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.
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#Operation Sindoor
India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happenedIndia-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said whatPunjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violationsVice 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.
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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.
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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
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
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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
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
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.
