New World New Women
One of the questions we asked everyone on the Women Ahead list
this year is ‘what can corporates do to improve gender diversity at the top?’
The answers were as varied as the women on our list. Some said companies just
need to treat women the same as men and diversity would follow. Others spoke of
the need for specific policies and procedures that ensure women don’t lose
their career track when they take a break to have children. One thread that ran
common to all the responses was the need for role models. Corporates need to
place women on their Boards and in key management positions, they said, else all
the talk of diversity remains just talk.
Being a role model isn’t easy. The biographies of some of the
most successful women professionals of yesteryears show they made major
sacrifices to make it to the top. But young people want their role models to have
it all: an exciting career, a happy family life, wealth, fame, leisure. Which
brings us to the other question we asked the women on our list: ‘what have you
learnt about work-life balance?’ Once again, the answers varied widely,
depending on the person’s age and the vintage of their organisations. Start-up
entrepreneurs and professional executives, for example, look at work-life
balance very differently. But all agreed that every individual needs to find
their own fulcrum and it changes with time.
Now in its third year, The Economic Times Women Ahead listing,
based on an extensive study carried out by consulting firm SpencerStuart,
presents much needed role models from India Inc for India Inc. Picked by a very
exacting jury, the 26 women featured here have made an impact, not just in
their companies, but on society in general. A few of them are already well
known, while others have come into the spotlight for the very first time. All
of them have a long way to go in their careers and we expect to be hearing a
lot more about their achievements in the years ahead.
When we asked them what advice they had for other career women,
they offered up a smorgasbord. Seize the day!
Aditi Kothari
Managing Director, DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund
MY ADVICE TO OTHER CAREER WOMEN
Go into it as a career rather than a job
What I enjoy most about my work: knowing that I’m impacting
people’s lives positively, helping them to save and invest
What I have learnt about work-life balance: it isn’t hard in
today’s connected world. You don’t always have to be at your desk to achieve
something
How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: be
sensitive to the fact that women will need to take time off to have children.
See that they stay somewhat engaged with the organisation even when they’re at
home
Nandini
Piramal
Executive Director, Piramal Enterprises
MY ADVICE TO OTHER CAREER WOMEN
Be independent and ambitious but also pay attention to all the
things that matter to you, including health and relationships
What I enjoy most about work: my role as Group HR Head allows me
to contribute to talent development and growth of our employees. And
spearheading Quality, Risk & Compliance ensures I stay on my toes What I
have learnt about work-life balance: it’s important to have a strong support
system at home, especially through family members How companies can improve
gender diversity at the top: organisations need to comprehend the benefits that
result from diversity. It requires a gradual change in attitude and policies,
in tandem. We still have a long way to go
Anuranjita
Kumar
Managing Director HR - International Hubs, The Royal Bank of
Scotland
MY ADVICE TO OTHER CAREER WOMEN
Learn to prioritise; communicate your needs; make your own
choices at work & home and focus on your health
What I enjoy most about work: it is an expression of who I am,
it reflects my beliefs, thoughts and my relationship with the world
What I have learnt about work-life balance: it depends on the
stage of life one is at. At some point, career will take precedence; at others,
personal needs will become more important. Prioritisation is vital and in the
end, it ensures you remain excited about whatever you do
How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: there is
so much being done in most corporates today to ensure women do not lose their
career track when on a break. The opportunities are there, the forums too —
what it needs are takers
Gunjan Shah
Partner, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co
MY ADVICE TO OTHER CAREER WOMEN
Put your head down and work hard. Over time, people will judge
you on the basis of your work
What I enjoy most about work: the intellectual challenge
What I have learnt about work-life balance:
everyone has to find the balance that works for them
How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: by
recognising that we all harbour genderbased prejudices that need to be
proactively addressed
Namita Thapar
Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals
MY ADVICE TO OTHER CAREER WOMEN
Learn the art of guilt management more than time management.
Don’t give up on your career and aspirations despite disappointments along the
way. Having women mentors is important
What I enjoy most about work: solving problems and making a
significant impact on my business as well as my employees’ lives
What I have learnt about work-life balance: surround yourself
with positive people who will support you and don’t be afraid to ask for help
How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: I am not
much for forced quotas. Companies need to hire competent women at the mid-level
and create an environment that values work-life balance, especially
flexibility. Such women will stick around and rise to the top.
ET6FEB18
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