In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. As companies expand globally and teams become increasingly diverse, the ability to manage across cultures and time zones has become a highly sought-after skill. In this new era, where lines of code connect continents and innovation knows no borders, a new breed of leader is emerging.
Prathyusha Nama is a name that has become synonymous with exceptional leadership and team management in the tech industry. With a career spanning over a decade, Prathyusha has risen through the ranks to become a Test Architecture Manager at Align Technology, a leading public medical device company. She leads a diverse team of engineers from Russia, India, and the USA, building automation frameworks from scratch and training each team member.
Her team consists of engineers with varied levels of experience, from beginners to lead architects working across multiple time zones. She juggles between technical and managerial roles overseeing key projects at Align Technology.
Key leadership traits
A prime example of Prathyusha Nama’s leadership traits in action can be seen in her spearheading of the Global Test Infrastructure Initiative at Align Technology. This project aimed to streamline and unify the company’s testing processes across multiple international teams.
When the initiative faced initial resistance from some team members who were comfortable with their existing local systems, Prathyusha didn’t resort to top-down mandates. Instead, she organized a series of open forums where team members could voice their concerns and suggestions. She shared her own experiences of adapting to new systems and acknowledged the challenges of change. This transparent approach built trust and gradually turned skeptics into supporters.
A team member reflected, “Prathyusha’s leadership during this project showed us what it means to lead with both heart and head. She listened to our concerns, sparked our curiosity to find better solutions, and always backed her decisions with solid data. It wasn’t just about changing our systems; she changed how we work together as a global team.”
Prathyusha also underscores the significance of adaptability in the fast-paced tech industry, demonstrating flexibility when faced with unexpected challenges. She highlights, “My ability to embrace ambiguity allowed me to make informed decisions and guide my team through the implementation process”—a crucial skill in navigating the complexities of adopting new methodologies. Through her creative leadership, resilience, and empathy, Prathyusha has
driven technical success while cultivating a positive and innovative work environment that empowers her team to excel.
Improving automation & infrastructure
To drive significant improvements in automation and test infrastructure, Prathyusha launched a “90-Day Automation Challenge,” a company-wide initiative that saw dramatic improvements in test coverage and speed. “We set an ambitious goal to automate 90% of our manual tests within 90 days,” Nama told our reporter. “It was a stretch, but I knew my team had the talent and drive to make it happen.”
She explains, “I defined measurable objectives and created detailed roadmaps,” ensuring that her team had a clear vision and direction. By empowering her team to take ownership and encouraging a culture of experimentation, Prathyusha fostered innovation and continuous improvement. “I fostered a culture of experimentation and ownership,” she emphasizes, which allowed her team to drive change and achieve measurable results.
The results were impressive. By the end of the 90 days, the team had automated 87% of manual tests, just shy of their ambitious goal. More importantly, this initiative led to a 40% reduction in overall testing time and a 25% decrease in post-release defects
Prathyusha also prioritizes continuous learning by organizing workshops on new tools and best practices, and pairing less experienced members with mentors. She promotes cross-functional collaboration through regular meetings and updates, ensuring everyone is aligned and engaged. By implementing best practices like CI/CD and cloud-based infrastructure, she streamlined workflows, leading to enhanced efficiency and improved quality within the team.
Managing a global team
Managing a global team demands a strategic approach that balances clear communication, cultural sensitivity, and the effective use of technology. Prathyusha ensures that all team members, regardless of their location, feel connected and valued by prioritizing clarity and consistency in communication. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences, stating, “I invest time in learning about the cultural norms and values of my team members,” which fosters mutual respect and strengthens relationships within the team.
To overcome the challenges of different time zones, Prathyusha employs strategies like asynchronous communication and rotating meeting times to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate without inconvenience. She also empowers local leaders to manage day-to-day operations, which helps address issues more rapidly and effectively. By leveraging unified communication platforms, organizing virtual team-building activities, and maintaining clear documentation, Prathyusha creates a cohesive and efficient global team that collaborates seamlessly to achieve common goals.
