S5.19-123 - What's in a Name... "Mita"

✨ The Power of a Name — and Why It Matters More Than We Think ✨

In this episode of my podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mita Malik—a marketing and HR executive, author, and powerful storyteller—for an incredibly meaningful conversation about names, identity, and leadership.

Mita shared the origin of her name and how her journey with her name has shaped her personal and professional life. From childhood experiences of wanting an “easier” name, to navigating corporate spaces where her name was intentionally mispronounced, her story is a powerful reminder that names are not small details—they are deeply tied to dignity and belonging.

One moment that truly stayed with me:

“The most basic form of respect is honoring someone’s name.” 

We talked about:

• Why mispronouncing (or renaming) someone—especially from a position of power—can cause lasting harm
• How leaders set the tone for inclusion through seemingly “simple” actions
• The courage it takes to reclaim your name and your voice
• And how knowing the meaning behind your name can actually strengthen confidence and purpose

This conversation reinforced something I deeply believe: leadership starts with respect, and respect starts with names.

🎧 If you’re a leader, a people manager, or simply someone who cares about creating more human workplaces, I hope this episode invites you to reflect—and maybe even ask someone how to correctly pronounce their name today.

👉 I’d love to hear from you in the comments:
 Has learning the meaning of your name—or someone else’s—ever changed how you saw yourself or them?

#Leadership #Inclusion #Belonging #NamesMatter #EmotionalIntelligence #Podcast #Onomatology #RespectInTheWorkplace