DIVYA BUDHDEV

What does winning Next Creative Leaders mean to you?

Winning Next Creative leaders is so much more than just recognition. It is a chance to champion resilience, mentor up-and-coming creatives, and give a voice to people who often go unheard. I’ve always believed leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up, lifting others, and proving that perseverance inspires more than perfection ever could.

“I’ve always believed leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up, lifting others, and proving that perseverance inspires more than perfection ever could.”

That belief comes from my own journey. When I first stepped into advertising, I honestly knew nothing about the industry. I carried the weight of imposter syndrome, while voices around me said I wouldn’t make it — but I kept going, one step at a time, and made it my mission to help others who might feel the same. Winning NCL gives me the chance to take that mission further — to create space for more voices, more courage, and more stories that prove we all belong here.

How do you navigate being your authentic self in corporate creative spaces?

My values act as my compass, helping me stay focused, make thoughtful decisions, and remain true to myself no matter the environment. For me, transparency, humanity, and empathy are non-negotiable.

I’ll be honest — I wasn’t always this clear about my values. It took time, self-reflection, and asking myself hard questions like – Why did I react that way? Why did I make that choice? Only through that process did I truly understand what matters to me.

Creatives are emotional beings — we naturally put a piece of ourselves into everything we make. That passion is powerful, but in corporate spaces it can be easy to lose sight of yourself. That’s why I regularly check in and ask – Does this decision align with my values?

“Creatives are emotional beings — we naturally put a piece of ourselves into everything we make.”

For example, as a leader, I know there are people who look up to me but may not always feel comfortable reaching out. I make it a point to check in with them, listen, and offer support — even when it’s not asked for. Staying true to myself allows me to lead in a way that’s authentic to who I am, while also creating a positive and authentic space for the team.

How are you approaching the tension between AI tools and human creativity in your work?

I approach the tension between AI tools and human creativity by treating them as complementary rather than competing forces. I use AI daily. Back in 2010, when I started, technology wasn’t this advanced — tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes, and I value AI for that efficiency, but funny enough, it has also made me more aware of my non-AI skills and made me mindful of the risk of losing traditional skills.

AI is undoubtedly the future, but to remain truly creative and adaptable, I ensure my team and I continue to practice and develop non-AI methods as well. This balance allows us to harness AI’s speed without sacrificing the human creativity and craftsmanship that make our work unique.

Who has inspired you to be the leader you’re becoming?

There’s not one person in particular, but rather the many different leaders I’ve collaborated with and looked up to in my 15-year journey. Each, in their own way, has taught me the kind of leader I want to be — or, as a matter of fact, the kind of leader I don’t want to be.

Some showed me the power of being patient, others taught me to be stronger mentally and faster in executing. Some taught me to be fearless, while another taught me to be empathetic and rational. The list goes on.

There was also an opportunity I had to be part of a global leadership training, and that made me realise that no leader is a superhero — they’re human, constantly learning and growing. What sets them apart is that they light the way for others. These lessons shape not only the leader I am becoming, but also give me the courage to carry forward the best of what I’ve learned and inspire others to be the best leader version of themselves.

“No leader is a superhero — they’re human, constantly learning and growing. What sets them apart is that they light the way for others.”

What challenge has shaped you most as a creative?

Since childhood, I wasn’t able to express myself or communicate well about what I actually felt. One of the biggest challenges I have — and am still trying to overcome — is my introversion. It has shaped me as a creative by pushing me to find new ways to communicate and connect beyond words.

Advertising became my outlet, giving me a way to express myself through art and turning my introversion into a strength rather than a weakness. Through a leadership training, I learned to practise both introversion and extroversion as muscles that need to be flexed from time to time.

Facing this challenge has shaped me into a more empathetic, observant, and intentional creative — someone who listens deeply and creates work that truly connects. This journey taught me that true creativity isn’t just about ideas — it’s about finding your voice, and using it to inspire others to find theirs.