Secrets unveiled

WOMEN@WORK

There is a great juggling act that goes on in the life of today’s woman as she fulfils her roles as daughter, wife, mother and career person. Her career aspirations hinge on several factors. How does she achieve the fine balance between a demanding job and her family? I spoke to several women, who are entrepreneurs and professionals, to find out their success mantras and their survival strategies. This is what they said:

Namrata Radhakrishnan worked in corporate America for four years before she found her calling in the field of art. Returning to India in 2003, she opened an art gallery, Kynkyny Art, that has held several art shows and represents a large group of artists as well. Managing home and a creative business has made Namrata aware of what really matters in life.

Success Mantra: “From Corporate America to Art India, the transition was easy. I have always enjoyed interacting with different people, and the change between the two worlds was fascinating. Earlier, I met my responsibilities but now there is a passion in what I am doing. The best part is my interaction with artists and the fact that I have been able to make a difference in their lives. So, my mantra for success is to be passionate about work. That makes a big difference. Also, don’t bite off more than what you can chew. My gallery has grown organically, ground up, bit by bit.”

Survival Strategy: “Don’t quit when things are down. There were many times when I have felt that it has been a struggle, but the motto is not to quit. During the recession, which I personally felt was more severe in the West than in India, business was down. Still, the gallery held art shows practically every single month. To survive, one needs to be upbeat and passionate about work.”

Malini Gulati is the co-founder of Origin, a Bangalore-based interior design company, which she and her friend-cum-business partner, Neetaa Kiran, launched as a joint venture. The company has executed several large-scale projects over the years, infusing spaces with contemporary design aesthetics. Malini manages the demands of work and home, that involves working her schedule around those of her children.

Success Mantra: “I believe that to stand out, it won’t do to be just different, but to be outstanding.  The strategy is to be outstanding in whatever work one does. In this line, we have to talk to clients, workers and suppliers. Each one comes with their own set of issues. Success also lies in seeing the big picture and working towards a job well done rather than bickering over small things, finding fault or making excuses. When you are wrong, go ahead and admit it. Work towards fixing the mistake. And if you are right, stick to your guns. Be firm yet diplomatic.”

Survival Strategy:

“Never grow a wishbone where your backbone should be! Do what you feel like doing rather than dreaming about what you would have done. In my case, it helps tremendously that I work along with my very good friend. One takes care of the company’s work when the other is busy elsewhere. Work becomes fun and meaningful when you have a friend as a business partner. I always try to prioritise my time for the family and keep my work away from family time.”

Charu Sapra is a familiar sight in all the events organised by the British Council, not only in the City but within Karnataka as well. She is the Head, Library and Culture Centre for British Council in Bangalore and is responsible for creating and managing cultural links between the UK and India, emanating from Bangalore. She manages her home efficiently and spends quality time with her daughter Sitara.

Success Mantra:

“Go by your gut feeling because then you rarely go wrong. And  question everything in life. I have realised, through personal experience, that every time I resisted my inner voice I made a wrong decision. And every time I suppressed the zillion questions hovering in my mind, I ended up in a mess. Give your hundred per cent to the task on hand. Life doesn’t give you too many chances, so you have to get things right the first time. I try to handle each task as if my life depends on it!”

Survival Strategy:

“Professionally, flexibility is the key. It’s nice to stick to your guns and defend your opinions, but in a workplace you have to play the flexibility card every now and then. It works even if you are leading a team. It empowers others who are working with you. People tend to have more trust in you and tend to become malleable themselves. It’s one of the great tools in a democratic leader’s kit. Personally, I have realised that it really depends on me if I want to celebrate the little happy moments in life or be grumpy about things that won’t even matter to me when I wake up tomorrow. If nothing else works and all survival tactics fail, good company and good food are always there to cheer you up!”

Rohini has been working for a London-based fund manager, Sarasin and Partners, whose clients include high net worth individuals, charities and other institutional investors.  She is responsible for its UK equity products. She has two children and loves spending time with them.

Success Mantra:

“The best thing about my job is that I learn something new every day and get to meet people who work in many different industries — people far cleverer and often more successful than me. Unlike in many other jobs, success or failure is clearly measured by how the portfolios I look after perform year after year. But it is not just about making money or outperforming benchmarks for clients who have entrusted their money in our care, but investing for the long term in a responsible way. I feel privileged to be doing what I do. My success mantra is to always do the best I can.

I am a great believer in team work.  I enjoy our individual success stories but I learn more from our failures. Having said that I don’t obsess over the mistakes. It’s far better to move on and channel my energy into the next opportunity or challenge. And of those there are plenty new ones every single day.  That’s why I love my job.”

Survival Strategy:

“The greatest struggle is always to balance working life with being a mum and all the guilt that comes with not being there for my children as much as I would like.  But I am blessed with a wonderfully supportive husband without whom I would never have got where I am today.”