WOMEN SPECIAL ....................ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

ROLE OF WOMEN IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Ever since the opening up of the economy,Indian society has undergone a sea change with rising aspirations and breaking of stereotypes, especially with regards to the evolution of women.Women,in these 22 years,in increasing numbers have been playing the ‘Super Ninja’daily, juggling stiff demands at work and also at home.This rigorous drive to exceed their limits has taken them to leadership positions in business.

    While a mere 4.6 per cent of Fortune 500 companies have women CEOs currently,given the increasing relevance of the ‘human factor’ in management,increasing this percentage of ‘Business Ninjas’(women business leaders) is the impending need of businesses.

    This argument is further bolstered by the timeless fact that women play an anchor role in leading their families to happiness with an unyielding grit.Over time,as their horizon of opportunity has expanded and they have assumed leadership roles in businesses,they have become the natural pivots of responsibility there as well and have delivered successfully.Hence, women business leaders need to continue being the trailblazers.

    In the Indian scenario, however,a sartorial approach needs to be adopted,given its variegated social mix and comparatively nascent business evolution. While the finance sector dominates business leadership representation by women,given their natural instinct to insulate their families from risk and to choose the best possible value proposition,other sectors are following suit.

    However,there are hurdles to be overcome.One such significant hurdle is their hitting a roadblock of sorts at the peak of their careers that often coincides with the realities of childbirth,raising children and running nuclear families. It is at this juncture that the women need an enabling atmosphere not only in their social and personal spheres but also from their  companies. Women business leaders need to play a key role here by taking ‘a bold,mature and long-term’view of things.This will also mean active and inclusive engagement with the predominantly male decisionmakers to evolve ‘humancentric’policies that will create and adjust work environments to both nurture people and also achieve business goals.This will augur well for the companies as well since they will be able to make optimal use of the feminine qualities that are vital to India which is dominated by the service sector.This is also a real and an important necessity,given that the mindset in India is still biased towards women in leadership roles  and consistent effort needs to be made to bring about this change.

    Last but not the least, it would be naive to say that no matter what,even women business leaders will never give up bonding over the latest in fashion and accessories,after all, women always keep it real.

CHHAVI LEEKHA, GROUP PRESIDENT (BRAND AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS), SPICE GLOBAL TAS 140305