Mounica Veggalam

Mounica Veggalam, Leadership Coach

Most impactful leadership lies at the intersection of:
- Personal growth
- Showing up with strong presence
- Learning to connect and lead other humans

I support leaders to scale their impact and create business results by guiding them through the above areas.

Career and Leadership Coach

Microsoft

I often get asked, “How are you a leadership coach when you haven’t been a manager yourself?”

The leadership I talk about is not strategic or tactical.

It’s self-leadership.

Your career trajectory — whether you reach C-Suite heights, or stay stuck in the middle — it starts with you. With what’s going on inside you.

This is the powerful lesson I realized at Microsoft. 

I observed inadequate leadership, average leadership, and excellent leadership. 

I was in heated design discussion rooms, witnessed managers make technical choices from their insecurities, and noticed the best empathetic leaders lost in overwhelm without any recognition.

I also saw powerful leadership from people who challenged the status quo. And challenged their own beliefs.

They were the people who did the right thing
- even when they’re anxious,
- even when they’re frustrated,
- even when they were at the edge of saying, “screw this sh**”

Your frustrations, disappointments, and resentments are where your growth opportunities lie.

When you understand and transform your inner landscape, your capacity for leadership expands, and you'll see the outside results: the promotion, the better project, and the better titles.

That’s the best way to make an impact in this world.

This is transformational leadership.

If you want to learn to lead your people from the inside-out, reach out and we’ll talk.

I am deeply invested in my personal transformation and leadership. That’s how I’m a leadership coach. That’s how I lead my clients to discover entirely new ways of presenting themselves.

I offer trainings, coaching and deep personal transformation, so you can feel fulfilled in your leadership mission. Send me a private message and we’ll chat.

Software Engineer

Practice Fusion

One of my mentors there asked, “Would you rather teach your kids to be smart or to be kind?”

What if I could do both?

With that question, I realized how starkly I’m drawn to deep philosophical concepts and the nature of the human mind. 

And this realization would set it in years later. But I didn’t know that then.

This internship was my entry into the software engineering world. 

It was incredible, surrounded by brilliant people in the startup culture. This is where I released my first feature into production, had my first exceptional manager, and gave my first talk in front of 200 smart people (I was terrible). 

It paved the way for another incredible role at Microsoft.

I won’t lie— I was arrogant about my IQ and my ability to grasp technical concepts quickly.

But I also had crippling self-doubt and introversion that got in the way of my impact.

Even through all that, a couple of things are common today:
— I value people and human connection. Regardless of my arrogance and self-doubt.
— I’m constantly pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. No matter how scary it is.
— I always look at my side of things. Even when I don’t want to. Especially when I don’t want to.

Today, this helps me serve my clients powerfully, 
— I point to the truth at the risk of them not liking me.
— I can deeply support them in facing the risks and uncertainities.
— I invest time and energy in confronting my beliefs and blindspots, so they don’t have to manage my ego.

It's a deeply rewarding experience.

Software Development Engineer Intern

Life & leadership coach for professionals, leaders and entrepreneurs | Software engineer turned coach & inner-work guide

Hi there! 👋 I’m Mounica. I help visionary tech leaders fast-track their careers so they can create more impact, build stronger teams, and bring their vision to reality, all with joyful life-balance.

I’m a software engineer turned transformational coach. Throughout my career, I was driven and confident on the outside. I achieved accolades, promotions, and patents. On the side, I tried to handle all my dissatisfaction with life through meditation and spiritual studies.

But none of that changed the *experience of life.*

I was always looking into the future for everything to settle down. My conversations lacked joy. I was subtly controlling in my relationships so I didn't break down. I was obsessed with achievement. 

Now I have a general sense of creative joy while taking up big projects. And I'm more present with my family.

It wasn't an overnight transformation (nothing worthwhile ever is). I approach this work from an intersection of developmental psychology (think ontological leadership and Robert Kegan's constructive map) and Eastern non-dual spirituality. 

Here are 3 levels of transformation you can expect through working with me:
1. Embodying your leadership voice & an internal compass, so you show Executive Presence.
2. Holding multiple, often conflicting, perspectives, so you bring a vision you deeply desire to reality.
3. Holding multiple identities, so you find creative joy in every choice you make (and have you ready for non-dual interconnected perception of the world).

This work is not about adding knowledge or skills but creating a *fundamentally different kind of mind* that takes the largest perspective, is more complex, and can handle more uncertainty.

My clients report:
- Influence without losing their ethics or empathy
- Command respect in a room full of brilliant (or skeptical) people
- Have ease, joy, and fun creating the results they want

If you’re curious, send me a DM!

Helping tech managers fast-track their careers with personalized 1:1 coaching.

I help with -
- Making tough career decisions
- Landing the next big role and making a vertical moves
- Transforming into a leader who delivers, impacts, and inspires.

Management skills and Relationships come easy to people managers. But what sets you apart is the Leadership mindset. I help managers become leaders and achieve their career goals along the way. 

The typical titles of my clients include:
- Engineering Manager
- Director of Engineering/Program/Product Management
- PM Manager
- Senior/Principal Engineers/PM

Interview Genie

“I wanted to tell you that I've been offered a Program Manager position at Amazon. Thank you for all your guidance! Your interview coaching really helped me and provided confidence for my interviews. I know that I talk too much and always give too much detail. Cut cut cut! Thank you for practicing the STAR method with me. I recommend you to others who need interview help.”

