By Shipra Tripathi
Vice President & Head Corporate Global Marketing & Communications
The corporate ladder and male domination have been synonymous for a very long time. Several reasons can be found for this, and the most plausible ones are that women did not feel the urge to climb this ladder and it was ‘unladylike’ to do so.
Male domination of the corporate sector is not something to deride them for; after all, the traditional role of men has been to get the moolah organized to run a home, which has largely been a woman’s domain. How many of the women who work have not felt guilty and stressed because of their job? I believe one hundred per cent of us feel this at one time or another; and it is because of us women who love their homes and their jobs equally. But it is our need to express ourselves better and to self-actualize that makes us want to do both, and why not?
Here’s my own formula to make the most of both fronts:
• Be a professional, not a woman at work. Even if it is difficult, be as professional as you can at the workplace; don’t look to be differentiated because you are a woman. You are responsible for your work; take your work very seriously but yourself with a pinch of salt. Leave your ego at a safe place. Don’t expect to be offered a chair or any other special social niceties just because you are a woman. You are not in a social place.
• Focus on your work. Stay away from work gossip, definitely don’t start rumours as it reinforces the ‘created’ perception that all women gossip. We all know that men love to gossip but since perceptions are already formed and difficult to break, it is important to reinforce positive pictures.
• Believe in yourself. You are the best at what you do, and you need to believe that. If at any juncture you feel the need, re-train yourselves to feel confident. The important thing is to feel sure of yourself, don’t beat yourself up in self-doubt, speak to people and you will realize that you are better than most.
• Be open to inputs and constructive criticism. Indulge in brainstorming, be open to new inputs from your colleagues. Be in touch with your peers on a regular basis and don’t allow yourself to be left out of meetings and discussions. Don’t feel short-changed if you are not able to participate in discussions that are not your field of work/expertise; there are always links which you can support best.
• Take on new things. Create new avenues of growth for the company. Believe that there is a constant need for change and be the first one to embrace it. Incorporate change as a basic ingredient in your work.
• Be a role model. Being confident, well dressed, well read and articulate, are aspects of being an active member of a healthy corporate structure. Encourage others, women and men, to achieve their potential.
Professional organizations recognize competence, but to reiterate my first thought, it will still be ‘unlady-like’ to climb ladders.
Feedback: shipra.tripathi@kbl.co.in
