Take Five

Five leading women from five different fields share five management rules they live by, exclusively to Fastrack for Women’s Day

Wings of fire: Kalpana Saroj, Chairperson, Kamani Tubes Limited
Padmashree awardee, ex-director Bhartiya Mahila Bank, an entrepreneur who has more than 7 successful companies under her name with a net worth of more than 1000 crores, that is Kalpana Saroj for you.
An underprivileged child born in the small village of Murtijapur in Akola district of Maharashtra, Saroj was married off as a child bride.
Not the one to take the raw deal life was handing her, she decided to fight back. She came to Mumbai and did small jobs and worked her way up with her entrepreneurial skill and people management skills.
A woman, she says has everything within her. “She is shakti. The only thing she has to do is tap into the power that lies deep within her. Her mind is the only thing that ties her and the only thing that can set herself free”, says the Chairperson of Kamani Tubes Limited.
Kalpana Saroj shares her top five management rules:

Believe in yourself: Once you have decided to do something, just chase it with all your might. There will be bumps on the road but you have to stick to your belief and keep forging ahead.

People connect is crucial: Always believe there is good in everyone. Once you think positively about a person, you will get to see them rise to the occasion. It’s important to spend time and build connections with people-talk to them spend time knowing them.

Time is crucial: I have always believed in the power of time. According to me, time management is important to achieve success. I like to take my time and the other person’s very seriously. Always reach five minutes before the scheduled time of the meeting!

Spend time with family: Just like bird goes out of her nest but flies back home to her nest, so do we. A family is what makes a house a home. Spend time to build relationships with everyone at home, your siblings, your extended family.

Count your blessings: I tell women to look at how far we have come. From so many restrictions, so many limiting beliefs and setups to now holding important positions in every possible field, women have come a long way. Simply trust in yourself and keep pushing going!

Trusting nature’s ways: Shahnaz Husain, Founder Shahnaz Husain Group
Padma Shri awardee Shahnaz Husain’s herbal cosmetics and skin care products have stood the test of time and continue to have a notable audience in India as well as abroad. “Much more than I ever dreamed has come true! All I did was embrace the change and encourage a culture of continuous improvement within my team”.

She started her venture 50 years ago. “I wanted to provide herbal beauty, based on Ayurveda and the principle of “care and cure.” It was a concept that did not exist then, but I had a strong desire to bring the ancient wisdom back to the world and also innovate and make a difference.”

A Harvard Case Study and Subject, Shahnaz Husain has received several prestigious international awards, while her products have received Quality Excellence Awards in London, Geneva, Cannes, Paris and New York. She tells aspiring women, “It is not important what you want, how badly you want it”.

Here are the leading lessons of Shanaz Husain

Clear communication and setting expectations: When you communicate goals, roles, and performance standards to your team and when people around you understand what is expected of them, it fosters accountability and creates a road map for success.

I believe in living by example. And when you lead with integrity and authenticity, you create a positive and motivating work environment.

Be flexible: When success comes, so do the challenges. Flexibility and a willingness to learn from challenges are essential qualities that enable leaders to navigate uncertainties and guide their teams through transitions.

Positive work culture: The most important, crucial, and essential management rule is that you develop a positive work culture. One needs to recognise the hard work and achievements, provide opportunities for professional development, and prioritise building a supportive environment.

Stay tuned: Stay abreast of industry trends, solicit feedback, and be willing to adjust strategies when necessary.

Trust and empower: When you trust your team, you empower them. This also helps foster a sense of ownership and accountability. And once you have a solid empowered team, success is yours.

The toolkit for success: Vandana Ghumaan, CEO Galler Group (LMD Hitech India Private Limited)

When Ghumaan started out at 20, as an account assistant with a company to support her family, she was the only woman in the auto company. Now when she heads an end-to-end engineering solutions company as its CEO, she feels an immense sense of pride.

As the CEO of Galler Group, she leverages her 10 years of experience and credentials in accounting and manufacturing to drive innovation, growth, and value creation.

With a passion for developing and implementing cutting-edge technology and processes that enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction, she is clearly walking the talk.

Seeing women in leading roles always leaves her with a smile for how the world around is changing.

“With position comes power and I see more and more women getting that power now and the society more ready to accept that power.”

