ghazal Asif Farhadi of Rubrik embrace work-life rhythm, vulnerability, and presence to prevent tech leadership burnout. Build your leadership strategy around sustainable practices and moments that truly matter.

It is currently 9:17 p.m. on a Thursday and I am in a familiar space: in front of my computer. Yes, it’s late and, for most people, the day is over. But for me, following a day of interviews, meetings, presentations, emails, school pick-up, and cheer mom-ing, this is the only time of quiet where I can focus on bringing it all together. Some call it burning the midnight oil, I think of it as my own variance of balance, something I have struggled with but know is important to my mental health and career success.

In the channel ecosystem, where time zones stretch across continents and the demands get less sleep than a conference attendee, the idea of “work-life balance” can feel more like a myth than a mindset. And yet, that doesn’t mean we stop trying to integrate our lives with our leadership.

So, I went to two channel leaders I deeply respect — Sanjay Mehta, global leader of go-to-market at Commvault; and Ghazal Asif Farhadi, vice president of global channels, alliances and inside sales at Rubrik—and asked them a simple but revealing question: How do you care for your life while leading in this industry?

Their answers were more than simple insights; they were grounded in hard-won wisdom. Here are seven takeaways to help us all lead with rhythm, resilience, and real self-care:

Set Expectations With Yourself First. Begin by asking yourself: “How do I plan to show up in life and at work today, this week, this quarter?” said Sanjay Mehta. Sustainable leadership starts by managing your own expectations. Take stock. Be honest. And, he adds: “Have the courage to adjust as needed.”
Ditch Balance, Find Rhythm. Forget chasing equilibrium. What if leadership is more like music—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, always in motion? According to Mehta, “if you seek balance, you fail as the ebbs and flows of work and life are inherently, and even intentionally, out of balance.” Work in a rhythm between the different areas of life because there’s only so many hours in a week.
Use Vulnerability To Build Connection. People don’t connect with perfection. They connect with presence. Vulnerability can be both soft and strategic . “When I drop my shields and get comfortable in vulnerability,” Mehta continues, “I find an amazing power to allow others to do the same.”
Hold Yourself Gracefully Accountable. This is key to Mehta’s role as a global leader. He asks: “Am I being the best parts of me? Am I showing up how I told myself and others I would?” Resilient leaders reflect. Ask the tough questions—and if needed, give yourself grace, not guilt.
Prioritize The Moments That Matter. A presence in your personal life fuels your professional purpose. Mark those meaningful moments—and don’t miss them. “I try and prioritize ‘moments that matter’ in my personal life and be fully present for them,” said Ghazal Asif Farhadi.
Embrace Trade-Offs, Not Guilt. “Life is about managing priorities… while accepting there will be trade-offs,” continues Asif Farhadi. There is no way to give 100% to everything all the time. Trade-offs aren’t failures; they’re decisions that contribute to healthy work life rhythm.
Practice Full Presence At Work. “I am trying to do a better job of being fully present while at work also,” said Asif Farhadi. For most of us, multitasking might be common, but being fully present is powerful. Focus. Listen. Lead like it matters. Because it does.

Here’s the truth: Only 1 in 3 women leaders in tech feel their workplace supports work-life integration in meaningful ways (2024 Women in the Workplace report). That’s not just a statistic, it’s a warning. We can’t afford to lead on empty. Doing so can lead to burn out and, in some cases, being pushed out or removed from leadership growth.

So, ask yourself this:

What’s one moment this week you want to be fully present for? Mark it down. Protect it like any other priority.

Because your self-care isn’t a side hustle — it’s the foundation of your leadership. Let’s remember to treat self-care as the strategy because you’re worth building it into your rhythm.

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