Climbing the career ladder
Navigating the rapid ascent from Associate Consultant to Test Architecture Manager in just five years required a strategic blend of planning, continuous learning, and proactive leadership. Setting clear career goals was the first step, as Prathyusha explains, “From the outset, I set clear and ambitious career goals. I knew where I wanted to be and mapped out the steps needed to get there.” Regular self-assessments helped her stay on course, identifying areas for improvement and making necessary adjustments.
Continuous learning was another cornerstone of her journey. Prathyusha invested in both formal and informal education, staying up-to-date with industry trends and technologies while seeking guidance from mentors. She took on challenging projects that allowed her to refine her skills and demonstrate her capabilities. By proactively identifying opportunities to add value, taking on leadership roles, and consistently delivering high-quality results, Prathyusha built a strong professional network and gained visibility and advocacy within her organization. Her resilience and adaptability in the face of change solidified her reputation, leading her to the Quality Center of Excellence—a testament to her swift and successful career growth.
Resolving challenging team situations
Facing a challenging situation where a partner leader’s verbally abusive behavior negatively impacted team morale and collaboration, Prathyusha took decisive action to resolve the issue and restore a positive working environment. She escalated the matter to higher management, documenting specific instances of the behavior and its effects on the team. Recognizing the importance of direct communication, Prathyusha traveled to Moscow to meet with the partner leader in person. This face-to-face meeting allowed her to address the behavior openly and collaboratively establish mutual expectations for improvement.
After the meeting, Prathyusha closely monitored the situation to ensure the agreed-upon changes were implemented, while also providing support to her team to rebuild their confidence. The result was a resolution of the conflict, improved communication, and a stronger working relationship. As Prathyusha observed, “This intervention allowed the project to proceed with a renewed focus on collaboration and mutual respect,” significantly boosting team morale and enabling the successful achievement of project milestones.
Mentoring and professional development
Prathyusha emphasizes the importance of personalized development in mentoring her team members, ensuring they grow both professionally and contribute effectively to the team’s goals. She begins by understanding each individual’s career aspirations and strengths, holding regular one-on-one meetings to discuss progress and provide constructive feedback. Prathyusha believes in fostering growth through tailored opportunities, explaining, “Assigning tasks that stretch their abilities is crucial for their development.”
In addition to fostering individual growth, Prathyusha encourages autonomy by delegating responsibilities and empowering her team to make decisions and solve problems independently. She also prioritizes a collaborative environment, facilitating peer learning and mentorship opportunities to enhance knowledge sharing and teamwork. By celebrating successes, offering regular feedback, and maintaining open communication, Prathyusha ensures her team feels supported and valued, ultimately strengthening the overall performance and cohesion of the team.
Evolving as a leader
To continue evolving her leadership style and meet the dynamic needs of both her team and the industry, Prathyusha plans to focus on continuous learning, fostering innovation, and enhancing emotional intelligence. She remains committed to regularly updating her knowledge on industry trends and emerging technologies, and she actively seeks feedback from her team and peers to adapt her approach accordingly. By encouraging experimentation and adopting agile practices, Prathyusha aims to keep her team ahead of industry changes and enhance their flexibility in responding to new developments.
Prathyusha also emphasizes the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion within her team, noting that “actively seeking diverse perspectives drives innovation and improves decision-making.” She implements inclusive practices to create a supportive work environment, ensuring that every team member feels valued. Additionally, she plans to leverage new technologies to streamline processes and improve efficiency, particularly in remote work settings. By focusing on personal development through leadership coaching and regular reflection, Prathyusha is determined to remain a forward-thinking leader, guiding her team successfully through future challenges.
Prathyusha’s impact extends across Align Technology and the wider field of software quality assurance. Her swift career progression and effective leadership principles of authenticity, empathy, and transparency serve as inspiration to aspiring leaders. Her strategies for managing global teams have set standards across industries, emphasizing cultural sensitivity and unified communication. Prathyusha’s mentorship has cultivated a skilled workforce, ready to meet the challenges of the tech industry with resilience and innovative thought. Her journey symbolizes a legacy of excellence, fostering a path for emerging leaders to follow with empathy and determination.
