Studded with merciless perils and despicable circumstances, mine is a journey from being a timid, small-town, conservative Indian girl to a self-confident, independent individual.
A journey that happened because I chose not to be suppressed under cultural pressures and social stigmas which are still leading to the desolation of innumerable girls in our country. My journey started as a girl-next-door, never imagining to even earn my living someday. The typical grooming for a ‘good housewife’ led me to take up home science as a major in my under-graduation, and ultimately culminated in an arranged marriage with a man who I first met at my engagement. But the dreamy affair wasn’t to last long, thankfully.
My husband (now ex) left for work to the USA and couldn’t take me along for various reasons – a separation that went on long enough for me to be forced to join him, with no clue of what destiny had in store for me. Language was just one of the many hurdles that I had to overcome. A reasonably pampered child, I suddenly found myself in a quagmire of doing odd jobs to earn a living or succumb to the pressures of a dominating and torturing husband. A day without a dollar earned would mean a day surviving on tap water. Finally, the turning point arrived when in spite of suffering the hardships, I had to leave my husband’s house to vacate my space for someone else.
Without a penny at hand, I pulled myself from my lowest point to rise up to the belief that my destiny would be determined ONLY by me. With just a couple of hundred borrowed dollars, I landed up in a new place to take the first baby step for my independence that started with a training on SIEBEL and since then I never looked back. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “A woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong it is until it’s in hot water.” I can relate this quote a lot to my life.
With regards to my career, success was never an option, it was a must. I should say that I was fortunate enough to realise some of the basic recipes to success earlier on, such as:
- Understanding customer needs
- Being passionate and believing in what you say and what you do
- Commitment to deliver
- Clear communications
- Adaptability
- Networking
Almost everyone gets opportunities to grow or succeed. What’s important is how one capitalises on those opportunities that come in their way. One such opportunity to me was working with big five companies such as PWC and Deloitte, which gave me very good exposure to interactions with business people.
Without a penny at hand, I pulled myself from my lowest point to rise up to the belief that my destiny would be determined ONLY by me.
Further building on my experience, I ensured that even with the shortest interaction, the brand recall of myself and the organisation was quite high. I believe this had enabled the customers to call me or reach out to the organisation even after a break of couple of years, when the project interests were revived.
Finally, I was not just keen on growing, rather I set hard deadlines to grow rapidly and make an impactful global presence. To achieve it, I’ve never hesitated to work across even four different major time-zones – Australia, India, Europe and USA. The fire to succeed and exceed also kept my energy-levels and enthusiasm high all the time. Further, I took up challenges, which many would prefer to walk away from. Delivering what I took up, on time and with quality, helped me to gain respect from all stakeholders.
Today I am a Global Vice President, have travelled 30+ countries with great experiences, learned so much from global leaders and thoroughly love my job – every bit of it. I am also a prolific speaker at various industry events. All through these years I have only learnt one thing “There is no Magic to achievement. It’s really about determination, choices, hard work and persistence.”
Tell us about any current projects you are working on?
At ITC I manage a practice which designs and delivers customer experience solutions for various industries. In my opinion, the whole concept of customer experience is related to the human psychology and consumer behaviour, a subject that is very close to my heart. I aspire to take this practice to USD 100 million in the next three years.
Honestly, there has never been any challenge, which would’ve have slowed me down as I take life as it comes. I see that each challenge that life has thrown at me is an opportunity to bring out my best potential and make it to success.
Apart from my regular job, I am also the Chairperson for the Sexual Harassment Committee at ITC Infotech and the Women’s Network here to empower the female work force – social issues that I relate to and feel strongly about. I am also a very active member of an NGO associated with ITC Infotech and also POSH community for the Bangalore Chamber. It is such a great feeling to give back something to the community. I feel that mentoring will enable the future leaders to progress through their career a little easier than I did. I find it very rewarding.
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
Being a single mother you have to maintain a constant balance between raising a child and giving enough attention to your job that demands you to literally live out of suitcases. Even the slightest imbalance can have serious repercussions on both the equally important aspects of life. There are times when compromise is unavoidable. I had to take some time off when my son needed me during his critical years at school. I don’t have any regrets as I got all the support I needed from ITC Infotech and also my son and parents. I would have never made it without this personal and professional support system.
As a leader it’s a major responsibility on your shoulders to practice the behaviour you want others to follow.
Honestly, there has never been any challenge, which would’ve have slowed me down as I take life as it comes. I see that each challenge that life has thrown at me is an opportunity to bring out my best potential and make it to success.
I have noticed that most of the woman lack self-confidence and hold themselves back and finally succumb to the circumstances. It is we who are responsible for our own destiny. My future is going to be a continuous fight against this suppression people are subjected to and help them walk in life with heads held high. I want to inspire people. I want people look up to me and say that I do have a role in their changed lives.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
Being able to raise and educate my son to be a respectable person on my own. The day he got into a reputed college for his higher studies is the proudest day of my life. He has always been my biggest strength and motivation, standing by my side at every situation in life. When people whom I don’t know also, reach out to me to for mentoring and guidance, I feel a great sense of achievement that I am able to make some impact in others’ life in a positive way.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
Given the opportunity, I would love to run a concept restaurant or have a vineyard and wine boutique with some of the world’s best wines.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
People who have taken me as their inspiration are the biggest inspiration to me. I am always conscious of what I do, so I can always set a good example and be a good role model. I have also had many inspiring friends and it is a continuous learning when I meet new people.
The day he got into a reputed college for his higher studies is the proudest day of my life. He has always been my biggest strength and motivation, standing by my side at every situation in life.
What does the future hold for you?
I feel very disturbed by the fact that women have to work extra hard to get what they deserve. In many cases they don’t even fight to get what they deserve, instead succumb to the circumstances that are imposed on them, whether physical, socially or morally. I have noticed that most of the woman lack self-confidence and hold themselves back and finally succumb to the circumstances. It is we who are responsible for our own destiny. My future is going to be a continuous fight against this suppression people are subjected to and help them walk in life with heads held high. I want to inspire people. I want people look up to me and say that I do have a role in their changed lives.
Very inspiring story and a great achievement. Good luck for your future!
Inspiring story, got a great feel hats off to you my friend.