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    Message from India's Women Inc is loud and clear: Gender no handicap, glass ceiling exists only in the mind

    Synopsis

    Corporate India's bright, women leaders feel that one's capability is the only ceiling.

    ET WOmen Ahead 2017

    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 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.

    And if you are planning to pursue one of these sectors to boost your career, the advice from these ladies would be priceless.


    Vasuta Agarwal
    Vice President
    InMobi
    Vasuta Agarwal Vice President InMobi
    Vasuta Agarwal, Vice President, InMobi

    What I enjoy most about work: The freedom and challenge of running and growing the India business at InMobi. To be honest, it doesn’t feel like work at all.

    What I have learnt about work-life balance: It’s really important to have work-life balance because it helps you sustain and grow career-wise in the mid-term. If life is only work and nothing outside, then you will quickly burn out.

    How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: A mentoring programme for young women to learn from experiences of other women and to help them with advice at critical junctures when women tend to drop out from the workplace.

    My advice to other career women: Don’t think of your gender as a handicap —the change in thinking starts with you. Know yourself well since you are the best judge of your strengths, weaknesses, ambitions and fears and let these guide you.

    Also read: Advice from India Inc's rising women bosses - work hard, master the art of guilt management

    Lara Balsara Vajifdar
    Executive Director
    Madison World

    Lara Balsara Vajifdar, Executive Director, Madison World
    Lara Balsara Vajifdar, Executive Director, Madison World
    What I enjoy most about work: Every day is a new day with new challenges and opportunities.

    What I have learnt about work-life balance: They coexist and can’t be compartmentalised.

    How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: Hire the best person for the job, irrespective of gender.

    My advice to other career women: The glass ceiling exists only in your mind. Your capability is the only ceiling.

    Also read: ET Women Ahead - diversity will remain mere talk unless boardrooms become equal

    Taru Dahiya
    Asia-Pacific Head - Inside Sales
    Google Cloud
    Taru Dahiya Asia-Pacific Head - Inside Sales Google Cloud
    Taru Dahiya, Asia-Pacific Head - Inside Salesm Google Cloud

    What I enjoy most about work: I am doing what I chose to do and in a company that I chose myself.

    What I have learnt about work-life balance: Operationalise what it means to you. For me, it’s all about giving 100% to what’s in front of me — be it my son, my family or a project at work.

    How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: Accept that it exists and analyse your current situation. Then set the tone from the top and overcome unconscious bias in hiring, promotion, pay scale. Create a SWAT team that focuses on actions to be taken. Last, take ownership and accountability to drive change and create a diverse workplace.

    My advice to other career women: Get off the Hamster wheel and be intentional about your career.

    Also read: ET Women Ahead - workplace diversity possible only with high-visibility, female role models

    Suparna Biswas
    Partner
    McKinsey & Co

    Suparna Biswas, Partner, McKinsey & Co
    Suparna Biswas, Partner, McKinsey & Co
    What I enjoy most about work: New problems to solve everyday, new things to learn, helping leaders build successful businesses over time and working with incredibly smart, talented and inspiring colleagues along the way.

    What I have learnt about work-life balance: I find my personal balance by compartmentalising — while weekdays are all about work, weekends are dedicated for family. I avoid taking work home for the weekend. Spending time with my children helps me feel happy and refreshed.

    How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: Since 2007, McKinsey’s Women Matter research has been making the case for raising the number of women in senior positions. A large number of skilled women enter the workforce, but many drop out. This is particularly true in Asia. There’s no easy answer, but companies can start addressing this gap by setting concrete goals, institutionalising formal programmes like flexi-careers and maternity transitions, encouraging sponsorship of talented women by senior leaders and consistent monitoring of progress against the goals.

    My advice to other career women: Find your circle of support — sponsors, mentors, colleagues, teams and your partner and family. Success does not happen in isolation.

    Also read: ET Women Ahead - how a stellar jury chose 26 role models from a list of 120

    Manisha Sharma
    Head of programming
    Colors, Viacom 18 Media

    Manisha Sharma, Head of programming, Colors, Viacom 18 Media
    Manisha Sharma, Head of programming, Colors, Viacom 18 Media

    What I enjoy most about work: Facing a new challenge daily. Television gives you that thrill on a minute by minute basis.

    What I have learnt about work-life balance: It’s not easy. Only if you can control and plan ahead can you make time for your life...I’m getting there.

    How companies can improve gender diversity at the top: I believe if you are good at what you do that’s half the battle won with gender diversity.

    My advice to other career women: A career gives us the joy and satisfaction that is as good as what one gets from a family; and we need both to have a poised life.

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