Five tips from Arundhati Bhattacharya: Women Need to Make A Reputation Early

Arundhati Bhattacharya is a well-known Indian banker and presently holds the chairperson’s position for the State Bank of India. She happens to be the first woman head of India’s largest bank – SBI which has a history of 211 years. Arundhati was listed as the 25th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes in 2016. After demonetisation she has led the state lender through one of the sector’s most disturbed times, and now prepares for a mega-merger which if successful, will take SBI in the league of top 50 banks across the world. In a recent interview she talks about how important it is for women professionals to make an impression by delivering results early on in their careers. Her outspoken and candid ways put her in a league of her own.

Here are five take-homes from the lady who is often cited as the voice of the financial industry of our country:

Stay on Course: For aspiring women leaders the path may seem like driving down a highway with poor visibility, but the key is to stay on the course and push forward. As you go ahead, the road opens up.

No Short Changing: Women must take up challenges that come in their path. Very often, they pre-empt a lot of problems and don't take the lead.

Pre-emptive Mechanism: Women professionals need to deliver results early on in their career, because there is a gender bias that a woman prioritizes her family over the job and therefore, not be available at times when her presence is required.

Dealing with sexism at workplace:  We are in a country which doesn’t have a positive attitude towards gender equality. For dealing with this sexist mindset at workplace a woman has to create a reputation for herself to be taken seriously.

Teamwork: Teamwork is the ultimate key to success for going up the corporate ladder. Being a team player is very important, especially for a woman, because you need a good team to cover up for each other.

Pic Credit: NDTV Profit

Also Read: 4 women in the Forbes’ 100 richest Indians list