Barnalee Handique and Tania Roy ask inspiring women managers how easy or tough the climb up the ladder has been 

Now, buyers come to me

Art2Day is undoubtedly one of the best galleries in town. Ardently and actively promoting art, Priyamvada along with her husband Sanjeev has been successfully running the gallery for the past few years. “After I got married, I was managing my home for a few years. And then Sanjeev and I started the gallery. He was confident that I could handle it,” says Priyamvada Pawar, owner, Art2Day. 

The initial years were tough. Says she, “I had to prove everything I said. When I put up a show, I had to convince the artists and buyers. But once I proved myself, it was the other way around. They came to me.”

However, Priyamvada says that she never had to walk the tightrope like other business women managers. “My work environment is different from the corporate set-up. There, you have 10 bosses instead of one, and there are so many hard and fast rules and deadlines. It is less rigid here,” says she.

“Some people will appreciate you, while some will criticise you just for the sake of criticising,” she says, adding, “but even if you are being criticised, you are being noticed.” As long as you are determined to be a boss,  you'll succeed, criticism notwithstanding. "You need to train yourself to decide what needs attention and what you must let go. You have to use the right kind of judgement in every step,” she explains. 

Priyamvada reiterates that a woman boss has to be strong. “I was confident about myself. Also, my family, artists and buyers supported me,” quips she. Agreeing that female bosses handle situations more efficiently, she says, “Management qualities are embedded in us because management starts right at home.” Along with their accomplishments, female bosses have heightened sensitivity. "They are more understanding and go out of their way to help a subordinate if s/he has a genuine problem."

How you project yourself

Although now, we have more women in managerial ranks — Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo CEO), Chanda Kochhar (ICICI CEO) — a woman manager's competence is often questioned. It is mostly men who hold the topnotch jobs. Do women have to be extra-competent to be recognised as effective? "No," says Rekha Krishan, CEO, Ray Advertising, and Vice-President, (Acting President), Poona Club. "It's how you project yourself. If you project yourself as a woman, the world will see you as a woman. In business, you have to project yourself as a professional." Gender does not affect being a boss. "It is the ability of an individual that makes it either tough or easy... you are respected depending on your capabilities," iterates she.

However, unlike successful men who do not have to worry about when and if to become parents, successful women often have to make a choice between career and family. Explaining why there are very few women in top positions, Rekha says, "For most women, their priority is home and kids. They are not willing to give up their homefront. However, with greater facilities — creches and other support systems — women are better-equipped to balance their home and career."

Both women and men bosses make mistakes. But if a woman boss makes a mistake, she's criticised more than her male counterpart. If she is lenient, she's thought to be emotional. If she's tough, her subordinates feel she's insecure. "This is applicable to both genders," refutes Rekha. "To me, an individual, male or female, should have the ability to handle a situation, admit mistakes and rectify them as quickly as possible without sitting on an ego. How you take your team ahead is the deciding factor." 

It is an open ballgame

“I have never bothered about the gender divide. To me, men and women are equal, competent and dynamic. Their ultimate goal should be to perform, inspire their team members and bring out the best results. A boss is the captain of the ship and people should look up to her and emulate her qualities,” says Geetanjali Kirloskar, chairperson, Kirloskar Technologies. But at the same time she is also the backbone of her family. No matter how busy she is, she must find time for her home and hearth. “Yes, I agree that it is a woman who holds her family together. Basically, it is a work-life balance. If her career is too demanding, she should give it up for some time, till her children grow up,” she adds.

In 2006, after PepsiCo announced that Indra Nooyi would become its new CEO, the headline of New York Times said, 'A Woman to Be Chief at PepsiCo'. No headline has ever announced 'A Man to Be Chief at.... So does the corporate structure favour men?  “No, it is an open ballgame and anyone and everyone can participate and prove themselves. In India, the glass ceiling is much less.”

Women are under scrutiny all the time, whether at home or office. And since she is emotional, sentimental and less aggressive, her decisions regarding her workmates can at times be biased. "But don't let criticism affect you," advises Geentanjali. "At the workplace, subordinates may nitpick and gossip, but that doesn't deter me. In fact, it has made me stronger, resilient and determined."

I am what I am

"In this male-dominated world, everything is tough and challenging. Yes, I do believe that women need to prove themselves all the time. Whether at home or in office, she is always under a lot of surveillance. Many a time, when things go wrong, she has to take the responsibility, whether it's her fault or not. But, I have never felt daunted," says Nivedita Hazarika, Secretary Development Authority, Jorhat, Assam; Deputy Director, Town and Country Planning; Administrator, Jorhat Municipal Board. But this gritty and determined lady also feels that women are more efficient in handling subordinates. "Looking after the home and work gives her a better perspective and it becomes easier for her to deal with different people," she says.

Nivedita has always loved challenges and looked forward to bringing about changes. She says, "It depends on the attitude, approach, belief and inclination of an individual. Till today, I have been successful in handling a lot of issues with tact and diplomacy, which have brought in innovative changes in society."

But too much of office gossip may break a person. "Initially, I too was under a lot of pressure and tried to be in everyone's good book. But later on, I realised that it doesn't make a difference to anyone's life. I am what I am. I developed a positive attitude and took everything in my stride."

We have an edge

It's not a question of how bossy you are. It's how you win over your employees. And Arundhati, Managing Director, Plazma Technologies, seems to be having the right trick up her sleeves. “Over the years, it's only got easier. We are good listeners. We have a more holistic approach. Women definitely have an edge over men. I love being a woman and a boss!” she says. 

“Women learn the art of negotiating early in life. So, they are definitely better equipped to handle situations. Look at the way they manage their parents, siblings, husbands / partners, children, friends and even their maids!!” quips she.

But no matter how good a manager she is, her actions are always scrutinised. “A woman tries to please everyone she possibly can, she works harder, tries even more. At times, I observe women looking for more acceptance and recognition amongst colleagues, family, friends or even their children,” says Arundhati. But she is hopeful that as more women climb the ranks, this attitude will change.    

 Gender discrimination is no longer an issue today. "It used to exist a decade ago. Not anymore. I know for a fact that many companies consciously are choosing to improve their male-female employment ratio as a policy."