Lifestyle

A peek into the life of Yanika Amarasekera-Siyaguna

UNPLUGGED

In conversation with Natalie Seneviratne

What do you do at the beginning of your day, which sets the tone before work begins?

Waking up early and cuddling my dog – I enjoy slow mornings! Those quiet moments before the day begins help me feel grounded they give me the headspace to ease into work with a clear mind.

Which personal habit or routine has had the greatest impact on your professional life?

My obsession with scheduling every aspect of my life – I’m very Type A, if you can’t tell! I have one calendar for my yearly goals, which I break down into quarterly and monthly targets. Every Sunday, I plan the week ahead in as much detail as possible and each night, I time block every hour of the following day.

How do you maintain a healthy balance between your personal life and a demanding work schedule?

As above! Having my days clearly planned keeps me calm and helps me remain present during my downtime. When I know everything has its place, it is much easier to switch off and enjoy some rest and relaxation without feeling as though I should be working.

If you had a month to unplug anywhere in the world, where would you choose to go and what would you do there?

Yountville in Napa Valley – imagine Stars Hollow (from Gilmore Girls!) during the fall –that’s exactly the vibe; cozy, beautiful and ridiculously charming.

On challenging days, what helps you reset your mind and regain clarity?

A chat with my mum or dad.

What’s been the defining moment in your leadership journey so far?

Most likely being recognised in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. It’s so easy to doubt yourself – and I certainly do – and that recognition helped ease quite a lot of the self-doubt I’d carried along the way.

Where do you draw inspiration from outside the world of business?

From everything – travel, TikTok, late night chats…

One facet of leadership you’re consciously trying to improve…

Finding the right balance between being assertive and fair.

If you could capture the essence of your leadership style in a short phrase, what would it be?

Ambitious and relentlessly customer centric.

What book, podcast or piece of content has influenced you recently – and why did it resonate with you?

Start With Yourself, by Emma Grede – there’s so much I love about it but most of all, it highlights the importance of self accountability – you ultimately reap what you put in. It’s full of tough love and I love that approach.

Having my days clearly planned keeps me calm and helps me remain present during my downtime

If you could give your younger self one meaningful piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t let anyone diminish your ambition.

How do you spend your ideal weekend when you’re not working?

Out with friends on a Friday night, recovery and Netflix on Saturday, and a productive Sunday prepping for the week ahead.

What’s the most memorable travel or life experience that has shaped the way you see the world?

My four years at Berkeley – surrounded by people who genuinely believed they could change the world makes you realise that it actually may be possible. That mindset challenged me to think bigger, take more risks and be less afraid of pursuing ideas that initially seemed out of reach.

What’s a simple everyday pleasure that brings you unexpected joy?

A quiet coffee before anyone else is awake.

And what is the most underrated skill that today’s leaders should cultivate?

Resourcefulness and being scrappy – the ability to figure things out, adapt quickly and find a way forward… even when you don’t have all the answers, budgets or resources you’d ideally like.

Name someone outside your sector whom you admire – and why?

Annika Fernando of PR – I’ve always admired her work ethic, her impeccable sense of style across everything she touches and the fact that she’s
not afraid to get her hands dirty.

A common misconception people have about leaders at your level…

That we have large teams and entire departments behind us. In reality, my team is small but carefully chosen – and together, we accomplish the same amount of work that sometimes takes entire departments to deliver.

Surrounded by people who genuinely believed they could change the world makes you realise that it actually may be possible

Looking ahead, what excites you the most about the next phase of your life and career?

Diversifying my businesses and stepping far beyond my comfort zone. I recently opened a cafe in Hiriketiya called Bert & Belle, which is named after my grandparents’ nicknames. I also co-founded an AI solutions company – more on that coming soon!