"The lists are a good way to sell the magazines....but on an individual basis, I am not sure if it (the lists) does any good (to the persons)," Nooyi said when asked how did it feel to be featured regularly on lists compiled by publications like Forbes and Fortune.
Addressing an Economic Club gathering here, Nooyi recalled that in 2001 when she went home to tell her mother about her appointment as the Pepsico President, her mother reacted indifferently with a "dead pan" expression.
"My mother told me when you enter the house, you are a mom, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law. Next time you come home, leave the crown in the garage," Nooyi added.
It is better to "leave the lists in the garage", she said as the gathering burst into laughter and a huge applause.
Business magazine Forbes ranked Nooyi third on the 2008 and 2009 lists of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women, while Fortune placed her on the top spot of its annual list of Most Powerful Women in business for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
In 2008, Nooyi was named one of America's Best Leaders by US News & World Report.
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