MARCH

qualities are already established. Our
personal and professional orientations
are already rooted and shaped by the
time we start to work. The professional
degree is more for honing professional
skills and tools which may or may not
alter our basic attitudes even if we are
looking to change them. Hence we are
complete package by the time we arrive
at the corporate doorstep.
Simply put, people do not change
very much once they enter the work
place. The changes that place are mainly
a matter of consolidation of strengths or
a downward drift in behavior that needs
improvement.
The learning to be derived is : it is
very important how we shape ourselves
as girls. It will be easier if we groom
ourselves the way we want to be when we
are young, either way – as professionals
or homemakers. Or both!
Today, with women coming into
positions of power, they need to remain
sensitive to others needs. They must give
to their own juniors and peers what they
are looking for themselves. These include
congratulating, mentoring, promotions,
training, recognition, communication,
sharing and transparency. All that they
want for themselves, they must equally
become givers for those they supervise
and lead, independent of whether they
get what they need from their own
seniors.
Women are perceived to be givers
and sharers. Hence we must continue
to build on this positive perception and
belief. Perhaps we are ‘hardwire’ on this
when young. Hence we need not change
what is our strength just because other
do not endorse or support it.
You want to see integrity, courage,
discipline, hard work fair play, welfare.
Then you should provide them first. Do
not just wish you had all this for yourself
while you deny it to others. You should
be the change and lead the way.
Women today have a wide range of
choices to make all the time. Earlier
there were none whatsoever – exactly
like the TV channels. From no TV to
one Doordarshan channel with only a
black and white TV, to a wide variety
of colour television with hundreds of
competing channels. What a world of a
difference!
“Each woman is a leader for she
multitasks all the time. Woman are not
at the top of many organization yet
as they were late starters. Work-life
balance is now a global issue. Women
must learn to use and benefit from
technology such as net meetings, video
or teleconferences, etc”.
Similarly, the world of a woman
used to be her home and family. Her
basic security was the gold ornaments
she received at the time of marriage
and from her husband and sons. Her
journey was from her parent’s home
to her husband’s. She was expected to
serve unquestioningly. She personally
owned nothing. Everything belonged to
the elders and the husband. Anything
asked from her, she was expected to part
with. There was not much conflict, for
there was no choice.
Today it is choices all the way,
each choice filled with potential
conflicts- professional demands and
expectations, home responsibilities,
children’s needs, family relationships,
time constraints, physical capabilities,
financial status, social expectations, job
insecurities, and many more. How do
we handle these competing demands,
full of contradictions and conflicts?
How do we learn to deal with conflict
management? Who teaches us? What
kinds of solutions do we move towards?
How much time do we take to learn?
And do we?
One panelist said, “Each woman
is a leader for she multitasks all the
time. Woman are not at the top of
many organization yet as they were
late starters. Work-life balance is now a
global issue. Women must learn to use
and benefit from technology such as net
meetings, video or teleconferences, etc”
Another panellist said, “Do not
try and it all yourself. Don’t try to be
perfect in all. Never hesitate to take
help. Always give and share credit with
all those who made it possible for you
to succeed. Work or business is all about
people. Be ready for change. Handle the
challenge of change.”
Accept that there are differences. Be
yourself – be not a man.
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