Thaindian News

Bangalore, Oct 8 (IANS) Top female leaders from India’s corporate fraternity called on more women to join the business houses spread across the country and also take up the mantle of leadership in the mostly male-dominated corporate sector.
Biocon Ltd chairman and managing director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, State Bank of India regional head Arundhati Bhattacharya and several other women leaders of India Inc, who gathered here Wednesday to attend a conference, “Leading the Change”, said more women should aspire for top positions in the industry.

The conference was organised by the Women Business Leaders Forum (WBLF) in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry, Karnataka.

“I have realised that having women on board brings in diverse perspective and better values, especially in dealing with women issues at workplace. Today there is more demand for having women on board and more women should aspire for it,” said Majumdar.

Echoing Majumdar, Bhattacharya said: “Having women on board is advantageous, they play a harmonising role and are better listeners. I am glad more women are eager to join the service sector.”

According to women leaders, getting diversity on board will lead companies to perform better.

However, the participants rued that despite a number of female leaders in the corporate world, only 26 percent of India’s listed firms have women on board.

And only 10 percent of women are there in senior levels in the corporate world, as many women drop their career after marriage and becoming mother.

A best practice guide to attract and retain women talent at workplaces was also launched at the conference.

“The objective of the conference was to address issues like how to make leaders out of women as it involves setting goals, communicating ideas and delivering results,” said Priya Chetty Rajagopal, convener of WBLF and vice-president of StantonChase International.

Such meetings help “delve into effective decision-making processes, altering behaviours, recasting mindsets, organisational change, personal negotiation styles and investing in and managing relationships for greater impact,” Rajagopal told IANS.

Mrinalini Ingram of CISCO feels “pushing oneself to managing perceptions” is key in nurturing leadership qualities in women.

The conference, according to the participants that included an eclectic mix of women, starting from students to chief executives, provided ample opportunities for women from different walks of life to network and share personal experiences on their journey to success.