Women at work: The story of success

Helen Keller once said: "I am only one; but still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do." She was an American author, a political activist, and a lecturer. But above all, Helen was the first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904.

Life always presents us with opportunities, and it is the choices that we make that sketch out our future for us.

Women have left a footprint across various professions -- be it outer space or human rights. The gender gap is narrowing across different industries, and women are today working their way to strategic positions in the boardroom. We are using our strengths to impact the economic, political and social development of our nation and the globe.

Our success can partially be attributed to various gender inclusivity initiatives that have given us growth opportunity. However, a large part of it also stems from the passion and responsibility that individuals have displayed in leveraging these opportunities positively.

The author heads Organisation Development at Infosys BPO.

It is a level playing field for women today in the workplace. By being able to understand and celebrate the differences between ourselves and others, we not only achieve success in our personal lives, but also in our professional lives as well. We are prepared to compete in the job market under the same terms, adapting to the same norms, memes and ethics as our male counterparts do. We have proved that we are able to function as efficient and effective employees across all levels of organisational hierarchy.

Today, after 14 years of professional experience, I am heading Organisational Development at Infosys BPO. I have achieved this level of success because of various factors that have contributed to my personal and professional growth.

I started my career in the field of HR right from the shop floor in a company in the manufacturing sector. However, this was done in parallel to a research doctorate that I was pursuing; an opportunity that I got, post my Master's degree. Over time, while I managed the demands of an intense doctoral thesis, I was presented with opportunities to work in multiple roles across different sectors, and traveled to different places. It was the ability to re-invent myself and my approach toward work and life that helped me to juggle between my educational growth and corporate career. It is important for one to weigh the positive results in any decision that one makes and leverage it to add to your profile. This comes from the strong desire to succeed in what you do.

Another factor that helped me grow in my career was active participation in various industry bodies which gave me an opportunity to learn from my peers while making significant contributions that would add value to my field of expertise.

Self-belief and confidence have also been instrumental in developing my career. I have never looked for a reference point, but have always set my own standards. This has allowed me to be a pioneer in my field, and given me the first-mover advantage. As a woman, the perception of who you are comes from the image that you project at the workplace. The portrayal of a career-oriented focus and the ability to co-exist with your colleagues goes a long way.

Today, traditional barriers that existed in the workplace are breaking down. Companies are introducing various policies to address possible challenges; women are being given equal opportunities as men. The constant focus on women having to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives is actually a misnomer. It comes down to the basic issue of which aspect of your life takes precedence at any given time. If you have established yourself in the workplace, and proven your capability, organisations fully understand and respect your priorities, and give you the freedom that you require.

My advice to all women at the workplace is to embrace learning opportunities and develop personal growth. Although success may be a function of several factors, it is important to understand what you want to achieve, and then maximise opportunities based on this understanding.

The event of International Women's Day is a global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women, and reinforces the fact that women have indeed come a long way, and are being respected for their success over the years. For every young woman across the nation and the world, the celebration of this day is a message to stand up and strive for excellence. We are being given equal opportunities and we should make optimum use of them.