Living Life Well-Vishnupriya Saksena, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, Wells Fargo India Solutions

What are the challenges of being a senior women executive?

With position/seniority comes responsibility, especially in the current context where number of women at senior levels in the workforce is extremely low. In some sense, one has to act as role model. In most instances, we see that seniority at work and in one's family grow in parallel. Once you start climbing the corporate ladder, there is a greater demand on you and your time. While parents/in-laws age and need your care and attention, children too are growing up and require your quality time. Balancing this is surely a challenge and probably, a great place to be in, if you are able to impact all aspects positively.

Your educational background:

I have a Bachelor's degree with a Psychology major from Mumbai University. I also studied Public Relations at Xavier's Institute of Communication, Mumbai, and later did a diploma in Human Resource Management from Symbiosis, Pune.

Your Family Background:

 

I come from a family of lawyers. However, the current generation is primarily into banking and communications. Both my husband and I started our careers in the field of Communication and Public Relations. I have been married for over 15 years and have two children.

Working in male-dominated field of IT/ITES:

I would term it as higher male presence field rather than male-dominated. I give a lot of credit to my organization for making me feel comfortable. So far, I have not felt any discomfort or at a disadvantage in fulfilling my responsibilities, or even while voicing my opinion. I am an important part of the organization as anyone else. I think, the key to it lies in the organization you are part of. If the organization values the power of diversity and inclusivity, like mine does, it is never a challenge.

Does a Glass ceiling exist?

The ‘glass ceiling' continues to be an oft-discussed and debated metaphor in the corporate world especially in context of women professional growth. There is significant effort across the corporate world to break this myth and increasingly data shows that women are gaining ground in several ways - salary, management positions and high-profile jobs. While organizations are working towards providing equal opportunities and being more inclusive, the effort also needs to come from women, duly supported by a change in the societal fabric which challenges the stereotypical gender roles. Together, these will help women in breaking the ‘glass ceiling'.

Advice to working women:

Please exercise your right to make choices and do not have them thrust upon you. Career or home, the choice should be yours. And when you do make that choice, do not give up! Both these paths have equal challenges and are not easy to tread. Be committed, be proud and value yourself. There is much more that you can do than what the world tells you. The change needs to start with you and by you, in every possible way.

Hobbies:

Watching comedy shows and movies, doing up the house, meeting people, and traveling

Future plans:

Be it future or present, I have a simple philosophy of making a difference in whatever I am doing and wherever I am.

One-liners:

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain!

Your Fitness Mantra:

Laugh out loud

Your De-stressing Mantra:

Clichéd as it may sound, it's ‘retail therapy'! Watching a comedy movie/show also helps!

Where do you like to shop?

Anywhere and everywhere - from footpaths to malls

Your favorite Holiday destination:

The mountains

5 things you cannot live without:

ï‚· Talking

ï‚· At least one light moment in the day

ï‚· A communication device - phone etc.

ï‚· Something to do (cannot sit idle)

ï‚· My kids

Wake up at: 6 am

Morning activities: Exercise sometimes, check the BlackBerry for emails and schedule for the day at work, kitchen chores - breakfast, tea, snack box for kids, newspaper reading and getting ready for office

Leaving Office at: Get to office by 8.30 to 9 am

First half in office: Draw out a task list for the day, respond to emails, and connect with the team.

Lunch: At the cafeteria by about 12.30

Post Lunch: Meetings, emails and other work

Leaving office at: 6-6.30pm

Evenings: Spend time with the kids with school work; take calls/meetings, if any, with US counterparts; talking to or meeting a friend, and chat with family on the phone or in person. Watch TV for sometime before signing off.

Sleep time: 10.30-11pm

 

(ektasa@cybermedia.co.in)