Being a key note speaker

Being the key note speaker at the launch of HCL Women Leaders Bouncing Board in Noida on December 6th was the first such interaction for me. I was invited to initiate a conversation with aspiring women leaders about what more can companies like HCL can do to “Build and Lead a Gender Sensitive workplace”

 

Going over my talking points I decided that I would share my views on the subject and looked at this as an equal opportunity for me to learn, be influenced as well as influence this forum. I decided to share my beliefs and perceptions and how I think women can be in executive positions in my organization, in HCL and general.

 

First to share my own beliefs and experiences:-

 

I have been in positions where I have had peers and colleagues, bosses, and subordinate employees in senior positions as women. I have interacted with several women in very influential positions who are successfully running their organizations. I also know that women have reached some very key positions globally as heads of states (PM of India Indira Gandhi, Chairman of UPA Sonia Gandhi, German Chancellor Angela Merkell) heads of large multinational companies (CEO Pepsico, Indra Nooyi, CEO of RDA, Mary J Burner, IT companies, CEO of HP Carly Fiorina, new CEO of IBM, Virginia Rometty), and very senior positions in Indian companies CEO of ICICI, Chanda Kochar, Shikha Sharma AXIS Bank. Off late the ratios in senior management are increasing significantly which is being perceived as their now breaking the glass ceiling.

 

Having given many examples I am convinced that equal potential exists in very woman as in any man, I would like to come to the main point of what will work for me. I feel if women use their full potential in their work then there should be no stopping them. Key issues that women have to deal with which many men may not have to deal with are:

 

  1. Family pressures – Husband, Children, Parents and In-laws. If solutions can be found where expectations are managed and work shared in the house hold giving equal freedom to women.
  2. Certain situations – where societal pressures are there- traveling late at night, traveling outstation alone, client entertainment, team building exercises etc. Go along with a trustworthy colleague or a subordinate, or ensure that the entire tours are carefully planned.
  3. Never expecting or asking for a differentiated treatment from peers, colleagues, and bosses and establishing your equal or superior credibility within your eco system. Always think if a male colleague was doing that job or role how would he do it and can you do an equal or better job.

If these three things are taken care of, which I think are not too many, I would not perceive any issues in women rising to any level in the organization.

 

Rajiv Sodhi
Sr.CVP & Cheif Customer Officer

HCL Technologies