Meet Sindhu Gangadharan, First Woman To Head A German-Tech Giant

Making her mark in a male-dominated space, Sindhu Gangadharan from Bengaluru is the first woman to head a German tech giant. She took charge as the managing director of SAP Labs India in September. Born and brought up in Bangalore. Gangadharan today is leading a 8, 000 plus strong team.

According to The New Indian Express, Gangadharan says, “It’s what you bring to the table, articulating what you know, and bringing your best self to work that takes you to the top, gender not being a consideration.”

Key Takeaways:

• Sindhu Gangadharan is the first woman to head SAP Labs India, a German Tech Giant. She is the managing director of the company.
  
• Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Gangadhar spent 18 years in Germany and has been relocated back to Bengaluru.
• She joined SAP Labs India in 1999.

Gangadharan's upbringing and her idea of evolving women

Gangadharan was brought up in Bangaluru where she lived with her family. She completed her education from the Bengaluru University and began her career at SAP Labs India in 1999 when it was still located in ITPL. Spending 18 years of her career life in Germany, Gangadharan never lost the connection with the city where she spent significant parts of her life. She says, “People in Germany used to ask if it was any different for me, growing up in India, and I always said it wasn’t. Growing up in Bengaluru, my mother had the same expectations from me that she had of my two brothers.” Gangadharan has again been relocated in Bengaluru as the managing director of SAP Labs India.

“It’s what you bring to the table, articulating what you know, and bringing your best self to work that takes you to the top, gender not being a consideration.”

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Speaking about the new generation of women evolving in the country who are no less than the male counterpart, Gangadharan says, “Women are evolving away from compartmentalisation. Our focus is on achieving a flow between all aspects of our lives,” When she finally entered the auditorium as the first woman head, the expectations of the audience was certainly overturned as they were expecting a male leader. “There’s initial apprehension conveyed through their body language, but they soon realise she knows what she’s saying,” added Gangadharan.

Work-life balance

Gangadharan is a mother of two and has been relocated after spending as many as 18 years in another country. Indeed her personal and work-life are deeply interconnected. But what does Gangadharan have to say about it? According to The New Indian Express, Gangadharan believes in enjoying every part of a journey and learning from it. She further says, “These were often discussions on this in Germany, and I always felt there’s nothing like work-life balance. Work is also a significant part of one’s life.”

“Women are evolving away from compartmentalisation. Our focus is on achieving a flow between all aspects of our lives”

A lesson of cultural inclusivity that Gangadharan learnt

A woman who believes in moving forward and learning new things rather than dwelling on what she has lost is an inspiration for many aspiring women. Among different lessons of life that Gangadharan imbibed throughout her journey till now, she specifically talks about cultural inclusivity. Gangadharan says, “When I was on my maternity break, I came across many who would make an effort to speak in English. At that point, I realised that when others were making an effort to make me feel comfortable, I should also be doing the same. It was like embracing the culture,” she says. She soon realised how it could break barriers and create a sense of inclusion. She further added that cultural inclusivity is about overcoming inhibitions within oneself. It could break barriers and create a sense of inclusion.

“I always felt there’s nothing like work-life balance. Work is also a significant part of one’s life”

Cultural inclusivity, in addition to thought leadership and customer-centric approach, has been the strategy of her successful work-life. Indeed, Gangadharan gives us goals for an inclusive work and personal life!

Picture Credit: New Indian Express

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Rudrani Kumari is an intern with SheThePeople.TV