Her guiding principles for entrepreneurial excellence are:

Embrace diversity and inclusion: Embrace different perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas, as diverse teams often lead to more innovative solutions. Create an environment where everyone feels respected and included, regardless of gender or other characteristics.

Lead with empathy and emotional intelligence: Develop strong leadership skills by leading with empathy and emotional intelligence. Understand the needs and concerns of your team members and be responsive to their well-being. This approach fosters a positive work environment and helps build strong, lasting relationships within the organization.

Flexible work policies: Recognize and accommodate the diverse needs of women employees by implementing flexible work policies. This could include options such as remote work, flexible hours, and part-time arrangements to help balance professional and personal responsibilities.

Promote transparent communication: Foster open and honest communication within your team. Encourage a culture where feedback is constructive and delivered with respect.

Encourage entrepreneurship: Encourage employees to think like entrepreneurs within the company. Provide them with the autonomy to explore new ideas, take calculated risks, and innovate within their roles. This not only boosts creativity but also instils a sense of ownership and commitment.

Rebecca D’leema: Shaping the Future with Determination and Trust
Rebecca D’leema’s journey from Head of Culture at InMobi to Vice President of Glance exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and visionary leadership. With over 13 years in various pivotal roles, she embodies determination and strategic finesse. Her career, marked by roles ranging from Head of Culture to ReMarketing and Community & Content, narrates a story of vibrant growth, change, and leadership.

Her ascent in the corporate world goes beyond mere career progression; it’s about trailblazing new paths and setting benchmarks in a dynamic industry. Like a skilled navigator, she has steered through varied roles with a unique blend of management acumen and innovative thinking.

Her message to aspiring women leaders is, “Embrace your unique perspective – it’s a formidable strength. Trust in your abilities and meet challenges with empathy and confidence. The path to leadership is not always smooth, but it’s rich with opportunities for growth and wisdom.”

Rebecca shares her guiding management principles:
Embrace trust as your guiding star: My leadership has always been anchored in trust and responsibility. Empowering my team with trust has fostered innovation and growth.

Nurture a growth mindset: Recognising and nurturing individual strengths is crucial. Encouraging my team to unlock their potential is not just about business growth, but also personal and collective development.

Open communication as the bedrock: My approach centres around transparency and open communication. Creating an environment where ideas are freely exchanged, and every voice is heard, has been essential.

Combating challenges with resilience: Navigating new sectors like gaming has its challenges. It’s the combination of resilience and a passion for innovation that drives me, particularly during demanding times.

Sonal Sarogi: Getting it done is all that matters

Even as she worked as a financial advisor for HNI Individuals with ICICI Wealth, she knew she wanted to do something bigger.

So, when she got married, Sonal Sarogi, found not just a life partner but also a business partner.

In 2015, she ventured into the world of entrepreneurship when the couple with two more friends, started DoneThing, a B2B same-day runner service.

Notably, Sonal’s strategic vision and dedicated efforts have cultivated the DoneThing brand, amassing a substantial customer base of approximately 2.5 lakh.

In the dynamic world of logistics, where precision and efficiency are paramount, women, she says are carving out their space, challenging stereotypes, and leading the way in various roles.

“Face your challenges, and turn them into opportunities for growth and innovation,” she advises women.

Here are her top five management rules:

Embrace collaboration: Success in logistics often hinges on effective collaboration and networking. We have worked tirelessly to build strong connections within the industry. Fostering relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, and clients has been instrumental in the smooth functioning of the same-day runner service.

Balancing empathy and authority: Effective leadership requires a delicate balance between empathy and authority. We understand the needs of our team while maintaining the decisiveness necessary for strategic decision-making.

Prioritizing work-life integration: Rather than aspiring for a perfect work-life balance, I focus on work-life integration. I understand that personal and professional aspects are intertwined, and success lies in finding a harmonious blend.

Promoting inclusivity: Inclusive leadership is a cornerstone for any woman entrepreneur. At DoneThing, we create environment where diverse voices are heard and valued.

Adapting to change: Flexibility and adaptability are key components of successful entrepreneurship. We embrace change, viewing it not as a challenge but as an opportunity to pivot, learn, and grow.