I’m an interview coach and I've worked with thousands of clients preparing for job interviews. I help candidates plan their answers so they show the strengths needed for the role. My interview coaching includes brainstorming answers and mock interviewing.

We can work on basic questions like, “Tell me about your background” and “Why do you want to work here?” and behavioral questions like “When was the last time you made a mistake?” I'll help you tell impactful STAR stories when answering behavioral questions that show experience appropriate for the job. 

My past clients have appreciated my honest feedback and say it’s obvious I used to be a teacher because I’m good at explaining the best way to approach answers. 

My interview clients have landed roles at FAANG companies like Amazon, Fortune 500 companies, startups, and more.

I've also written extensively about interviewing. You can read some of my articles:

https://interviewgenie.com/blog-1/2020/2/5/what-if-you-cant-think-of-an-answer-to-an-interview-question
https://interviewgenie.com/blog-1/2021/1/31/how-to-answer-the-what-is-your-greatest-weakness-interview-question
https://interviewgenie.com/blog-1/2021/2/27/can-i-repeat-my-stories-in-a-behavioral-interview-how-many-stories-will-i-need
https://interviewgenie.com/blog-1/2017/12/11/good-and-bad-answers-to-the-interview-question-why-do-you-want-to-work-at-amazon

Or read my books:

•	Answering Behavioral Questions in Amazon Interviews 
•	American Interview Style: For International Professionals

Available at Amazon.com.

Job Interview Coach Specializing in Behavioral Interviews

EF Executive Language Institute

I trained international Fortune 500 executives in business English and business communication skills. 

●  I emphasized resume writing and CV writing, LinkedIn profile writing, interview practice (mock interviews), presentation writing and practice, and business writing.

●  My approach was to customize each lesson to the needs and capacities of business clients, while giving feedback on areas of strength and growth opportunity. 

●  I created an open, friendly learning environment so that students could practice English confidently. 

●  We created a plan to continue learning once students returned to their home countries.

Business English Teacher

ELS Language Centers

I worked with foreign executives enrolled in the school's intensive English programs. 

● I taught all aspects of business English and business communication, including speaking, listening, pronunciation, and grammar. I worked on practical tasks with my students, like writing resumes, CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters, and practicing for upcoming job interviews. I also taught American business culture and American fine dining etiquette. 

● I enhanced student awareness of how cultural communication patterns affect global business.

The Cambridge Institute of International Education

Using video conferencing, I tutored Chinese ESL students who were enrolled in U.S. high schools. 

●  I taught SAT prep and TOEFL prep, general ESL, and also provided homework help with all humanities subjects.

●  I monitored student grades and provided regular reports to their host parents, natural parents, and administrators.

ESL Teacher

The Boston Language Institute

I taught English to adult ESL learners in a diverse classroom setting. 

● I created and implemented lesson plans using my own materials. 

● I observed the teaching of colleagues and participated in feedback sessions critiquing my own teaching. 

● I received a TEFL certificate.

Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center

● I worked with a Chinese student on her beginning English.

ESL Tutor

English at Large

● I was the Online ESL teacher for a group of 14 students of varying ability in an asynchronous class. We worked on their practical English.

Online ESL Teacher

Pearson Education

● Negotiated approximately $10 million per year in editorial contracts for a K-12 textbook publisher. 

● Maintained company’s ties with 150 vendors.

Contracts Manager

Pearson Custom Publishing

● Managed the production of 150 college and professional custom textbooks

Editorial Project Manager

Publishing Solutions Group

●      Directed editorial development for the Student Edition of a tenth grade health textbook

●      Hired, trained, and supervised writers, editors, fact-checkers, and proofreaders

●      Performed editorial work on pages as necessary

●      Monitored schedule, budget, and quality throughout project

I’ve helped thousands of my clients from many different industries succeed in their job interviews.  

As an interview coach, I work with all career levels, from C-suite to interns. My interview coaching clients have gotten jobs at FAANG companies, startups, top Fortune 100 and 500 companies, universities, and hospitals. 

My company, Interview Genie, is where many of the Amazon recruiters refer their candidates. 

Do you need help preparing answers to job interview questions? Would you like to practice your answers before your job interview? Are you worried your communication skills aren’t good enough for an interview? Would you like feedback on your answers and communication style? Are you nervous when explaining things in English? Would you like to warm up your English before a stressful job interview or presentation?

I have a knack for pinpointing your job interviewing weaknesses quickly and a way of coaching you to improve without undermining your confidence. My coaching outcomes are excellent. I get regular emails from clients saying that the work we did together made a difference in their job interviews. Around 35% of my clients are referrals from former clients.

I offer 3 solutions:

◆ Mock interviews with basic and behavioral questions. I offer personalized mock interviews on the phone or over video. I can help you master basic introductory questions like "Tell me about yourself" or "Why do you want to work here" and behavioral questions like “Tell me about the last time you had to deal with an unhappy client.” 

◆ Written answers editing. I will read the answers you’ve prepared for the basic and behavioral job interview questions and give you written feedback.

◆ Amazon written exercise editing. I can help polish your essay.

I work with clients all over the world over phone or video. Would you like to work one-on-one or chat about any of the above? Please contact me:

jennifer @ interviewgenie. com ◆◆ www.interviewgenie.com

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